Jill in Korea

Monday, November 28, 2011

Spelling Bee!

This afternoon is the city wide 5th grade English Spelling Bee! This is 대현 David and 규은 Michelle, also known as the 2012 English Spelling Bee champions! Or at least they will be known as that later this afternoon! I've been working with them for the past week and a half and they're incredible!

These may not look like difficult words to spell, but I didn't just say the word and have them spell it. I read the definition of the word in English. They then had to figure out what I was talking about AND write it correctly! I'm telling you! They're gonna win it!

...and when they do, I'm going to treat us all to a little ice cream! :)

*** UPDATE: Michelle went further than David, but neither won. SAD. To rub more salt on the wound, Aaron's student won 2nd place! Way to go A!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Things that made me laugh this week!

1. I had a chest X-ray done for a medical check to renew my E-2 VISA and when I was finished, I asked to the technician, "Ta Desayo?" (Am I finished?) His broken English response came out as a simple, "Go home."

2. I asked Aaron to pick up a thermometer from the store before he came over last Monday to take care of me. When he got to my place, he told me the store only had rectal thermometers, but he bought one for me anyway. I was mortified and kept asking if he was serious! He kept a straight face for a good 5 minutes as he opened the package and kept saying that he was so sorry, but it was all they had. LIAR!

3. Aaron gave me his best rendition of Marcel the shell with shoes on.

(check www.youtube,com if you've never seen it!) It was dead on!

4. My co-teacher told me her skin is really white because she eats a lot of vegetables. hmmm?!

5. My other co-teacher asked me if it's common for Americans to give presents at Christmas time?! This just made me laugh for some reason. She's obviously never seen an American mall during the month of December!

6. Text conversation between Aaron and I at 7:30pm on Wednesday:

A: Wanna meet me at the casino?

J: I'm in the middle of a project.

A: What project?

J: I'm making a snow globe.

A: Don't be a stick in the mud!

J: I'm not even close to being a stick in the mud!

A: You are at home making a snow globe. That is the epitome of stick in the mud.

What are you 65 years old?

J: Touché. I'm on my way.

7. I was standing in line in the school cafeteria and a first grader called me "Pinocchio" because I have a "long nose!"

8. Conversation between Aaron and I Thursday after Thanksgiving dinner:

J: Oh, I wanna see if I can find a video of Justin Beiber performing on the Today Show.

A: I already watched it. It wasn't very good.

*** Yes, my 29 year old boyfriend searched for and watched a Justin Beiber concert online! LOL

It's always nice to have a good laugh, isn't it?!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Turkey dinner for two.

,,, and by turkey, what I really mean is chicken. :( Seriously, why don't Koreans eat turkey?! It's been over 4 years now since I've had a slice and whenever thanksgiving rolls around I'm reminded of it's faint memory.

Regardless, Aaron and I had a nice little Thanksgiving dinner for two with 3 dishes: baked chicken (thanks to the little chicken place down the street), mashed potatoes, and home made stuffing (thank you Pinterest)!

and for desert, a home made chocolate cake. This one was shared between the two of us! The rest of it is coming to school with me tomorrow to be shared! :)

Hope everyone's Thanksgiving Day was filled with thankfulness, football, good weather, family, friends, laughter, relaxation, and lots and lots of ~~chicken~~ turkey!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Just doesn't feel...

like the holidays around here. :(

Maybe it's because my family is thousands of miles away, or because I'm at work today! Maybe it's because my Korean students have never heard of eating turkey or pumpkin pie. Or maybe because no one really decorates their homes for Christmas here, so the idea of assembling and decorating my 2 foot tall faux Christmas tree tomorrow seems a little out of place.

To be honest, when I think about having a huge dinner with relatives all around, and then relaxing and watching football while eating leftovers all day, it makes me wanna cry a little. Just wish that's what my day had in store today.

On the other hand, Thanksgiving is all about being thankful... So, with that said, I'm thankful I have a job I love that allows me to save money and travel around the world. I'm thankful that even though it's a holiday and I'm at work, I'm only teaching a total of an hour today and have 7 hours to do whatever I want in my classroom. I'm thankful that I have a boyfriend who is leaving work early to start cooking a special dinner for us. I'm thankful for the hour long skype sesh I had with my mom and dad this morning, and I'm thankful for my family and friends... just wish I were a lot closer today to be thankful with you and stuff my tummy full of all that yummy thanksgiving food!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Talent Show Extravaganza!

Last Friday was the annual Dae Gyo Elemenetary School Talent Show! It's hands down, one of my favorite days of the year as an elementary teacher. There's nothing better than getting to see your adorable kiddos dancing about on the stage, singing cute songs, and banging on traditional drums!

Like clockwork, vendors had set up tables outside my school to sell chinsy fake flowers and lollipop gifts for the parents to give to their kids after the show.

The teachers had worked really hard to creatively display their student's best work on the school walls leading to the auditorium...

The show started at 9:30am sharp with an introduction from the Vice Principal, Principal, and head teacher.

Then, it was time!!! The kids were hyped up, behind the stage, ready for their debut!

1st grade was up first! How awesome are these costumes! Korean teachers are given a budget to buy custom fit costumes for each of their students for the annual talent show.

The other half of the 1st grade class came out in black, waving their gold glittery pom poms and prancing around like little butterflies!

The 2nd graders sang and did a traditional dance about Korean playground games.

6th grade boys did their own rendition of a pop music video!

But their female counterparts definitely stole the show when they came out with GIGANTIC shimmering bows on their heads and dancing to Roly Poly, one of the most popular pop songs in Korea right now!