Flying by

Tuesday September 10th
Pretty standard for a Tuesday. Not a single thing really stands out. France was good. We did art and writing. Australia we did our speech and reading, and Denmark we did good manners. For good manners, I had to read a book, and this was not a short book. It took a while to read, then the students had to answer questions about it, cut out pictures and glue them and put them in order. So, instead of teaching 2 subjects, I spent the entire time on good manners.
Firstgraders were once again not well behaved... I am thinking it has a bit to do with the stories. This one the kids never seemed too interested in. Not sure why.
My afternoon Denmark kids were good. Most of them payed pretty good attention and offered up good ideas and help regarding the upcoming debate (I was doing my debate class with them)/ So much different than my old Korea class. I did not have to talk the whole time and give them answers. I was pretty happy about that.
I went by Emart after school and I picked up another wireless adaptor for the computers (I noticed one teacher move one from class to class). I wanted to use the computer in France, but could not because it was lacking its wireless adaptor. I also bought a shower head (yes, I bought a cheap one from the hardware store not too long ago. but its only function was on and off). This one has the rain, a jet, and mist. Still a cheap showerhead... but oh well. I have only one way to stay clean, so I might as well get one that works well.
I watched 2 episodes of the wire and then went to bed.

Wednesday September 11th.
Juliet cried right as class was starting. I feel kind of bad about it. She normally doesnt speak Korean in class (speaking Korean looses a star). Well Kelly was speaking Korean and was warned several times. I told her if anyone speaks Korean again, they will lose a star. Well Kelly asked Juliet a question in Korean, and Juliet responded in Korean. They both lost a star. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to get asked a question and have to respond in a different language. But... I had to stick to my guns. We did science. The project was hard. I had to go into snack time to finish it it. Same with all of the other teachers too. Part was really easy. But then we had to tie string onto a spring, and then tie the string onto the axle (we were making a fire truck that moves). Then it had to be taped to the axle (idea was that pulling back on the fire truck would stretch the spring, and letting go the fire truck would move in the opposite direction). The tape supplied is horrible. And getting kids to tie knots with small pieces of sting is darn near impossible. So a far too hard project.
Australia was good. Denmark was good. Regina seems to be fitting in a little better. I had her sitting next to Erica. The girls have a tendency to draw pictures of each other... We were supposed to be drawing pictures of sports... but all of the girls drew eachother, and the first girl Erica drew was Regina. Its funny listening to them talk. What color of hair do you want is a question that always makes me chuckle. It is always like yellow, pink, red... And they always give compliments to the pictures they dray. So, Angelina drew all of girls that were there. Each picture of each girl was different. And each one had a different compliment... Oh, shes really pretty, she is cute.... but the girls were not set. Sometimes Erica was one, Regina another, Chloe another, Soo another.... and the next minute, they were different. I dont understand the logic of it, but it is cute to watch. Regina is still a little awkward. But is getting better. The more I have her sit with the girls, the more they hold hands and dance and hug. I think the more camaraderie there is, the better she is fitting in when they are not sitting together.
In first grade I once had to pull Wendy out of class to talk to her... I warned her if I had to do it again, I would take her to Louise (not something I like doing). She kept it up, and I had took her out of class again, and took her arm and brought her to Louise. She was almost in tears promising she would be good and wouldn't misbehave any more. She did not want to go. All of the kid were shocked when I walked back into class without her. Wendy came back 15 minutes later and all of her work was done. She behaved for the rest of class. The rest of the class behaved too! While she was out of the class, David took a piece of candy she had on her desk. When she came back, I made David apologize to her and write an apology note to her.
My one on one with Chloe was good. Kids are awesome. She makes up games for us to play... its great because it is fun, and she has to explain the rules to me in English. So, it keeps her happy, me happy, and she is still practicing English. It is win win win.
I brought my 3rd graders Ramen because it was a review day. Just dry ramen. Super popular snack. Anyway, they just sprinkle the topping on it. Most of the kids chose the hot topping. Halfway through class I had to take everyone to the water machine to get water. I literally had kids sweating and turning red in class because it was sooo spicy. I tried it, and it was not at all spicy to me. When we get back, the kids all keep eating it even though I told them we would not go get more water. The started sweating again... When class was over, most ran to the water fountain to drink more water.
About the spicy thing... it is interesting. There are some foods that I think are super spicy, and the Koreans think nothing of it. Then there are foods they find super spicy, and I think nothing of it. It is really interesting how different people taste and feel spices different ways. Sometimes when we go to eat and order spicy, the Koreans take a second look, and ask us if we are sure... we think it is a little warm but not as bad as they make it out to be.... but it can be the reverse too.  Just interesting.
Rode the bus home again... The weather is starting to get nice to just walk.... But I just like riding the bus...
We were going to play Settlers, but that fizzled out pretty quickly. Everyone was tired. I finished watching the wire... the last episode disappointed me quite a bit. I am not sure it was because it means it is over, or just because I did not get the closure I wanted (nor did the stories end as I wanted).

Thursday September 12th
Gym day. So I spent part of the day grading diaries and journals. So, with my kindy kids, nothing exciting happened. My firstgraders had a test today, so that was an easy class. My afternoon Denmark had vocabulary... not a great class, but not bad either. I did not try to do any vocab games. I'll have to try that maybe next week.
After work, I was going to go to Hongdae, looking for a Hanbok (Traditional Korean Clothes). But after work, I just did not feel like it, and I figured that it was probably closed anyway, so I decided to go on a little walk. My walks brought me past Costco. I had not eaten dinner yet. So I made one of the best worst decisions I could make. I bought a Costco Membership! Not for the snack bar (though I definitely did enjoy it). Ama, who has the costco card that we use, is leaving at the end of this month, so we will have no costco card. Costco is a great place for candy for students, and other supplies. Plus, buying food in bulk is not a bad thing either. I can go buy dumplings, quesadilla supplies, bacon, drinks, food, snacks, lightbulbs, and potentially even clothes (they have American sizes). Not bad for 30 bucks.
So, today was pretty much a nothing day. Tomorrow is Friday! This week has flown by.... wow.