Hellooooooooo Over There!!!!!!
First, I am writing to address the 110 million (ok, slight exaggerationJ) emails that I received about N. Korea. I am going about life here as normally as before without any interruptions. As it stands, we just stay abreast of the news and keep on trucking. No one seems overly worried and most agree that N. Korea has basically signed their own death certificate by challenging China, their closest and basically only ally. That said, tensions are minimal...there was more about the Yankee’s pitcher crashing his plane than nuclear threats. So, in the words of ...well somebody...’”I’m aiiiight!”
Second, things are absolutely wonderful here. I LOVE where I live more and more each day! I am learning so much in my Korean class. And, what makes it even better is the fact that I use everything I learn in class immediately. So, it sticks better. In my building, there is everything. I could exist without ever leaving... there are restaurants, bridal zones, a state of the art gym, my belly dancing classes, three convenience stores, and the list goes on... I haven’t explored the entire building. I’ll wait till it’s really cold, because u know I am not going to be running around Seoul in the snow...
Classes are excellent. It’s hard to believe we are already finishing week 7 of this term. I am celebrating the highest retention rate (got an award!) and the company’s CEO sat in on my class during his visit to the campus. He told me that I was an excellent teacher and that he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the class. I also have been enjoying similar comments from students and parents. It makes me feel good that I can do something so well...but I feel better knowing that I am going to get the maximum bonus at the end of the term (4 more weeks!!) J
My students are HILARIOUS!!! They are the most clever kids with whom I’ve ever worked. I can’t even think on that level sometimes. For instance, this week, I decided to make some rules for our second hour activity, the creation and performing of a dialogue in which the students get new vocabulary and a quick prompt. Each week, in every class, no matter the prompt...the end result is always either murder, calling the police for something, bribery, or something involving a bleeped swear. So, I banned all of the above from their dialogues. At first, they were upset and complaining (to which I flung my arm up-in complete hokey doke fashion- and started singing ‘Jimmy cracked corn and I don’t care’. They have a LOVE/HATE relationship with that song!! J ) but then, they got creative...damn kids. They still shot each other in a fit of anger but the other person didn’t die. They called the AMBULANCE...not the police... I even had students who referred their cases to the FBI instead of the police. In other words, they went all around my rules to achieve the same goal...violence. (I must admit, I was impressed and I laughed my head off during the performances!)
My social life is likewise busy. I went shopping the other day and bought myself a very Korean mini sweater-dress! I am still in shock. It is to be worn with my brand new boots that I had custom made for $100 dollars. (I’d pay almost that much for boots that hurt in the US!) Wait until I put all of that together...it’s going to be great....
I am always gone somewhere with somebody. No rest for the weary. So if you are trying to reach me but getting voicemail, DON”T GIVE UP! I check it and hear all messages. I just can’t always call you back due to time differences. When time goes back at the end of the month, we will still be 14 hours ahead of you. But overall, all is well. Life is good. No complaints from me!! I miss you all soooo much. I can’t wait to send you new pictures...just too busy for the camera lately... but I’ll get back on the ball. Attached is the most recent picture of me... Now, I have already been likened to chik-o stick candy, circus peanut candies, and orange sherbet popsicles. I will send a new one with more muted clothing next time.
Love you!!
Doriannicole
