Christmas in Seogwipo

The Christmas spirit seems alive and well here in South Korea. In November, when we visited Seoul, there were already plenty of large buildings plastered with beautiful Christmas decorations. Starbucks is selling Christmas thermoses, Christmas cards can be bought anywhere (Korean Christmas cards are a hoot), and there is a large Christmas tree of lights in the middle of the rotary. This Saturday most of the foreigners in Seogwipo came together for drinks and festivities dressed in whatever tacky sweaters they could find. The winner of the sweater contest came dressed in a fabulous turquoise sweater with pink sequenced flamingos... Sunday a number of us had a small potluck and had a Secret Santa gift exchange followed by a bit of caroling. This weekend should be nothing but love and trouble. Over 30 foreigners will be gathering in Jungman to celebrate Christmas together. 30 of us will be staying in a pension that we've rented. It will be delightful to be in the company of so many wonderful, merry, drunken souls.

We could very well have a white Christmas in Seogwipo, the warmest place in South Korea. It snowed for the last 4 days (and some of it stuck for a whole night!)

Merry Christmas, and as always, much love from Seogwipo!

Compulsive lying and BB guns

School has been grand as of late. The other day the children took turns telling me how there day was going and what they did over the weekend. It didn't take long before students just started chatting and completely ignoring the student who was talking. To help generate interest in what was being said, I told the students that they now had a choice - they could tell me what they did that weekend, or they could make up something completely false. Most students had difficulty understanding what I had said, but Jerry, who is one of the class clowns picked it up right away. He proceeded to tell me about his double life as a fifth grade Korean student and a world famous Californian chef who prepares food for famous clients in China. He told me all about his house in China and about how the previous weekend he had served food to President Obama. (Jerry has continued to use this identity for himself every time I ask about his weekends.) Oscar, who is certainly the best speaker in class, told me about his balloon travels around the world - he even made a stop in Kansas. Other students were not impressed by any of this and continued on with the usual, "I play computer game."... lame.

While I was listening to Emperor's account of his weekend, Oscar had pulled out his electronic dictionary (complete with audio and visuals) and was presumably looking up useful vocabulary for our discussion. Shortly after a small crowd had gathered over Oscar's shoulder a quite electronic voice said, "male sexual organ." Apparently small boys worldwide share a common fascination.

On a more serious note... BB guns have become an issue in the last week. Yesterday I had to tell seven different students that guns are not allowed in school... Not cool

I haven’t written anything for a bit, but that in no way reflects what I’ve been up to. I suppose I’ve found a groove at this point (although I don’t entirely dislike the word “routine”, I don’t particularly feel like using it here). Each weekday holds the same obligations, but I’m always left with ample Weston time. At this point my leg is almost completely healed, making it increasingly easy to spend the majority of my free time out and about. I’ve also recently acquired a bicycle so my range of daily explorations is steadily growing. Having the schedule of a hagwon teacher leaves me with zero complaints. Depending on the day my earliest class begins at 2:00 or 2:45 which is fantastic, because the AM is the most beautiful time for adventures in the Land of the Morning Calm. Though I’ve tried to become a morning person, I’m consistently getting a full night a rest, so at times I start the day as late as 10. Most days I venture down to Oedolgae or some other area along the coast, but if I’m unable to make it to the coast I at least climb up to the roof for a glimpse of Hallasan and the ocean... I’m going outside.

These are some pictures from the area around Sojeonbang, a small waterfall I like to visit in the mornings.