Are great - most of the time. Today I had two students in different classes tell me that I looked like Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I was wearing a white and gold pencil skirt, a blue shirt, and a navy blue headband, so I guess I can see the connection, but looking like Alice was not exactly on my mind as I got dressed for work. The two girls in my highest level, Jeanna and Christine, have now decided to call me Barbie, instead of Haley, or Pepi, which means "Barbie" in Korean. They've also called me Fashionista Barbie, too. I'm just waiting to hear what they come up with next. I want to ask them if they think all blondes look like Barbie. I also want to ask them if they think Americans are good looking because we are so different from Koreans. I think most of the Korean women are beautiful, so I'm curious if the reverse is true.
My first class of students is really testing my patience. They are wonderful kids and I love them individually, but some of the boys can be a serious pain in the butt. They don't pay attention, they talk all the time, they constantly interrupt each other and myself, and I don't think they've ever heard of the concept of using "inside voices" when they're inside! They literally scream at each other, and my room is like a concert hall, so it only makes it louder. I find myself yelling just so they can hear me. My third class, my beginners, are wonderful, too, but they NEVER do their homework. Korean children go to school so much here. They are in class during the day, then they go to atleast one or two different hagwons (after school programs) for math, English, music, etc. So whenever I assign homework, they never do it because they have so many other things going on. I feel like I'm in a catch 22 - I know that I have to give them homework if they want to improve their English, but I feel bad because they have so much else to do. It should be an interesting year.
I am really excited though for Halloween! I was telling my boss (Mrs. Kim) about the Charlie Brown movies and she went out and ordered a bunch: Halloween, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter! So on Friday, Oct. 29 I'm going to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" with my students. I found a bunch of Halloween crossword puzzles and word searches for them to do, and I'm also going to give them a worksheet that talks about the history of Halloween on it. I'm going to bring in candy and let the kids bring in their own snacks so we can have a "Halloween party." I'm planning on doing similar things for Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. I think the kids will have fun learning about the holidays we celebrate in the U.S. and it'll make me feel a little more at home.
I don't have any big plans for this weekend. Just running, Church, etc. I ran for an hour and a half on Monday and I felt pretty good. I just got all the information for the half marathon that's on Nov. 14, so I'm trying to get my mileage up so I don't die. I'm excited to run through a new part of the city.
Give someone a hug today because I wish I could hug all of you!!
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