School, Seoul, and Sundaes!!!

So, I just completed the second week of school. It went really well now that I am getting to know the kids more.  I love them more and more each day! It sometimes surprises me how normal they are despite the fact that some of them have amazing life stories.  They have lived places I haven't heard of or only dream of going and speak way more languages than I do.  However, besides that, the way they act, the way they talk, the things they like to do is in many ways just like my students in Iowa.  The 6th graders are definitely the most challenging because they are still like elementary kids, but I'm getting the hang out it.  And they are so darn cute!

School is always full of surprises.  This week, my ESL Bible students took a placement test and passed into the next level.  They were removed from my class so I thought I wasn't teaching them anymore.  Then, a day before the test was supposed to be, I found out that I was going to be teaching 7th grade ESL Bible again so I hurried to write the test.  I thought I would just have the 2 boys I had before, but about an hour before class I found out that I had 6 students, 4 of which had been in the 8th grade class learning something completely different!  Luckily I have plenty of experience at winging a lesson and it went fine.  I like having a bit larger class, but it definitely caused a moment of frantic planning.

This past Saturday I went to Seoul with a few of the girls.  It was a great trip...a little wet, but still good.  We visited Gwanghwamun Palace and watched the changing of the guard there.  Then, we went to Insadong and had lunch (Korean! The best I've had yet), shopped, went to a tea shop where I had quince tea (also the best I've had), and met up with Bethany!  It was so good to see a familiar face and fun to spend the day with her.  We got yogurt and fruit, walked and talked, and went to a stream that runs through downtown Seoul.  While we were walking we ran into a break dance crew called the Gamblerz who are apparently the best in the world.  G confirmed so I guess it's true. :-P  I agree...they were AMAZING!  After that we had dinner, said goodbye to Bethany, and headed home.  It was a great day, but we were definitely exhausted.  Luckily the trip isn't long; only 50 min. on the KTX!

I have really enjoyed getting to know all of the teachers at TCIS.  We often have staff get-togethers.  We play volleyball every Wednesday (although we've only had one week where no one has gotten injured and ended up on crutches :-S) and last night we had a sundae party!  Some girls provided ice cream and the rest of us brought toppings.  We don't get dessert very often so it was sooooooo good...and fun!

I am still very happy here and only miss a few things.  Though, if I had to pick the thing I miss the most--other than family and friends, of course--is Mexican food!  It is really hard to find here.  If you figure out how to send me some tacos and some good ground beef, do it por favor! :)