Stress and Relaxation

I know you usually don't hear those two words together, but they pretty much describe the past week perfectly. After a busy last week of classes, I worked on Friday night until 6 and then decided I couldn't do anymore. It left me, however, very stressed about all that I had to do before Monday when our grades were due. For a little relaxation, Anna, Beth, and I went exploring Daejeon in search of a Thai massage. After dinner at the Mexican restaurant, we found a fancy little place and treated ourselves to an hour-and-a-half of the best massage ever! I didn't know I was so flexible! We were so relaxed after the massage that we laid there for who knows how long until Anna finally said, "Guys, I think we're done." Time went so fast and I was so content that I didn't want to get up! It was a wonderful evening! We decided that we should revisit during every grade posting time. :)

Saturday we had our first MS swim meet of the season. The entire bus ride up I was thinking about all the work I had to do (stressed), but the meet was so much fun. I love seeing our kids swim and be excited about their performance. After, we all walked to Itaewon (the international district in Seoul...I guess it would kind of be like Chinatown in the U.S, just opposite) and ate Quiznos for lunch (relaxed and happy).

Sunday I spent the entire day working, working, and working some more. I only took a break to go to HomePlus to buy supplies for cooking salsa, guacamole, and homemade tortilla chips in my classes. Monday in class my students proved to be excellent cooks. The 7th graders who came in after said that their guacamole was "the best I've ever had!" I agree, it was pretty tasty!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday the MS students participated in Service week. I love this time of the year because our students come up with such great ways to serve around the school, in the community, and even on a global level. They did a variety of activities: made gift baskets for the kitchen staff, grounds crew, bus drivers, etc; cooked soup and delivered it to homeless people at the train station; collected blankets to give away; made Christmas cards for kids at the orphanage; baked cookies for the HS students after their finals; made crafts to sell and give $ to North Korea; sewed a quilt to raffle and give $ to a Korean school in need; and read books they had made in Tech class to the 1st graders at TCIS. It's so awesome that we have an opportunity to teach these kids, many of whom have been blessed with so much (including cleaning ladies and nannies who do everything for them), about true service. It's a great week...but a very very exhausting one, too.

During the week we also took all the students to the theater to see Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. It was fun to share in the experience with my homeroom group (they are so awesome!!). I really enjoyed seeing the movie, quite a relaxing way to spend a Wednesday school day. We also had fun on Thursday watching the Coffee House in which the students showcased their many talents. I'm always amazed at what they can do.

Today, we were able to see our classes one last time. Many of them were spent playing the falling snow (It was so pretty), but I also have 3 students leaving, so many of my classes were farewell parties. I think this is the hardest thing about working in an international school; it is so transient! People are always coming and going. At the end of the day we had an assembly and the student council had someone come up and give a goodbye speech to those who were leaving. It was so nice, but afterward most of the students were in tears. Aww...they are so cute! But I will miss them, too!

The week concluded with the "Send grades to Edline" button. No more stress! Grades are done, comments are written, next quarter is planned......oh wait! :-P But I'm not going to think about that. We have the MS Staff Christmas party, then a goodbye noraebang session for Beth's last night in Korea, and in 2 short days I will be home!!!