Minsu, Minsu, Minsu!

It's Thursday . . . and I'm posting.

As the South Korean sun is warmed up the winter streets of our little Gimpo, the new school year blossomed. With the new school year, the 3 little sources of bacteria that could infest my immune system have left me (i.e. Beth, Gloria and Lisa). Now, there are 10 little sources of infestation - with more strength, energy and restlessness than ever!

In this series, we'll take an indepth look at my students, what I teach them, and more importantly, what they teach me.

Here's our first examinee: Minsu.

Sleeping on the bus after a field trip.

Easter. Minsu stuffed his mouth with yoke.

Posing for the camera.
Grabbing the camera out of my hands and taking a picture of himself.

Minsu is hyper, has a lack of concentration, has a tendency to puke, and always has fluid flowing from his nose. But, this little guy has a soft spot in my heart.


Every morning, he comes into the office and says "Tania Teacher! _____ spoke Korean!" I always reply with the same answer "Good morning Minsu. Ok, thank you Minsu. I will talk to them in class." Even though I say the same thing every morning, he continues to inform me that someone has broken a rule.

In class, we sing songs every morning. Sometimes we dance. When we dance and sing at the same time, he gets a little wild. So wild, that he feels he has to walk over to his desk partner and hug them as tight as possible - then try to lift them up.



During playtime, Minsu likes to chase girls - which inevitably leads to hugging them as tight as possible - thus likely injuring them. Even though Minsu always gets in trouble, he still does it.

Maybe it's that Minsu doesn't hear me, or that Minsu doesn't understand me when I say his name - but there are times when I need to say his name 3 or 4 times before he listens to me. This is when I say "Minsu . . . . Minsu! Minsu! Minsu, Minsu, Minsu!"

Sometimes, he just bursts out laughing during the middle of class. Other times, he laughs at me when I do something that I would consider mundane. His laugh is so infecting. He opens his mouth as wide as he can, throws his head back, and he emits such a forceful "ha ha ha." That I can't help but laugh at him - even if he's in trouble. I can't help from laughing right now as I think about it! His little eyes squint and become even smaller!

Minsu laughs. He laughs at little things. Someone (Julie) once told me to laugh really hard when one of my children does something silly. Let me tell you, I laugh. Then he laughs at me for laughing at him. This causes endorphines to rush to my brain.

Minsu makes me want to teach for life. Like I said earlier, Minsu has a difficult time concentrating in class. As a result, I try to spend some time with just him to help him concentrate on the work. When he finally understands something and can do it on his own, he gets so excited! So excited! He smiles so big it's unbelievable.

This is why I love Minsu.

The Power of Infestations of Bacteria

I never understood why people chose to concieve children that could become infestations of bacteria. But on Wednesdays when the week is getting rough and no relief seems to be apparent, I can understand why.

When I'm fed up with the cold, with the workplace, and monotony, I am continually surprised and amazed at the patience that my students have with me.

Oh so thankful and blessed.

This photo was taken after the girls and I learned about winter. In the winter, birds don't have food. So, we made bird feeders. Unfortunately, I guess magpies don't like butter rolls, peanut butter and bird seed. The girls were disappointed the first day after we had made these feeders. Then after the weekend, we went back on the roof and they were somewhat relieved that a small flake of Lisa's butter roll was missing (possibly from ripping off while placing fishing line through the roll - but the girls didn't know that).

Next time, I'll be a better teacher and do some research on what kind of food birds like. I thought all birds liked peanut butter.

Gloria Ralphed

Time escapes me. At home, at school, walking home, walking to school - anywhere. So in my attempt to prevent time from escaping through the cracks of my fingers, I came up with some strategies:

1. Listen to the news on my walk to work.
2. Grade papers on the subway on the weekends.
3. Take less showers.
4. Don't do laundry.
5. Have the kindergarteners drink their milk fast so that I could get ready for the next class during their milk/play time.

Most of them have been successful thus far - except for the last one.

I figured that by having the girls compete in drinking milk during their milk/play time, this would cause them to drink their milk faster - allowing me more time to get ready for their afternoon class. This idea was working out well for the past couple of weeks. Unfortunately, pride comes before the fall.

The girls drank their milk like they normally do. They all finished and took their green milk cartons to the kitchen. Then, they scurried off to play with their friends. Both playrooms were full of children screaming, playing clapping games like "Miss Susie went to Sea," and sliding down the plastic castle.

Gloria fell half over in the hallway. Two or three girls stopped. Gloria walked 6-7 steps toward me. I thought she had blown snot - all the other kids have been doing it lately. So I told her to go to the sink. As I assisted her the first few steps toward the sink, I realized it was all over her face, her hand, and dripping down her blue suede jacket. It was puke.

She washed her face. I took off her jacket. She played. I tried to wipe down the suede. She felt fine. I was thought I was going to ralph.

Go Tania! Good going on time saving strategies!

Happy Peppero Day!

Commonly known as "Pocky" in the US, Pepero, established in 1983, is the Korean brand of this Japanese chocolate covered bread stick.

Today, all over the nation, children and teenage girls gave an array of different Pepero to their friends. Almond Covered Pepero (my fav), Cafe Latte Pepero, Giant Pepero, Candy Covered Pepero, Chocolate-filled Pepero, and the classic Pepero were sold and bought in mass quantities from grocery stores, bakeries, the equivalent to 7-11, department stores, and jewelry stores all over Korea.

The person who, just 4 years ago, decided to establish Pepero Day is reaping praise fro his/her colleagues after the end of this very celebrated day.

Yesterday, my students gave me Pepero, made me Pepero, and reminded me of how much of a kid I am.

I'm leavin' on a jet plane . . .

In just fifteen days I'll be on my way to Seoul. This arrival has come much faster than I had hoped or expected.

I think I'm nervous - but wasn't I when I went to DC?

Again, I face the issue of fear - again, the fear of transportation, the fear of acceptance, etc. But now I face another crazy boundary!!! Language and culture!

Embark with me on this journey, won't you?

Korea here I come!