One Month--boys settling in school

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Hello, It is taking me a while to get around to updating this blog. I am also emailing, skype(ing), facebooking and calling (in Korea) I have been working with the phonics program here at English village and preparing to give a workshop on classroom management. We will soon begin training on the teaching methodology called "Teaching for Understanding." It is an online course out of Harvard and we have a coach on site to help and teach us. It it great material for teachers. I am enjoying myself because it is 100 times less stressful than teaching my class in the states.

We dropped the boys off at school last Sunday. Most of the students arrived from the states on Tues. or Wed. There are 13 students in the boys' program--4 boys and 9 girls. There are also returning students as well as a parallel program of Japanese students. The Japanese students do some activities like sports together. Nick and Chris are busy making friends. We attended one of the Welcome ceremonies (there were two different ones) and stayed overnight in a guest room at the dorm. The boys had time to say "hi and bye" as they were busy playing sports and hanging out. Next week classes will start. At the first ceremony, the boys had to introduce themselves in Korean and Nick said it was terrible since they only had one day to practice. I heard it was cute from a mom that was there.

We got cell phones so we can easily communicate. Almost everyone (except perhaps people 80 and older) has cell phones. I can watch TV on mine once i figure out how. I do watch Korean drama on my computer at www.mysoju.com. It has subtitles and I can learn Korean as well as chill out in the evenings. I have been watching "I Love You, Don't Cry" I also learn about the culture which is beautifully family orientated. The elderly are truly respected here which is quite refreshing. Also, it is quite safe here. We can leave our door open in our English village "compound". Also, in Seoul it is safe to walk the streets even for children and it is quite clean for a city of 10 million--which is reassuring to Richard and I since the boys' school is in the city. It actually takes us about 2 hrs. to the school. 40 min. to an hour to Seoul and their school is on the other side of the city, so we have to take the metro.

Hope you enjoy the pictures etc. You can also communicate with us through email: [e-mail] and with me on facebook. If you skype our skype address is richkasia2.

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Photos

Our apartment
Another bedroom is just off the wall you see on the left.

Betsy Colford & I
An old friend from seminary that I met at church in Seoul. She is teaching English at a University here.

Kasia's b-day
Nick is taking the picture. The cake comes w/ candles, a large plastic cake knife, and two matches in a small packet with which to light the cake. A small pleasure.

Big Asian pear
Chris loves these.

Fellow teachers at welcome dinner
The restaurant is Shabu Shabu. Customers dip meat into sauce. Meat is followed by noodles and rice. Very fun.

Ride
There is a huge park next to C & N's school. Small kids can ride these animal rides that move slowly--funny to watch.

Welcoming Ceremony
Group picture of kids from all programs plus staff and us.

techno mart
Small view of a store that has 8 floors of cameras, ipods, electronics, appliances. There are rows and rows and rows of cameras--quite an experience.

Playing montenage
Game a bit like dodge ball that the kids love to play.

Comments

[Karyn & Dino]

cool cultural photos
Kasia, great photos! It's interesting to see the little differences- different toys, electronics, birthday cake package. Reminds me that there is more than one way to do all kinds of things. Glad to hear it's so safe - that must be a nice feeling. Long commute you two have!