Starting another 365.

After another 36 hour travelling stint I am back in Korea and finished with my first day. It was hard.

When I arrived yesterday I didn’t really know what to feel about being back. Somehow Icheon doesn’t really feel like home, even thought I take it as that, but considering that I don’t see Pretoria as my real home anymore, it makes things difficult. Where do I belong? Pretoria is “Home”, but not the place where I want to be, an I can’t think much more than 12 months in advance because of Korean laws.

Anyway, a few things have changed in the two weeks that I was gone. The road to school is much greener. I need to take a photo. The vegetation is now so lush that it almost feels like I am walking through a forest after the evening rain.

I started by fist day of my new contract having slept only 4 hours in the previous 2 days, jet lag, and having only one period off. When 3:30 came around I was already dead on my feet.

At school I gave out the few gifts I brought along and I really wished I was able to bring much more. There are many more people who would have loved to get a small gift as well. I have no idea how the teachers will take it that I gave everyone in the Admin Office a gift, but they do a lot for me in terms of paper work and things like that.

I was informed today that we would be going to dinner in Thursday to “Welcome me to Korea”, but I think it might just be an excuse to go eat out on the school’s expense. I don’t mind. Free food is rarely a bad thing. I was also drafted to be the Tug-of-War ref at the sports day on Friday. It is nice because I am kind of being treated as a teacher of the school.

Poppo!

After the exams this week we had the normal get together for the teacher. First though, everyone went up Salbeong Mountain. Somehow I ended up walking with the Principal, Vice Principal and two other teachers. I think the rest never went up that mountain, but that is irrelevant.

I bought a cappuccino to accompany me up the mountain and offered my vice principal a taste. She shares my like for coffee. She took a sip, pointed at the spot where she drank and said: “뽀뽀” (Poppo) It means something like Little Kiss.

I heard about this before. If a women drinks from the same cup as a man, then she they should use opposite sides otherwise it will result in an indirect. As far as I know most people don’t really care, but it is still a concept that is familiar to most Koreans, it seem

May Day, Workers Day, Labour Day

Guess in which country are teachers not considered part of the labour force. I will give you a hint.

"Five of the letters in the countries name are K, O, R, E and A."

Guess which country doesn't do labour day on the first of May because they are afraid of being called Communists, which, by the way, have never existed in the world we live in. Want a hint?

"The first letters of the major parts of it's name are U, S and A."