Banana Class and Jessie Teacher
Recently we went on an SLP field trip to the National Museum of Korea. There they have a special childrens' section, full of ice-age pick-axes, pottery and the like. Fortunately the kids were not able to play with the knives and the axes, but they got chance to play with fake pottery, do some coin-engraving rubbings and bang on a few drums. It kept us all entertained safely indoors while the sky spat out the remains of the typhoon that had plagued South Korea for the past two weeks.
Getting the kids to look at the camera all at the same proved impossible; however this is all of my class except for those who were ill that day. The girl nearest the camera is Belle, then Rose, Crissy's side-profile and Esther behind her. Peter is behind Esther, to Peter's left is Daniel, and Sam is wearing the white cap. Behind them is Jessie teacher, the Banana class assistant teacher who is quite new to SLP.
The Krypton Factor
S4021284
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.Here the girls are putting together a jigsaw of a horse. On the other side is the boys. Naturally the girls won...
Daniel and Jessie Teacher
Whose cheeky face is this? It's banana Daniel threatening to shoot the teachers with his bow and arrow.
Esther
Esther too is having evil thoughts...could there be a trend?
Ink Rubbing
Ink Rubbing
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.This is supposed to be picture of woman. A woman in pain, maybe?
Apple Class Eric
Apple Class Eric
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.Apple class is the youngest class in our hagwon. They are international age 4 and 5, and quite a handful. This is Eric, the smallest boy, proudly holding up his rubbing. He is so cute....shame this photograph came out too dark.
Where is Justin Teacher?
Somebody kidnapped my partner teacher...
Baby's First Birthday
My boyfriend has a close friend from his university days who is the original designer therefore the owner of a famous and successful stationary range in Korea. We were invited to his son's first birthday party. It is still the tradition in Korea to throw a huge party when a baby reaches their first birthday, as only 50 years ago Korean children were dying before they reached their first year. Despite all the pomp and glory the guests were rude and miserable, took advantage of the free food, gave a small donation to the baby, and then left. I couldn't believe it- I was expecting a happy event, and instead it was a situation that the Koreans tolerated for tradition's sake and simply didn't want to be there. According to my boyfriend, nowadays that is the common attitude towards events like this.
The proud parents,
In the background there is a huge banner with the baby's photos on it. Daddy took the photos and designed the banner himself.
Boys will be boys
Songsu and another friend were paying little attention to the speeches and prayers. Instead they were comparing...er...all-singing-all-dancing-TV-MP3-Game machines and downloading files off each other.
Banana Class....Liiiiiinne Up!
This from another field trip to the Science Museum, about a month ago. Banana class is at the front of the queue waiting to file into the kiddie hands-on section. At the science musuem they also had a planetarium, which my class loved, but this was second to the 3D film they watched through glasses that swamped them....so cute!
Sucking up to the boss
My boss receiving kisses from two of my students. The boy in the foreground is Peter.
What's that up there?
A close up of the mini-miscreants also known as Banana class (lining-up). Daniel is at the front, then Estherm and Crissy behind them.
Say Aaaahh
Yes, all teeth are present and correct, Peter!
Peter is my favourite student (though I tried hard not to have favourites). When I first got him he was uncontrollable. Now he is a good boy who works hard and listens to teacher. Also he is very expressive and was the first of my students to try and communicate with me in English (Cookie is......cookie is......cookie is cookie!).
This week I found out that he and his family will be moving to the other side of Seoul, therefore will not be attending SLP anymore. Both myself and Justin (my partner) are so disappointed.
Aliens are taking over the earth!
Aliens are taking over the earth!
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Oh God, there's more of them!
Oh God, there's more of them!
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Just Hangin'
Just Hangin'
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Musical Statues...
as demontrated by Orange class (my other kindergarden class). This class is crazy, so it is nice to have them quiet and motionless for a couple of seconds everytime I press "pause" on the CD player.
Lunchtime
Lunchtime
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Judy, Sean and Clara
Judy, Sean and Clara
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Orange Danny
Orange Danny
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Songsu's University Friends
These are some of Songsu's friends from university. We met to see a Picasso exhibition and then went for dinner and drinks afterwards. The Picasso exhibition was quite disappointing; as one his friends rightly said, it was as though someone had taken all of Picasso's worst work out of the bin and made an exhibition with them.
His friends were all really friendly and open-minded, especially the girl who has an English boyfriend (not pictured here). She was desperate to talk to me about all things England-related (especially as she lived there for a year); it was nice to find a Korean who is interested in England rather than America.
Incheon Beach
This is Incheon beach. The weather was actually beautiful that day, so it must be down to my poor photography skills that the sky looks overcast. At 2 1/2 hours away, it is (frustratingly) my nearest beach. We travelled the full length of the underground network plus a bus to get there. However boyfriend has recently bought a car, so journeys like this will be more comfortable and less time-consuming in the future.
Beach view- to my left
Beach view- to my left
Originally uploaded by Eleruen.
Beach view- to my right
Beach view- to my right
Originally uploaded by Eleruen.
View from the rocks
View from the rocks
Originally uploaded by Eleruen.
Songsu on the rocks
Songsu on the rocks
Originally uploaded by Eleruen.
Another day in the life of a...
....goose, waiting to attend dinner. These were spotted lazily making their way up the path near a restuarant next to the beach. A strategic get-away plan, perhaps.
The Football Crowd
The World Cup was a huge event in Korea, as it is in any participating country. Koreans being, well, Korean, thew in 200% percent of their passion and enthusiasm into it. In every city, there was a big screen so that a big crowd could gather to watch the game together. In Seoul, there was a huge screen at City Hall, where millions of people flocked everytime there was a Korea game. Even if the game started at 3am local time, the streets surrounding City Hall would be jammed with supporters by 4pm. Since I didn't finish work until at least 6pm, it made it impossible for me to a) ride the subway train into central Seoul b) see the big screen even if I got there. Hence Songsu and I went to watch the foot ball on a smaller screen at the local university. There around 700 people there, all proudly wearing their glow-in-the-dark red devil horns, and so the atmosphere was fantastic.
Two games later, Songsu and I went to the baseball stadium. The stadium was huge; the capacity must have been at least 10,ooo, and almost every seat was filled. The doors opened at 11pm and the game started at 3am. The atmosphere was electric-the biggest crowd I have ever been in. That was the day that Korea lost and thus was out of the World Cup. The mood on the subway trains going back home at 6am was that of deep disappointment.
Flames of Fire
Flames of Fire
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Souls of the Seoulites
Souls of the Seoulites
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
Songsu the Devil
Songsu the Devil
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.A week or so before the World Cup started myself, Alex (my colleague) and boyfriend Songsu met up for a few drinks. On the way to the bar I bought some Red Devil (name of the Korean football team) horns, which are sported by the two boys-see below.
"Give me all your beer or I will take your soul- Mwoar ho ho ho hor!"
Songsu's devil grin is not unlike the greeting-a-stranger face (see January pics). It seems that there is something going on that I am not fully aware of.
Horns don't normally grow there...
Horns don't normally grow there...
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
"I'm sooo angry I'm gonna...."
"I'm sooo angry I'm gonna...."
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
"Ooops my horns popped up!"
"Ooops my horns popped up!"
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
"Nevermind the horns...I love you reeeally...!"
"Nevermind the horns...I love you reeeally...!"
Originally uploaded by LouiseL.
