Sports Day

In case you haven't noticed, these things I keep posting at the top are uploaded songs that I like. You can press the play arrow and listen to them.

Things are still going well. School has been really nice this month because of the constant holidays, exams, and other events that give me a break from teaching. Last week, we had a sports day all day. For eight hours, the kids got all hot and sweaty outside while I stayed in the office and read. Actually, I walked around and watched the activities for maybe an hour, in all, throughout the day.



A look at my school.



My boys are constantly holding hands, sitting in each other's laps, and groping each other. It's kinda weird.







Tug-of-war.



Jump rope.



One of my co-teachers asked me and the boys to demonstrate our squat toilet technique.



Friday was Teachers' Day. I got a piece of cake and a cute note from one of my students. I also got some flowers and rice cake.

I bought a bicycle a couple weeks ago, and I think it's one of the best investments I've made since I've been here. It's a great way to get around and it's also a really fun way to go out with friends and explore the city.









A few weeks ago, as I was walking home from E-Mart, a Korean guy approached me, and we started chatting. He told me that he was an English teacher. He was pretty nice, so when he asked me for my phone number, I gave it to him. Turns out he's a Jehovah's Witness, so I was really hesitant about actually hanging out with him. Besides, I'm almost always busy as it is, and I didn't feel like making time for him. I ignored his calls a couple times (and felt really bad about it) but eventually decided that I'd just bite the bullet and meet up with him. I had told him the first night that we met that I'm an agnostic (but basically atheist), so I was really dreading the God talk. Anyway, I finally met up with him last night. We went out for tea and just chatted for a while. Inevitably, he brought up religion. I told him straight up that I don't believe in God or the Bible or anything and that I base my beliefs on science, reason, etc. And he was totally cool about it and didn't try to push any beliefs on me. He did tell me some stuff about Jehovah's Witnesses but only because I was genuinely interested. Like, I had no idea that they don't believe in Hell. It was nice to learn a few things without being preached to, and likewise, I had no desire to argue about why I thought he was wrong.

He said that he's met several other foreigners (most of whom I know, this being a pretty small town), so I guess he just strikes up conversations with every whitey he sees. He said he wants to hang out again. I'm not especially anxious about it, but as long as it isn't really soon, I don't see why not.

Well, that's it for now. In a couple days, I'm going on a field trip with the third graders to an island in the middle of the lake in Chuncheon. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures.