presently

Two Radiohead albums, one World Cup, three World Series, and a half of a presidential term later, I'm ready to head on home.

I've been teaching English in Korea for 2 years and 3 months. I've got three months to go and suddenly realize I've not written any of this stuff down. While it seems pretty stupid to start now, it's even dumber to not do it at all.

Because it seems useless to start from the beginning, I figured its better to start with the present...

and presently I work at SangSan High school in Jeonju. School is in session one more month, which means kids are busting tail to get ready for final exams. I've been teaching them since they were freshmen, and in the winter they will become seniors (only three years in high school). A quick example to display what better students they are then I ever ever was....

today Edward C. Prescott, 2004 Nobel Prize winner, came to our school and gave an English presentation on Korea's economic development resting on the shoulders of Korean young people. To me, this means 2 hour nap in the comfy chairs of the auditorium. They were STOKED. Questions were prepared in case they had a chance to speak with him. They had read his book, and were waiting anxiously for the signature hour. I read through the pamphlet (English of course) and was clueless. These kids are beyond ambitious, inquisitive, and above all intelligent. I am amazed and shamed by them daily.

They also have their childish side of course. They put on a festival last weekend. It included a Miss SangSan where groups of boys dressed up and performed girl group songs.

While funny, it also was terribly disturbing and had me cringing and hoping their fathers were not watching.

The song this group performed is Tell Me by Wondergirls. This stupid song plays non-stop through every store, restaurant, car, Mp3 player, bus, taxi, and anywhere else speakers are available. It's five middle school girls who the entire population of Korea have grown to embrace this month as their ALL TIME FAVORITE. (videos in above blog cause i can't figure it all...sorry)

The rest of the festival was held outside. Booths sold cold hotdogs, hot chocolate, Korean candy, and games. Trevor was kind enough to swing by and play a few games. Pictured below is him cheating on a yogurt drinking game. Thankfuly they let him play again, 6 yogurts were drank as a result.