World Cup, Korea

Try to imagine yourself, the only foriegner in a restaurant on a Saturday night in Korea, squished like sardines from wall to wall, eating your meal and the person beside you sitting almost literally on your lap, where the only visible color you see is red (shirts, pants, bracelletes, devil ears, etc) and a huge projector screen is broadcasting the first World Cup game on a painted white wall beside your table. There are people sitting ontop of tables, under tables, on the floor or just standing aimlessly by the front door to watch the replay of Koreas first goal against Greece. The atmosphere is electric. Koreans are dancing and singing in the streets, popping out of sunroofs, waving huge Korean flags and screaming for joy.

Saturday night some friends and I watched Korea's big win in the World Cup against Greece! The score was 2 - 0 and the crowds went balistic!! I have never experienced anything like it before. Living in Toronto, Canada, I think the closest thing we have to the World Cup (which is not even close at all) would be the Stanely Cup or the Olympics (which I dont think ive ever fully followed- my bad). It's amazing to be living in a country that is so dedicated, hopeful and supportive of their team. It was Patriotism at its finest and being the odd one out, in a crowd of Korean bliss, I have to say, for the first time in 7 months, I felt like part of the team. Their energy and excitement was positively contagious which lead me right up there with them on those tables, holding their flags and chanting their cheers!
The next game South Korea will play is on Thursday night against Argentina. Now I don't know much about soccer, but I do know Argentina basically invented the game... so here's hoping Korea will put up a good fight!

Today was the first day back at work after the big win, and just like I expected, all my students were dying to talk about it. Ofcourse I didn't mind because not only were they talking about the game in English, we also wasted a good half hour of not doing the mundane work and writing practice they complete everyday. My students however, didn't understand why I was also excited that Korea had won. "But teacha, you are a foriegner!" (as if no one could tell...). "Yes George, I am, but Canada is not part of the World Cup AND I live in Korea right now". "Well, what if Canada played against Korea?" "But Canada is not in the World Cup." "Well what if South Korea played against America?" "I am not American, George". "Well what if South Korea played against North Korea?" Basically, my students don't believe that I am cheering on South Korea, because I am a foriegner, and wanted me to prove my loyalty to them. Sooo I promised them all a pizza party if South Korea wins. I have altogether 140 students. I suppose I am now impartial to the overal triumphant team. haha (thats A LOT of pizza/$).

So while we are on the topic of my students, I have some unfortunate news to announce. Obama has dropped out of school! Haha who'd ever think that sentence would come out of my mouth?! But yes, he has officially left the academy, which means the name is up for grabs! See, when it comes to prominent names like Obama, Franklin Rosevelt, Micheal Jackson and so on, they are more desirable and therefore obtain a higher name calibre. I will only allow one of my students to occupy these virtuous names and now that Obama is gone, I'm sure I will have many little ones offering me stickers and candy to gain ownership of the name... I suppose I will go with the highest bidder...!

I was also given 2 new male students in one of my grade 2 classes. I decided to go with Tom and Jerry. They sit beside eachother and I assign them as partners for any group work activity. Gives me a good laugh.

Write more soon!

Signing off,

Gillian Teacha xx