Back. Baby. Back...

There is no explanation for why I haven't written. The world was turning, but I just didn't get around to writing about any of it.

But, there is plenty going on...

This morning I was teaching at the elementary school. When I first started working there I only taught a few classes and there were two other foreign teachers. Last week both of those teacher's contracts expired and they went back to their home countries. The director of the school asked me to join their staff as a full time employee and teach a few more classes. No problem. Now, I teach at two different hagwons. I teach grade school and middle school in the afternoon and three classes of 5, 6 and 7 year olds in the morning. But, despite spending most of my time with the older kids in the afternoon, most of my fun stories come from the younger kids.

The class of six-year-olds is the my most trying class. There are 12 students, 10 boys and 2 girls. And, you haven't seen chaos until you have tried to lead 12 six-year-olds, who don't speak English in a craft using crayons, scissors and glue sticks! At all times at least half of the students need my immediate and undivided attention. And while six students are vying for my attention and approval, the other six are usually taking advantage of the moment and looking for ways to cause destruction and bodily harm to one another. It is quite a balancing act.

But, the best part of the class is the distinct personalities that emerge amidst the bedlam. For example, the lovesick Tiara. Tiara at the ripe, old age of six is infatuated with one of the former teachers, James. She draws hearts and pictures for him and I realized today that she doesn't really understand that James isn't coming back. It was a bit sad. She asked, "James Teacher?" which in her limited English meant, "Where is James Teacher?" I explained that James was gone. The language barrier prevented a fuller explanation and I don't think it sank in. I could sense her disappointment, but as she resumed her coloring I suspected it wouldn't be long before Tiara finds a new man in her life! And as for me, I think I am going to be a bit of a heart breaker as well. One of my six year olds has been smelling me. He especially likes to smell my hair and today he finally made his move... He kissed my arm. That's right, a stolen kiss on the elbow... Talk about romance!

But, what is even better than a kiss? I'll tell you what's better... a hug. Before I leave class everyday, I always practice greetings with the students. "Hello." "How are you?" "I am fine. Thank you." And I always end the lesson with "Goodbye." As the end of class neared, I sat in my mini chair (Oh yeah, I sit in one of the tiny, three foot tall, wooden chairs!) and started the usual greetings. Before I got to the end one of the boys shouted, "No goodbye!" I smiled and said, "Yes goodbye!" Looking distraught, he shouted "No goodbye!" He got up from his chair, walked over and put his arms around my neck to give me a long hug. And that, ladies and gentlemen was the best part of my day. At 10:45am, I could have just packed up and gone home, because it doesn't going to get any better than that.

Of course, I also have the more unique personalities. One of the boys, loves to clean. Whenever we do crafts he rushes to finish his project so that he can get the little plastic broom and dustpan and start cleaning up all the paper scraps. He lives to clean! Another one of the boys, Victor, is the class clown. He loves to only finish coloring half of the page and then hand it to me with a clever look in his eye. I always act playfully astonished and say "No color? No. No. No." And hand it back to him and he cracks up. He just giggles and giggles.

I could go on and I will eventually tell you more stories... After all, I spend my mornings sitting on the floor, surrounded by miniature people, coloring, singing the Itsy-Bitsy-Spider song and making funny faces. There is definitely a lot of blog material there!

But, onto other news. Mad Cow Disease. Holy smokes! These people are angry! Angry! Angry! For those of you who don't watch, read or listen to the news, or for those of you who just live in a cave (but somehow have internet access to read this blog), the new president of South Korea has just re-negotiated to allow the United States to import beef. South Korea has refused to allow US beef since 2003 due to a fear of Mad Cow Disease. After US beef got a clean bill of health from the WTO last September, the new South Korean president decided to lift the importation ban. This has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people protesting, resignations from most all members of the president's staff, approval ratings even worse than Bush's and pressure for him to leave office. Did I mention that these people are angry? Of course, much of the anger is based on sensationalism and faulty information. Imported beef has turned into a hot-button issue, surrounded by half-truths and rumormongering. But, the new President isn't making things easier for himself. He has failed to provide accurate information to the public and has accepted weaker safety restrictions than both Taiwan and Japan have demanded for imported US beef. In my opinion, the Mad Cow Disease issue shouldn't be this heated. But, the relationship between the United States and South Korea is in the midst of many changes and the anger over Mad Cow Disease may be an outlet to vent some of the rising steam. Here is a short article that summarizes a few other issues South Koreans have with the US. http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080614/OPINION02/806140316

On a loosely related note, it is important to keep in mind the unique relationship between North and South Korea and the United States. There are 35,000 US troops still stationed in Korea, just a few miles from the DMZ. President Bush calls North Korea, a rogue state and a member of the Axis of Evil. But, the US considers South Korea a valuable trading partner. In 2007, America provided 11.7 percent of South Korea's imports and bought 14.5 percent of its exports. Despite the US's condemnation of North Korea, most South Koreans don't see North Korea as an evil twin. Instead, they see it as a long lost brother and seek reunification. They see North Korea as part of Korea and blame the United States and other outside actors for dividing their country. A relationship like that is bound to cause conflict. So, I think the US beef importation issue is further fueled by deep seeding, historic US resentment.

Okay. Okay. I'll wrap this up. This blog is getting long and a probably a bit too heavy.

But, before I go, a quick shout-out to two of my loyal readers. These guys actually read this blog. No kidding. And last weekend they made big news... They got married! I couldn't be there, but from the pictures and video (already posted on Facebook!) it was beautiful and fitting for this good-humored pair. Congratulations Brian and Lindsey. You are both genuinely wonderful people. I am a better person for knowing you and thrilled for you both!