Wee Update

1. Bird Flu is in Korea. Bird Flu is in the province just north of me. Yesterday, I had an egg on my cafeteria tray and Melissa was all like "Don't eat that." So...List of things I don't eat here: beef, seafood, pork, and now, no chicken or eggs. Of course, kimchi supposedly cures the Bird Flu, but I don't eat kimchi. I'll call it the "Korean Bird Flu Weight Loss Plan".

2. It's cold here. While southern Ontario seems to be rocking 17 degrees, it's chilly chilly chilly here. It could be worse, I could have to beg to get the heat turned on in my classroom... oh, wait. Yeah. I do have to beg this grumpy administration guy to get the heat turned on in my classroom. The kids wander around in their winter jackets, with full on scarves and mitts and blankets and stuff. Of course, the windows are kept open in the school... apparently, shivering is "good for health". Sometimes, it is colder in the school than outside. I have a space heater next to my desk that pre-dates the Korean War, I am sure, so am a bit leery about leaving it on. I'm still stupid enough to ignore the weather and ride my scooter to school because, well, it's fun. Have discovered that laying my clothes on my apartment floor will heat them up (gotta love ondol - underfloor heating), and Jakob makes a neat furry bed-warmer.

3. Heading to Mokpo to kick it old skool with Maura for her birthday. May possibly take part in another "Free Hugs" thing too. Depends on how cold it is.

4. Jessica gave me a webcam and I recorded something on it and tried to e-mail it as an attachment and post it, but neither thing seems to have worked. Will have to figure it out and get back to you.

5. I'm still exploring options for next year. Do I stay in Suncheon, in the same craptastic apartment, but where I finally know how to get from Point A to Point B and where all my friends are? Do I stay at the same school where the kids know me and I have (finally) learned a few teachers' names? Or do I move to points unknown and see what's out there?


Finally, here's a little pic of one of my students who has a wicked crush on me - he literally runs down the hall calling "Baginia! Hi!", then holds my hand and tells me something in Konglish (Korean/English). Melissa calls him my boyfriend...