Teacher's Day and Teacher's Retreat

Well this past week was Teacher's Day and this weekend we had a Teacher's retreat.  So first off let's start with Teacher's Day.  So in Korea they have Teacher's Day and it is a very important day here.  From the old traditions in Korea I've been told that Teacher are on the same level with Parents meaning they get a lot of respect.  So on Teacher's Day students bring gifts for their teachers but a lot of school have started banning it because gifts can be turned into bribes.  Anyways at my school it is technically banned and parents are told not to send gifts, but all the teachers still got gifts this year.  I wasn't expecting anything but surprisingly my secondary teacher and I for my baby class received the most gifts.  Too be honest I am flattered but I feel kind of guilty because of the gifts were very expensive gifts.  The gifts that mean the most to me are the hand written ones.  So of course I took pictures and I will show you what my wonderful students gave me.

This rose was from Aiden in my Edison class.

This is from Emily in my Edison class. Her mom made the pen.

Cookies from Sharon

This is from Joey in my Davinci Class. He has been learning English for 4 1/2 months and he wrote that to me. :)

This is from Lumi in my Davinci Class.  Yes this is the same lip balm that Joey got me. lol

This lip gloss is from Emily in my Davinci class

The sun cream and card is from Melissa in my Davinci class.

She wrote the card.

I love this part the best. Melissa has only been in Davinci for 3 1/2 months.

My card from Alex. The English on the card reads as follows, on top "Love you Forever" on bottom "Always Happy Day I will I could carry you smile in my heart For times when my life seems so low It would make me believe"  There are no periods by the way.  Oh Korea and your English it amazes me sometimes!!! lol

Alex wrote in blue and his mother wrote in black. It says "Thank a teacher Thank you for being so mean to them too Alex. We love a lot a lot of good memories in Korea make. Alex."

So I loved all my gifts and I really felt love.  I'm not sure what the "Thank you for being so mean to them too" means but I don't think I am mean to them. Hmm... maybe meaningful?  Anyways my Davinci class (baby class) has learned the words really and very.  So on Wednesday when I came in and they weren't listening and I made a sad face I started getting "Tara Teacher I'm really really very very very very very very sorry!"  Then later I got "Tara Teacher I very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very (takes a deep breath) very very very very very very very very very love you!!!" I found it so cute but to be honest I thought they were going to say sorry again, why I don't know so I started laughing when they ended it with love you.  I really do love me kids and when I leave them it is going to be hard.  I love my Edison kids a lot too, but the day Davinci started classes was my first day of teaching so I have been when them since day one.  Seeing them grow and learn English is a good feeling for me.
Oh on Friday Lumi's mom brought ice cream for my Davinci class.  So you maybe thinking like ice creams bars or Popsicle right? Or maybe a tube of ice cream and bowls and spoons? Nope not in Korea.  This is how ice cream is done.

They are in pouches with a twist cap.  You can put it back on and save it for later.  There is no ice cream every where just cold hands hence the tissue.

Okay lastly we had a Teacher's retreat this weekend.  We played games and had food and alcohol.  I didn't drink because I don't really like soju or beer and secondly and I am sick.  We ate a ton of ramen, tol (Korean pancake with veggies) and watermelon for lunch and for dinner we had Korean bbq!!! I love Korean bbq!!! Meat can be pretty expensive.  Of course we had rice, red pepper paste, kimchi, garlic, peppers, and lettuce. For dessert we had more watermelon.  Fruits are really expensive here.  Anyways it was in the mountains and here is the view and for the added bonus, since Kevin passed out at like 6pm, Haris wore Kevin's.... I'll just let you see the pictures.  haha

Kevin's Dragon costume.

imitating Kevin

and again

There is also video of him dancing to Moves like Jagger from Maroon 5 and Roly Poly from T-ara (Kpop).  I love to show you are but he has forbid me to upload the video so I can't, but if he ever changes his mind I will.  By the way he was sober he was just bored. haha

Well sadly I am sick so I'm going to got back to bed.  I need more rest.  I woke up to eat dinner, write my blog and take my medicine.  So I hope enjoyed the update! Besos!