It's Crunky

The best thing about today - I just ate a candy bar called Crunky. It had rice crisps in it, so I think it was supposed to be Crunchy. But Crunky is just so much better - I'm picturing an advertisement featuring a rapper, his grill, and a mediocre bar of Korean chocolate.

Aside from the chocolate bar it's been a relatively low key day, similar to my other days here. I haven't had any issues with jet lag... as I told my mom before I left, I am an excellent sleeper and can sleep whenever necessary. The transition to life here was also greatly eased by the immediate friend base of the other American teachers. They show me around town, take me to bars and restaurants, and even helped me figure out the mysterious combination washer/dryer in my room (thus far, the dryer has failed entirely, but I got some new advice on which buttons to push and I have a load in as we speak... wish me luck).

I also have my Uncle Russ to show me around, which is great. He took me shopping and then we went back to his home which he shares with eight or nine other priests, most of whom are retired. Turns out retired priests are awesome. Before dinner we had happy hour, then at dinner I was cajoled into a few glasses of wine, all of which was followed by movie night on the houses big screen TV. I am definitely going to hang out with the priests on a regular basis.

As for the children - I have only taught for two days, and I'm already exhausted. The older kids are a piece of cake because they speak English, and I can actually communicate with them. The "7" year olds I teach (that means they are between 5 and 6, as you are born 1 year old in Korea and everyone turns another year older on January 1st - it's a screwy system) - they are another matter. They are very cute, but they don't understand much of what I say, and I already have a class hellion. Two parents called the school today about little Ricky scratching their child - apparently he loves dinosaurs and likes to pretend he has long claws. Hopefully, I will learn to love my class of kinders, as they start picking up more English, and cause me less stress and exhaustion. In the mean time, I'm sure Ricky will be a source of many wonderful blog stories.

My next big mission is to learn the Korean alphabet. It's rather necessary to order at restaurants and explain where you want to go in cabs. For the time being, I let my friends order my food and I carry a piece of paper with address written on it.