Reverse Trick Or Treating

Date: 10/31/2011

So, I went "Reverse Trick or Treating" on Halloween.  Instead of the students coming to me, I went to them.  And I brought my camera!  (Of Course!)
First picture:

This is one of my favorites:

Picture, please?  Okay, you can hide....

Classic "Girl Shot"  This is why I like taking pictures with male students.  You actually get to see their faces!!

See, this is much better~!

My 2nd favorite shot:

This is one of my favorite students.  I know as teachers we shouldn't have "Favorites" but seriously....he talks to me every day and he participates in class.  He's always up for volunteering and is a sweetie.  How can he not be a favorite?

I finally got a picture with some girls to show how close I was to the uniform!  I was pretty spot on!  Granted, I did borrow the clothes from students!  ;) 

My Halloween Costume

Date: 10/31/2011

Hello All!

Today's Halloween and there's nothing better than surprising your students by dressing up as one of them!  They are getting a real kick out of this today!

I've borrowed some clothes from students so that I'm in an official Seohyung Uniforn.  The only problem is the skirt isn't long enough so I keep getting these "Teacher!  Sexy!" comments.  But frankly, I'm just proud that I can fit into middle schooler's clothes!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Ponderings

October 18, 2011

At school, I've hit the ground running with Halloween themed activities.  We're talking about zombies, vampires, ghosts, and Frankenstein. I've been pretty impressed with my student's knowledge of the monsters.

But, at the same time, Halloween for most of my korean students and friends is just book knowledge.  I've asked every class (about 15 classes with 40 students each) if they've ever carved a pumpkin.  I think, TOTAL, there have been 5 students--and those are the ones who've lived in America for a year or two (because of Dad's Job).

Of my foreigner friends, only the ones from Canada and America have ever carved a pumpkin.   People from South Africa and New Zealand look at me funny when I say I really want to carve the guard.

So, I'm on the hunt for pumpkins in Gunsan.  I've seen the big size in other provinces...but so far, I'm striking out in Gunsan.  But I WILL rectify the fact that my best friends in Korea haven't carved a pumpkin.  And then we'll roast the seeds.

To top everything off, next week my kids are doing a contest: "Guess what Maggie's Halloween Costume!"  I'm debating on two options for costumes--we'll see if the first option is able to be put together (I'm relying on other people's help to pull it together).  But I've recently got some wind back into my sails so I feel like I can pull off the laughs, stares, and confusion caused by me dressing up at school.

But, to recap: Halloween is throughly an American holiday.  I feel sad for all the other little boys and girls who didn't get to run around, dressing in costume, screaming and fighting for candy.

Update

Date 10/20/10
         -2 days

An update from my last post.  Not having the documents will not be as much as a hassle as I imagined (treasure the things that have relativ).  Anyway, basically I will just have to leave an envelop with the folks so that they can mail both the FBI CB and US Residency Certificate to the Education Board.  Pretty simple.

Second Update: I have two freaking days!  AHHH!!!!

Third: I've started my good-byes.  The hard ones.  I said bye to my cousin (who lives in DC), and that was hard.  My brother came home from college for his Fall Break and I was able to talk to him a little bit.  It was good.  It's amazing--he's been gone for about 2 months and he's changing (good changes) but still.  My little brother is growing up!  The goodbyes I'm not looking forward to are coming on Friday.  My dad (Tullah, my baby.  Say what you want about saying goodbye to a beloved pet, but she has been companion for these past two years.  While I was in South Carolina for school, she was my family.)  And my parents.  This part is just going to tear my heart out, but hopefully being so excited for being in a foreign country will lessen or distance the pain.  I once had a friend describe the relationship me and my mother share like the Gilmor Girl's mother/daughter one (the younger pair).  We are best friends. Anyway, enough sadness.

Since my brother was home, I took the advantage to hang out with him and CARVED SOME PUMPKINS!  I know, a 23 and 18 year old carving pumpkins might seem a little juvenile, but you don't realize that the things that were fun when you are kids--well, some of theme are still fun!  Plus, being in American for only a few more days makes me realize I need to "overdose" on Americana pop culture.  I've been pigging out on pancakes, hambugers, steaks, (ok, that's all food--not pop culture, but if you were going to South Korea where they like fermented cabbage, you'd obesse over the comfort foods too).  Anyway, I can't think of many more things that scream Americana besides decorating a squash than Halloween.

Here are some pics:

It was so nice that Charlie worked for a knife company this summer.  We had some
premium pumpkin carvers.

Pumpkin guts.  Enough said

Eww...slimey!

My pumpkin was very dry so it became very brittle.  If you can read my 

expression, it says, "It broke."

Yah for toothpicks.  They saved us.  My house didn't turn out as well 

as I had hoped...

Charlie's turn!

Jack-o-laterns!

This one is good!