The holidays are just around the corner and I am really enjoying the non-craziness associated with the holidays in Korea. People aren't running at full speed to the malls for that special toy or buying way too many potatoes for the Christmas dinners (yet). It might get nuts, but I am from Michigan. The land where we made the national news because a store clerk was trampled to death on Black Friday. I come from a line of power shoppers, so I am prepared.
Now for an explanation of my title. Aigoo (pronounced "I go") isn't a word, but more of an expression like "oyvey" or "ugh." So when I'm at school and it's getting to be that time of the day when I'm swearing off ever having children, I can't say "aigoo" because it is Korean. So I revert back to the classic "Oy." Come to find out that "oy" in Korean means cucumber. I sat down in my chair, slumped over and went "oy." The kids looked at me, then each other, back at me and go "Teacher, cucumber?" Haha, I had a good laugh at that. Now whenever I am questioning the future of ConCon getting grandkids, I just say "cucumber."
Don't misunderstand me. I love these kids and working with them, but they can be so whiny sometimes! They all come from very wealthy families and are spoiled rotten, but that is no excuse to ask every single question in a whiny voice with your feet stomping. Another thing I don't get is when a student comes up to me and tells me they have to poo. Ummm, do I look like a toilet? Just go poo! I try to remember what it was like to be five years old and if I acted like this. But it must have been hard to judge since my parents spent 90% of my childhood telling me to get out of the street or to stop banging the garden tools against the car.
The best moments in the classroom are 1) when the kids finally understand a concept in our workbooks. My genius student has the most amazing facial expression when the lightbulb in his head goes off. He just stares off into space with his mouth half open/half smiling. And 2) when I walk into the class for the first time of the day and they all jump up and tackle me. "Mallory Teacher, you look so cool! Mallory Teacher, are we doing science today?! Mallory Teacher, I have to poo!" Haha, It makes me smile and I'm so happy there are only eight of them because I couldn't handle any more!
Christmas is looking to be a busy time of festivities. Starting on Friday, Dec. 17th, we are doing a staff Christmas dinner at a delicious foreign buffet. We will be exchanging secret santa gifts and eating ourselves silly. Then, on Dec 23rd we will have the all-day event of the Kindergarten Christmas party. Games, food, making ornaments, etc. On Christmas eve we have the Kindergarten field trip to a ski resort. The kids will get to go sledding and tubing. Then in the afternoon we will have the elementary Christmas party. After school is finish, we are going back to my apartment and making a huge Christmas eve feast with about 15 other teachers. The night will most likely be followed by the Norebang (karaoke rooms). Christmas morning I will wake up and most likely skype with my parents and then in the afternoon we are going to a popular foreign restaurant for a delicious Christmas dinner. Afer typing all this up, I realized that I will be eating myself into a holiday coma! Oh well, that's the Christmas tradition! I want to send out a huge SORRY to my family! No Greek cookies this year, but next year I will go nuts and make double haha! Miss and Love you all! Happy Holidays!
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