Back to School

After Lunar New Year, it's back to school

As if you would call what i do working. So I am not saying 'back to work' just simply back to school. 

I accendently published this before I wrote anything, so sorry!

Anyway today was grade 6 graduation, and I wasn't expected to do anything except sit back and enjoy the show. 

There were a heap of awards handed out, and some of my fave kids got a prize so that was nice. Some scholarships were also handed out, and as I was lucky enough to be seated next to Mrs. Lee she was able to explain to me a little about some of the awards. She was super pleased when this particular girl got a scholarship - apparently the girl was very bright but had no parents and lived with her Grandmother. It was sad, I always thought she was a quiet girl and I am glad she got the award. 

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the old Principal who came back today for this ceremony and also his retirement ceremony which followed (more about that later).

I swear to God he was dressed in his dress robes*. He looked like a full on wizards bar the hat. The photos are not up yet but when I see them I will upload some to show you. I didn't take any, I only had my phone and it was nearly out of battery. As per usual I had no idea any of this was happening today until I got to school. Ugh. 

Minor side note - 

After pashing a Korean boy the other week I keep having flashbacks and nightmares that he is in high school (you CANNOT tell how old some of these guys are ok? It's not just me everyone says they look super young) and that i will see him around Songtan in his uniform with his mum or something. 

I swear to you he was at the ceremony today. Its someones older brother I know it. He was on the other side of the gym and maybe didn't notice me (what a fucking joke as if he didn't I am the only foreigner I stick out like a sore thumb) and at the end of it all I bailed out the other entrance and went straight up to the conference room. Who knows maybe it wasn't the same guy - but I am not taking any chances. I thought he looked smug when I said where I worked... Ugh.

ANYWAY back to the main story.

After that there was a little bit of time before the Principal's goodbye ceremony. So I took that opportunity to pee and to find a hot pack. Hot packs are the best things in the world, they really should get these in Australia. For winter, you just put them in your pocket and they keep warm all day. And they only cost 500won. 

This ceremony took forever and I had no idea what was going on. The Principal appeared to be having an ok time and he gave the longest speech in history. He pretty much told his entire life story but there were pictures too so at least I had some idea what he was saying. Pics of his military service, wedding, births of his children, their weddings, birth of grandchildren, different schools he has taught at... I think the guy is mid 60's but I could be wrong. 

We then had a super awesome lunch, it was some sort of beef stew and was really tasty, I copied the other teachers and tipped my rice into the bowl and it was goooood. And we got fruit too. I think I have now gone over my calorie intake for the day cos of the rice so I don't know what i will have for dinner now :( chicken and salad I spose.

So now I am sitting here at my desk, with Co beside me and I am blogging and playing fb scrabble with Mathil, Jess and Sara. Anyone else wanna play just hit me up. 

Lunar New Year

I scored big time and ended up with a 5 day weekend. I had the Friday, Monday and Tuesday off, but the only problem was I was told at the last minute. I think I may have complained about that last week. Anyway, Mathil and I ended up having a big night on Thurs as she was also off on the Friday, and I was drunk until pretty much Sunday. It was such a great weekend, hanging with old friends, meeting new friends and learning some pick-up lines in Korea (thanks HeeJin!!!). I wish every weekend was as fun, and I also wish that I can know earlier next time so I can plan to get out of the province. 

OMG update! I was just told I can have tomorrow and Friday off too!!! I love Korea!!! 사랑해!!!!

And again. I wish I had known sooner so I could have planned to get out of the province. So I have a 4 day weekend now and I will be hanging around here again... Boo...

Actually, I think I might take myself into the city tomorrow and go to a museum or something. I know it will be a little lonely but I am a big girl I am sure I can manage! I will let you know where I go and how I get along :)

Anyway, now I am so excited about my days off I can't even type. I think Friday I will go hunting for foreign food ingredients and do some cool cooking! And I want to try making the cool Korean noodle dish I love so much.

SO MUCH TO PLAN g2g guys.

Hope everyone else is having a fab day! The Year of the Snake is gonna be an awesome one! Haha talk about a 180 turn in my feeling on horoscopes huh. I am so funny I bet you are all dying with laughter right now. 

Enjoy, citizens.

xoxo

Book review - Dodger

Ok, so I have not reviewed a book since high school, and it for for an assignment. I am not pretending that I am any good at book reviews so please hold back judgement and harsh criticism (but constructive feedback and opinions are always welcome!). There is a bit of a spoiler alert, so sorry in advance. I did really enjoy this book, it was light-hearted and easy to read. I give it 3 and a half paws outta 5.

Dodger - Terry Pratchett

Pic courtesy of Wikipedia, cover design by  Paul Kidby

Basic plot

This book is set in London sometime during the early years of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and the main protagonist is Dodger. This character is clearly based on the well known Artful Dodger (a character of Charles Dickens, who incidently is also a character in the story) but as a young man living pretty much on the streets as a tosher. In this tale the young Dodger happens across some men beating up on a girl and comes to her rescue. He then makes it his primary concern to see that she is kept safe from the people trying to hurt her. He makes some unlikely friends and finds help in unlikely places, and ultimately the boy gets the girl and there are happy endings all round. Sorry for ruining the ending but there you go.

My thoughts?

I think my favorite character was Simplicity, the girl that Dodger rescues and falls in love with. She has a back story that you never actually get to hear about but is hinted at, and I like that I can kind of invent her story myself. You have enough sketchy details to make it cool. And I really like how she saw past the fact the Dodger is a street rat. 

Something about the whole thing reminded me of the latest 3 Musketeers movie (the one that come out some time in the 2000's, with the young super cute guy) where the lowly unlikely hero ends up dining with royalty and gets the pretty lady. 

The funniest thing is I don't usually read these types of stories, I usually prefer something more serious. I also used to go mental for a good sci-fi fantasy story but I have gone off them a bit recently. 

Writing?

It is well written. But it should be, Terry Pratchett is a really famous author so if it was bad it would be a worry. The English is easy to read and follow, unlike some books I have read that try and use "old English". I look at books now and try and decide what level of reader it would be suitable for. If they had reasonable good comprehension this book is suitable for high level middle school, there is a little bit of violence but nothing too bad, a bit of kissing but only really light and cute. No sex or sexual references. No innuendo  There are some very uncommon expressions and metaphors that ESL learners would have trouble with but it might make for a good conversation topic. I would think it could potentially be used for high school or adult reading classes, none of the words were too bad for pronunciation and all that but I have never had to pick a book for this sort of thing before. 

If we were at home and I was teaching a class of Australian students I think it would actually be a fun book to use for reading activities. I have no idea what age it is aimed at but I would think older teens would have no problems, and even younger teens might enjoy it. 

I have never read any of Mr. Pratchett's other books, but I know he is famous for the Discworld novels... I did enjoy this book so maybe I will give some of his other stuff a try. 

So, i'm not sure... in reviews am I supposed to talk about themes? Because I don't really know much about this type of thing. 

When I read books I try not to over analyse things. Some books stay with me for a long time after I read them, and even then I don't know if I would want to start dissecting it. So I won't do it for this one either (or any of the other ones I may or may not review). All up, yes, I would recommend this story for a light, easy read. Was it one of the most amazing stories ever? No. It was not a serious read although I suppose there were some darker themes in it. 

:D

In other news...

I am still trying to figure out exactly how this school calender works. It seems that now I have no classes until March, and the students actually have the last 2 weeks of February off for 'spring break'. So I will be desk warming until then. On the plus side we have a seriously long weekend coming up, I get the Friday, Monday AND Tuesday off for Lunar New Year. So thats super cool. I just wish I had known sooner cos I might have been able to plan something fun. 

I am really sad at school that one of my co workers is leaving. Jeong I will miss you!!!! Who will I talk to at school now?!?!?!?! But good luck with your studying. 

The first of my Korea friends is going home soon. And so comes to pass the things I have been dreading - saying goodbye to friends. I know this was to be expected, but that doesn't mean I am happy about it. I like to think that the friendships I am making here in Korea will be life long but I know how hard it is to keep in contact with people you don't see every day. Look at high school! Pretty much all of us still live in the same state and we never catch up. So I know it will be hard for my friends overseas. I must be very diligent about keeping in contact and staying connected. And the longer I am here and the more we all hang out the closer everyone gets. I am gonna cry like a baby when my besties start dropping off. Thank God Jess is here forever wuahahahahaha.

Anyway, signing out for now. I'm starting another book today so maybe after the weekend I will have another stupidly written review for ya.

xoxoxoxo