What an incredible week! Since last we talked so much has been happening. The first half of the week contained meeting after meeting and staying up late preparing for school. Lesson plans lay bare on the kitchen table awaiting construction like lost lego pieces yearning to be a castle. And in between, preparations in the dorm shaped our everyday lives and rooms had to be inspected and each detail cared for.
During this time, we have received our Alien Registration numbers. I can't describe how exciting that piece of information is for Leigh Anne and I! So many things hang on that very insignificant row of numbers. We can now have cellphones, buy things online, and purchase a car (with insurance!). Luckily, the school has taken care of some of the other aspects of living for us. We do not have to worry about paying for internet, cable t.v. is coming soon, and a few other items I can't think of, but all require the A.R. number. Crazy!
Last week was also special because it was the Korean holiday of Chuseok. It is the Korean form of Thanksgiving. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuseok. No one worked on Monday or Tuesday. Even construction halted, which amazed all of us being the kids would show up in less than a week and there was still plenty to be done. We didn't even have desks in our classrooms until Wednesday. Anyway, nothing was open either, not that it mattered since we are pretty isolated. Leigh Anne and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to ride our new bicycles around. The cafeteria was closed on that day as well, some of our new friends invited us over for a potluck barbecue! It was near what could be found in Texas, but it would have to do. We've also been hanging around with a couple from Canada, Bryan and Selina. They are awesome--even for Canadians, ha! Truly, though, they are so kind and have a great sense of humor. It'll be a good year with them around. Both have lived in Korea before and loved it so they decided to come back. They were actually the first teachers hired for the school.
Wednesday was preparation for D-Day (Dorm Day). We scrambled to make sure all preparations were in place for the kids. We were so excited for this day to come but realized how brutal the next few days would be. Thursday was a beautiful day! The weather was warm, and the students promptly showed up. The 8th graders came first, then the 7th and 6th graders. It's amazing to see the drastic change in maturity between 6th and 8th graders. I guess that doesn't change no matter where you are in the world. Everyone basically worked 14-16 hour days since Thursday. The kids have been playing games, going to the beach, hiking, and learning all the rules. I've learned that for most, outside activity comes third or fourth on their priority list. What I really like about this school is the idea of teaching the "whole" child--not just educationally. There are the typical music and sports programs, but then there is also yoga, cooking, writing, hiking, storytelling and so much more. It truly is incredible! I can't really qualify it as being an Outward Bound school because there is still an intense focus on education, but it comes awful close.
All the kids are here and tomorrow is the first day of school. I sit writing this in my classroom and sometimes gazing out of the window at the hill in the distance and the ocean beyond or at the grass being laid for the soccer field and thinking of all of you; wishing you were here experiencing this with us. I only have a few pictures this week, but there will definitely be more. Lots of Love!
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