update

The long stretch of only school related activity continues, but I thought I would update a bit on what I've done.  My after-school classes have been keeping me really busy as there is no curriculum for them, simply what I want to do.  I describe those classes as a welcomed burden... they can be an absolute horror to plan for, but I see the genuine interest in the students as I teach.  That is a welcomed change from the slow and boring national curriculum that I teach every day!!!  Thus far I've taught about natural disasters with my 5th-6th graders, and animals with my 3rd-4th graders... The younger students gave presentations about animals and I was very impressed with about 85% of my class.  Next up is alternative energy with my older students, and my younger students' class is being taken over by an actress who is teaching a play for the English festival that is coming in June.

School volleyball has continued with an increased intensity.  I'm split on how I feel about this, as a local restaurant has a banner proclaiming they're the official hangout or restaurant of the school's vball team.  We also have been coached by an ex-member of the S. Korean national volleyball team.  I enjoy the exercise and bonding it has brought on, but it can be difficult to plan around the volleyball schedule since I usually get less than 24 hours notice about our matches.  Recently we played in a tournament between 8 or so schools and took first place.  You had to be over the age of 40 or be a female to participate so I was tasked with cheering on the team via "highting" yelps.  "highting" is the korean way of saying "fighting" and is a team unity cheer to get everyone revved up.  or so i think?

Here's a photo of the team and fellow "highting" yelpers



Not much else is new.  I should be home from July 24th-August 5th, but plane tickets have not been purchased yet, so don't bank on that.

That'll be all for now.
Hope all is well with whoever reads this.

keith