My first week of teaching is over and it was hard. On Friday, I felt sorry for my own students because I knew my class was so boring. I feel like I need more time to prepare and to come up with more creative ways to teach the material. Sometimes I don't even know if the kids are learning or are just reciting the books like programmed robots.

But overall I do like it. It will get easier. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I teach 7 classes, between 35 minutes and 50 minutes long. The kids range from grade 1 to grade 6. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I only teach 2 classes, and the rest of the time I help in the research room. My project for this semester involves writing comprehension tests for books that kids can take out on loan. I was going through the pile of books and there are lots from when I was a kid, like Mrs. Nelson has a Field Day, and Mrs. Nelson Goes to School, and many more that I can't remember right now. I think it will be a fun project.

This weekend I met up with Gavin Hee from high school. He has been here for almost four years working for one of the big schools. He was teaching and now he works in their computer department. I haven't seen him since graduation. We met up and he took me to Namdaemun Market. I got lost on the subway first and showed up one hour late. But anyway this market was insane! They sold everything. Gavin needed new glasses, and got a set for $30: $15 for the frames, $15 for the lenses and a free eye test. So the bidding can start on how many pairs of glasses I come home with. The market had vendors in booths, and then more vendors in the aisles. There was clothing, shoes, bags, jewelery, groceries, movies, and then booths where you could order food (I didn't stop to see if there were any stinky bug food stands, Lewis Family. But I will check out the Domdaemun Market). It was overwhelming and I have to go back someday. I bought some dried mango.

Everyday I meet someone new in the building. There are LOTS of foreign teachers. So this Friday night, we are having a Waygook Floor Crawl. Its like a pub crawl, but we go from apartment to apartment for a different drink. Some of the drinks will be So Flos (Soju floats), Soju Jello shooters and plain old beer. The only rule is that we cannot use the elevators. Should be fun.

So now I am sitting on my bed, with my delicious cup of instant coffee. It's raining outside monsoon style and I have to work in a few hours. I actually enjoy all the downtime I have.

I forgot to mention this sooner. Thank you to everyone for the well wishes before I left and all the emails, notes and gifts. I really appreciate everyone thinking of me and I will do my best to keep in touch personally on a regular basis.