Today during the weekly teacher's meeting, Mr. Shin bought everyone chicken wings because our English department won an award and a $1,000 grant from the Education Ministry (or something like that...). Anyway, I never go to those meetings because they are conducted all in Korean, so when I returned to my desk, I found a dixie cup full of chicken wings and a carton of the accompanying sweet pickled radishes (to fight the spice?) waiting for me. As I ate the chicken and checked my e-mail to kill time until 5:00, the principal invited me to sit at the community table in the middle of the teacher's office to share the rest of the chicken. She wanted to chat, so she lured me in with food. Like I've said, she's a smart lady :) When she asked me to join her, she said, "Noelle teacher. Join me. We have dinner party! (Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle.)" I joined her, and soon we had accrued quite a group with the vice principal, Mr. Shin and another big wig guy who always has something funny to say. The principal insisted that everyone speak English and we had quite the conversation. Here are some snippets:
Principal: Noelle. I buy you food. You teach me English. Okay?
Noelle: Like a bribe?
P: Yes. Yes. Bribe. Okay?
N: You know me too well.
-------------
Other Teacher: Noelle. I hear you go Vietnam for winter break. I have been.
Noelle: Oh? Where?
OT: Ho Chi Minh City. Where you going?
N: Hanoi.
OT: You will like Vietnam. I recommend everyone go there. In park, I saw young couple make love.
(Everyone looks at him funny. I start laughing)
OT: Oh, oh. Just hug. And kiss.
More laughing.
OT: You won't see that in Hanoi. They are much more .... ..... (searching for word) open in Ho Chi Minh City.
N: Darn!
-----------
Principal: I must meet friend Jill.
Noelle: You will! She's coming to school with me.
P: She a good person.
N: Yes!
P: I know she must be. You good person and she your friend.
N: Thanks.
P: I think we have party at end of Winter Camp. When Jill leave to go America?
N: Jan. 18
P: (Camp goes until the 21st) Oh. We have midterm party then! We eat chicken! Jill like chicken?
N: Yes! That would be great. Jill would love that!
P: You are witness. Don't let Mr. Shin forget we decide to have party!
Everyone at the table agrees not to let Mr. Shin forget that he was told to throw a party. Mr. Shin just shakes his head...
P: You have other American friends?
N: Yes...
P: They come to Korea?
N: I hope so...
P: You tell them they come, I buy them chicken dinner.
N: Haha... Okay! I'll tell them!
P: Parents too. I want meet them!
N: Oh, you will! They want to meet you too!
P: I like you. You stay at school long time. 2014?
You heard it here first. If you visit me, the principal promises to treat you to a chicken dinner! What more motivation do you need?!
Noelle,
ReplyDeleteIf I could afford the ticket, I would go and take part in the delight of a chicken dinner. :-D
Your co-workers sound amusing. ;-D