It's Official!

Tickets have been purchased.  That's right folks.  This kid is coming home for three and a half glorious weeks in July and August (July 23 to August 18 to be exact).  Words cannot express my excitement.

Despite my continued love affair with Korea, it will be nice to be in an unconditionally familiar place surrounded by those who know me best.  As I gear up for this trip, I have been having the weirdest cravings.  Cravings for food I never eat at home - like rhubarb crisp, braunschweiger and chicken wings.  I figure I'd better take advantage of my (probably short-lived and exclusive to my Korean adventure) carnivorous ways.  I've also been having cravings to do weird things that I haven't done in years - like playing catch in our front yard - something I haven't done since middle school at least.  It's weird to realize the things I've been subconsciously missing, but funny too.

Nothing too juicy to report from school this week - pretty standard stuff for a four day week.  My students are adorable on a regular basis, as are many of the teachers, but one delightful conversation blends into another.  Here are the ones I distinctly remember:

(Desiree and I ate dinner at a new cupbap (fried rice served in a paper cup) restaurant that recently opened in our neighborhood.  We both had tuna dressing cupbap (tuna, mayonnaise, corn, rice, sesame seeds and seaweed) and found it to be quite satisfying and delicious.  Yesterday on my way home from school, I was talking to some of my favorite third grade students.
Student: Teacher.  Yesterday, you eat cupbap?
Noelle: Yes!  It was delicious.
Student: No Teacher. (shaking head and waving hands) That food (sounded more like pood) is .....
Another Student: JUNK-AH!
Student:  Yes.  Teacher.  That cupbap - junk!

I guess that shows how much I know about the properties of satisfactory cupbap!

If students walk into our class late, we make them sing a song in English in front of the whole class.  Yesterday, two girls walked in late.
Noelle:  Girls.  Why are you late?
Student: Oh Teacher.  Dress.  Good!
Noelle:  Thanks.  Why are you late?
Another Student: Teacher.  Very Beautiful.
Noelle:  Thanks.  Why are you late?
Student - realizing the sucking up was not working, she let out a sigh: Toilet.
Noelle: Ah ha!  Which song will you sing?
They chose Baby by Justin Bieber so Dionne and I accompanied them, singing the verses while they (along with the whole class) passionately sang the chorus.  Don't worry - I rapped too.  (I think of you every single time Jill - She woke me up daaaaily.  Don't need no Staaaaaarbucks!)

Today, Founder Kim visited our office.  He and Vice Principal Choi invited me to share a cup of coffee with them.  This, among several other small conversations, was a highlight.
Founder Kim: How long you stay in Korea?
Noelle: Less than one year!  I came in September.
Founder Kim:  You stay 10 years.  You marry Korean.  We make nice place for you live.
Noelle: (nervous laugh) hahaha. We'll see.

After a delightful (albeit somewhat intimidating...) chat, I had to leave to teach.  Founder Kim pointed at my huge cup of bright purple Tazo Passion tea and said, "You drinking whiskey?"  To which, I thought HA.  Yeah right.  This kid drink whiskey?  Puh-lease...  :)

Speaking of which, you can't imagine how much I am looking forward to Happy Hour at 405 4th Ave.  Bring on the G&T, Bob!  I am ready!