Charpie's Travels

There was a rash of kinder students walking around on the sides of their feet today. My student started it. She hobbled over to me yesterday and said in her raspy voice, "Teacher, I am broken leg." And how did I know that her left leg was her "broken" leg? Well, she wore a normal shoe on her right foot and her inside slipper on her left foot. She also worked up a decent limp by walking on the side of her left foot. Yesterday, Maro had one broken leg. Today, she grabbed my arm with both hands, quit standing so I was suddenly holding her weight, and informed me, "Teacher I am TWO broken legs!" She stuck with one normal shoe and one inside shoe, but now she walked on the outsides of both feet. On the way to bathroom break, I noticed Annabelle trying out the new walking technique. I spotted a couple others and, by lunchtime, some teachers were puzzling over why kindergarteners were walking on the sides of their feet. Way to inspire, Maro.

Between my house and the subway station, there is a small bakery. I stop there sometimes...mainly for mocha bread. When I went in a couple weekends ago, a new girl was working. "Helloooo!!" I rarely am greeted in English and, with the exception of a few pre-kinder kids, no one sounds that excited when they see me. She asked the usual questions about where I'm from, informed me that English is very hard, and picked out an extra pastry for me.  "Service-uh," she said as she stuffed it in my purse. That's Korean for "this one is free."  Sunday morning I stopped again for mocha bread and a coffee. Same worker, same enthusiastic greeting. Well, possibly more enthusiastic. She even remembered my name! I realize I don't exactly blend in here, but I still thought it impressive that she remembered my name. Among other things, she established that she is my "big sister." In Korea, you are friends with people who are the same age a...

Should you ever decide to teach elementary children in Korea, there are two questions you must be prepared to answer. Some students will confront you right away. Others must warm up to you for a few days or weeks. But they will ask. And they will do so mid-lecture, or mid-sentence, or pretty much anytime they like. 1. Are you married? 2. How old are you? (best guess so far: 36 years old)