Have yourself a very Merry Christmas!

Here's just a little video of my cutest students ever to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!  About a month ago I started teaching 4 year old's English three times a week and this past week we were working on Christmas words.  They are so cute, I hope you enjoy!

And here's a little song for you...

Danny and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope you remember the real reason for the season!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
~ Luke 2: 10-12

Korean Punishment: what happens to the trouble makers.

Corporal punishment in Korea can be an interesting subject, especially when you aren't from Korea.  When I was thinking about writing about punishments students get here in Korea, I really wanted to make sure I wrote about it in the right way.  I want to make sure it is clear that Danny and I don't think hitting a student is ever warranted, however we know that because this isn't our culture, we have to realize that we can't go imposing all our thoughts into the Korean mindset. The first time we had to think about it was when Danny and I were interviewed for our first job teaching in Korea and we were asked how we would respond when seeing different kinds of punishment that we weren't used to.  In America you can't even touch a student let alone hit them, so we really didn't know what to expect.

Punishment to students has different degrees, and thankfully many laws have  recently been passed to start banning corporal punishment in Korea.  I won't be talking about punishments where there is contact between the teacher and student, just about the silly positions they are put into when they do something wrong.  Most punishments Danny and I have seen are more comically pathetic than anything.  Here are a few of the top ones seen in schools today...

Kneeling with hands above their head is a "favorite" for many students.  This punishment is one that we have seen a lot and it is usually accompianied by a very stern looking teacher busy scolding the students.  The students may also have to hold a position resembling the "downward dog" yoga pose.  Usually the students only have to do this for a few minutes but I imagine that if you are really mischievous you probably are gaining some toned arms in your school career.  I had to laugh that when we asked some students to "model" these punishments for us because they instantly got a defeated look on their face instantly like they've done it before.  Oh, boys.

Crouching down in a squatting position is also another common punishment to see.  You might think that boys are most familiar with all the usual consequences of wrong-doings, but these girls seemed to know just what to do when I asked them  ; ) 

I wanted to make sure my face REALLY said, "I'm sorry!"

Danny and I are really glad that we landed a great job at Andong English Village where there is absolutely NO forceful punishment done. The usual punishment we see going on (usually multiple times a day ; ) is the classic "standing against the wall, contemplating what you did wrong" position.  It's kind of a daily curiosity of mine to walk by the main office and see how many students are "enjoying" a little wall time.

The last and more comical one in my opinion is the "waddle" punishment.  I first encountered this sight last year as I was walking into to school in the morning.  Apparently students were late to class so their punishment was to waddle like a duck all the way to their classroom.  I feel in some ways that it is counter productive since it takes a long time to waddle, and they were already late, but again hey, who am I to judge?  I think I would choose this punishment if I had to just because at least it would get a laugh!

There is one thing in common with all punishments given to students, and perhaps you may have noticed it in all the pictures... students always keep their heads down and won't look you in the eye.  Coming from a culture the highly values eye contact, I think this is one of the most subtle and interesting cultural differences between western and eastern culture.

The "American" stare down.

As an American, I am very familiar with the phrase, "Look me in the eyes when I'm talking to you!" as I suspect many of you are as well, when consequences are being dished out.  We westerners see it as rude and disrespectful to look away especially when it comes to being punished.

Korea is not that way at all.  I had to laugh as we set up to take this picture of one of our students, Gabriel, as the "teacher" and Danny posing as the "student".  Gabriel perfectly embodied what a Korean teacher looks like when he is punishing a student: stern face, hands in the pockets, looking at the top of the offender's head.  It would be extremely rude for Danny or any student to try and have eye contact with their teacher at a moment like this, and that is still something we have to get used to.  If you try and correct a student, they will instantly look away, and because of my culture, I always want to tell them to look AT me!

Bad boy, Danny.

I think as time goes on, corporal punishment is disappearing from Korean culture, but unfortunately we know it still exists (from experience).  As many Koreans would agree, there are many things that need to be looked at and changed in their education system, and hopefully those changes will come soon.  At least Danny and I have learned that it is important to remember that you can't force your value system onto a country in which you are a guest, but it is also important for us to try to use our job as a chance to show these kids a fun and loving environment.  Kids will be kids and make lots of mistakes so consequences will always exist, however I think maybe loosing all the blood in one's arms can soon be replaced with different and equally effective punishments.  Let's just hope Koreans don't adopt their evolving punishments from the Wilson or Doerksen family... let's just say that a wooden paddle spanking wasn't fun either ; )

Danny's Hotel Class...it's no Hilton.

I would say our job at the English Village is unique because we don't have to teach "normal" classes like many other English teachers.  I "normally" teach Yoga class, Bank, and Post Office and Danny gets to teach his own share of subjects: Grocery Store, Math, and Hotel class.   All of Danny's classes are fun (of course they are if you know Danny ;) and can produce interesting products... especially Hotel class.  Danny talks about parts of a hotel and then has students create their own hotel.  We have seen robot hotels, ghost hotels, chicken hotels and much more, but this week students seemed to be especially interested in involving Danny and I in their hotels. 

Here are some of our favorites...

Our lovely family and introducing our sweet children
Damy and Kamy!

Looks like there some lovin' going on by the pool...
and possibly someone might be drowning, we're not sure.

They wanted to make sure that we knew
who was stupid and who was cute... that's right!



I don't quite know what's going on, but I look like I'm rockin'
out on something and Danny has crazy hair.

 Some other hotels that needed "honorable" mentions or just to be shown because they are so ridiculous...

What a great name, right? 

Who wouldn't want to stay at the blood hotel?  It is even complete with a blood pool and a bleeding appliances! Yuck.

Wanna go for a swim? Ewwww.

This receptionist sure looks inviting at the "Kill Hotel"...


What a nice looking guy! Yeah right.


Danny was very impressed that even the lights where people who were hung from the ceiling.  It's really amazing what boys can come up with...

That hotel room is going to take a lot of cleaning up
after those guys get finished bleeding everywhere!

And at last the "Chicken Hotel".  The kids were cracking up with how similar "check-in" counter sounded like "chicken" counter.  Gotta love kids...

I bet you can guess which were made by boys and which were made by sweet innocent girls : ) Kids always keep this place interesting!  I don't know if we've ever had a boring week when it involves crazy Korean children.  We hope these pictures brightened your day and encourages you to look for more interesting places to stay next time you go to a hotel... just stay away from anything with "die" in the name ; ) 

Christmas done the "creative" way...

I must say that I am in the Christmas spirit this year!  Even though it hasn't snowed here in Andong yet (tear) and they don't really decorate quite like America, I'm excited for Christmas to come.  I'm especially excited for the decorations that we put up last week, mainly our tree.  You can't buy Christmas trees here in Korea so you have to be creative.  Last year we used what some might call a branch for our Christmas tree, but this year we thought we'd try something different...

Last year's tree (I still love that Charlie
Brown branch!)

AND NOW...

This year's tree. (In case you can't guess, that is
our mirror under all that goodness.)

Our tree is constructed out of felt and staples.  Not bad if I do say so myself : )  Before we decided on the crafty version, I walked around our neighborhood and briefly considered cutting down a tree from the yard across the street, but then I thought "tis' the season not to commit a crime"... thus our felt tree was born.

Who needs to spend a ton of money on decorations this season?  Not us!  I hope if you are away from home this holiday season, you too find a way to get some Christmas cheer.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

Koreans: Always Entertaining

Danny and I have learned that Korean people have definitely adopted the saying, "Go big or go home!"  When Koreans decide to do something they go for with everything they've got.  Two examples that we experienced this week were right here on Andong University's campus.

Me posing with the election mascot.

This week, Danny and I were unassumingly walking to work when we noticed a large group of Koreans wearing matching jackets dancing around.  Although flash mobs are one of my favorite things, I realized that this wasn't a spur of the moment dance but that it was strictly to promote student elections.  In my university when people ran for student body they maybe attached their name to a lollipop and handed out fliers that said, "Vote for so and so", but here in Korea that isn't enough.

Elections here involve extreme chants, organized dances, sashes and professional grade campaigning.  Each candidate must want it pretty bad if they put this much work into trying to become president, but honestly I think Koreans will take any chance to show off their K-Pop (Korean pop music) skills : )

Another entertaining experience had to do with our boss' birthday.  The other Andong English Village teachers and I decided to get Rachel some flowers for her birthday and again it was "go big or go home"!  After doing some miming and humming of "Happy Birthday", we got the florist to understand that we wanted to buy a bouquet.  As she set out to make our bunch of flowers we didn't realize that we were in for an event.  The woman began grouping the flowers together, but it didn't stop at a simple bouquet.  First she got the flowers together... then she added some white fringe to make it fancy, but WAIT, THERE'S MORE!  Then came some ridiculous pink lace, green wrappings, and finally a huge bow that could have also been found on a brand new car that also would have been given as a gift.  After 15 minutes of hard work, what a masterpiece it was!

Dun, dun, dun, DA!

I felt like I was could have been leading the Rose Bowl parade with that bouquet, but again that is just how it is done here in Korea.  Danny and I would consider our style as more simplistic, which usually doesn't match up with the Korean way with their crazy wallpaper and their party trains and their floral print clothing, but as always Korea keeps us entertained!  Good times in Krazy Korea!

Danny's ABC Rap... WHA?!

Every week we have to do a performance with the kids at the end of the camp.  This can either be really great or a slow form of torture, but either way it is fun to see what kind of show the kids end up with.  Of course, Danny's is usually awesome (mine on the other hand can go either way), but how can you go wrong when doing an ABC Rap?  Hope you enjoy!

Beware of Fan Death!

As spring finally is here, I have to warn you about a very serious problem that is approaching... fan death.  Yes, that's right, you heard me... now say it again in a serious and scary voice...FAN DEATH.  Now you might be asking "What is fan death?".  You are in luck because never fear, I am here to warn you about a horrible and painful fan death that may get you before you know what hit you! 

Fan death is a serious and dangerous problem in Korea. (I tried to type that without laughing, I really did!; ) As the weather gets warmer, it becomes necessary to use air conditioning and fans, and with that comes fan death.  It is believed here in Krazy Korea that if you turn on the air conditioning or a fan without opening a window, you WILL suffocate.  The air cycles and doesn't ever get replenished so eventually you will die from lack of oxygen... dun, Dun, DUN. 

Danny and I started to notice at our schools that Koreans would open the window as soon as the air con was turned on and that was when we were introduced to fan death.  Now some might think, "Aren't you wasting perfectly good cold air by letting all that hot air in?" but you can't be too careful when it comes to breathing.  Danny said that growing up when he would leave a door or window open in the summer, Papa D (his Dad) would say, "Were you born in a barn?" but if you don't open the window the Koreans say, "What, do you want to die?!"

Apparently, the news reports at least a few fan deaths each year so that keeps all the Koreans nice and afraid and wasting air conditioning everywhere.  Danny and I personally risk death every night in the hotter spring and summer because we like to live on the edge, but BEWARE and be CAREFUL of all the air conditioners and fans that surround you... they could be silent killers.

Some Big News!

I guess I should get straight to the point: Danny and I have some big news... on Christmas Eve we accepted another year-long position teaching English here in Korea! (Haha, I bet a lot of you thought I was pregnant, didn't you? Sorry!) Yeah, I know... what are we thinking? Well let me explain our thoughts and hopefully it will help put you, and Danny and I, more at ease because we are still not sure what we got ourselves into.

Christmas Eve we accepted jobs teaching at Andong National University. We will no longer be at our boys high schools but instead teaching different students at a place called the English Village. Basically it is an intensive English program that students will come to for 4 days and learn English in a kind of "camp setting". We aren't really sure of all the details but we know that we will teach different students every week (also like camp), and my favorite part, we will only have 4 day work weeks! Oh yeah! (I find it ironic that we left jobs at a camp to come to Korea and get into another camp setting... God has a sense of humor I think ; )

Again, Danny and I have mixed feeling about this next year. We are excited about the possibility of being able to travel more, save more money, and spend more time in this carefree lifestyle, but of course we miss our friends and family. Especially during the holidays it is hard to be away, so I know that it will be even harder to be away for another year, but we feel like this is the right thing to do, so here we are! I hope this next year we will have more visitors (wink, wink) to help us not feel so far away from home. ; ) Just a thought. Anyways, I'll share more info about this crazy decision in the future, but for now we are excited to see where God takes us in this next adventure.

I thought I would just add some random pictures onto this post to give you a little glimpse of things that we will be seeing for ANOTHER year. Good times in Krazy Korea!

Here's a traditional looking mask that we see often being in the city that holds the annual Mask Dance Festival

The cutest harmony's (grandmothers) ever playing the Korean game Yunnori.

Koreans love to get decked out to go hiking... fashion is important even on a mountain!

The cutest Korean harl-a-boji (grandpas) playing Chang-gi (Korean chess) by a park. You can tell I have a thing for the old people here... I just think they are so cute!

Lotus lanterns at a temple.

A lady making tdeok (Korean rice cake). She's got to have some awesome arms muscles to do that!

A Korean symbol shaped like a bird that is everywhere that is supposed to protect the village or house.

Koreans are the masters of side dishes!

Barefoot is not just a comfortable thing here, it is a requirement in many places.

We'll definitely be seeing a lot more of this: a view of the river from a bridge in Andong.

Again, for a shameless plug, you too could see all of these wonderful sites and more when you come to visit us! Oh yeah! To conclude all of this, I think the lesson I am learning in life right now is that things never really turn out the way you think they are going to. Who knew that Danny and I would live in Korea for 1 year, let alone 2! I guess you and we will just have wait to see what other adventures are in store for us here in Andong! Until then, have a very Happy New Year and don't forget us!