This is "Ticher Sheeturr"

The walk to school this morning was like something from a movie. I have to walk through a market place to cross a bridge and then pass a few apartment buildings before I reach Sinchen Elementary. Walking through the market, I greeted a number of old folk... just a gentle head bow...

There's a certain corner that I have to take and it seems like a lot of the students from Sinchen live in that area. As I approached this corner, I saw a few kids alert their friends about something and then they all turned to look my way. Many kids who passed me stopped in their tracks, bowed and said "ahn-yang-ho-say-oh" (hello). Sometimes I get tongue twisted if I say "hello" in Korean too often.

So I walked a few metres and as I approached the school, I swear there were about 15 boys and girls scurrying behind me and when I looked over my shoulder, they all chanted "Hiiiiii!" and when I sang "hiiii" back to them, they giggled like crazy!

Teachers here are spoiled (at least the ones at my school). Each grade has a 'teachers room', and since I am teaching 4th, 5th and 6th grade, I spend time in different rooms. I can't believe the amount of snacks available to teachers... coffee, tea, hot chocolate, chips (savoury & sweet), ice cream, frozen snacks, noodles.... and so on.

One of the 4th grade teachers (Mr Lee) insists I give a housewarming party.... and he just giggles when he see's me. I think he's laughing @ me, cause I speak to him as if he understands what I'm trying to say.

The cleaning lady, Mrs Je is adorable and keeps wanting to give me more food after lunch (today was rice and tofu - not too bad). And she went on in Korean about how she has a 35 year old daughter etc etc... (thank you, Angelina for translating!)

I was introduced to 2 new classes today. The kids assume that because I am Indian I know a certain Indian wrestler (what's his name? .... something Ali?) So I just say yes I know him and they go giddy with excitement.

They wanted to see my friends, so my co-teacher had me go online to show them pics. Each class has a big screen TV (some plasma) which is connected to the PC. I logged onto facebook and showed the kids photos of my family & friends

(David & Reeshen: comments about you.... "ahhhh teacher friend handsum")

My co-teacher says that my principal, Mr Cho is concerned about me ...he noticed I eat very little at lunch, and he wants Angelina (my co-teacher) to teach me how to cook Korean tofu and rice. Isn't he sweet.

Then there's Mr Kim - the physics teacher. My nickname for him is COOL GUY cause he is pretty funky... ;) He comes to talk to me, but waits a few seconds as he formulates sentences in his mind.

After school, Angelina and I walked around visiting different classrooms... I visited Hyun Jung who teaches the handicapped/disabled kids... I'm going to sit in on her class and maybe help next week when I don't have an English class.

I went shopping with Angelina after school and found a bakery called PARIS BAGUETTE.... the most amazing things I've seen... like a bread roll with chocolate balls inside...

After shopping, Angelina said she'd help me clean my kitchen. We scrubbed and wiped till our fingers were sore. She was so kind to help me... now at least I have a clean kitchen... Will post pics of my apartment real soon - it's already feeling like home.