I'm going to be a doctor - a literary doctor mind you, not a blood and guts, save your life kind of doctor. Back in February I applied to the Phd program at the University of Dallas and last week I learned that I had been accepted. I'm very excited and a little nervous.

"I like to be in America"

I am home - I have actually been home since last Monday. It is so wonderful I would rather like to stay here forever. It has been surprisingly easy to transition back to American life although I still feel more at home when I see Asian people. Last weekend Laura and I visited Jen in Williamsburg. We wandered around the historic district, watched Juno, went kayaking, and did lots of cooking. Well, everyone else did lots of cooking - I mostly set the table :) It was a splendid trip. Now, I am home doing family things like celebrating birthdays! I am so, so happy to be back.

Becoming Korean

So I think that I've been in Korea way too long. To whit, while I was running earlier this week, I saw an African-American woman walking three dogs, and, well, I sort of stared at her. Now I am not racist in any way, shape, or form, nor have I lived in an ethnic bubble (My family has lived in DC for the past 8 years) but it is very unusual to see that particular skin tone in any Asian country. Actually, I stare at all Westerners. Covertly mind you, not like the little kids who stop, open-mouthed and point at me like I'm some freak of nature. Nevertheless, I do stare. Going back to the states will be a bit of an adjustment. Today, I went into Seoul and two different Koreans started to ask me information about the bus and the subway. And another man in a department store said he thought I was Korean. I'm kind of ready to be an American again :)

An Expression of Love

Tomorrow is Teacher's Day in Korea and I believe that it was the inspiration for the note I received from a student today. I have transcribed it in all its glory.
It was addressed To: Flora  From: Tiffany

Hello Tiffany
I'm Flora. Now adays very hot. So a cold heed and
I study instruct thank you very much
My you teache 'min' say very sorry!
I'm English study is fun. Teacher I love

I love how she declares who she is at the beginning and feels the need to make casual conversation about the weather. (By 'min' she means "mean."My students like to tell me this, in Korean of course, whenever I tell them no.) I'm not exactly sure how a "cold heed" will help me survive the sweltering heat, but, hey, its the thought that counts. I guess could wear some kind of iced hat or regularly take dips in the city fountains. Yet another adorable but slightly garbled letter from a student! One of my favorite parts of being a teacher.

An Update!!!

I just discovered that one of my students is about thirty pages ahead in her spelling book because her mother has decided that I am not moving through the material quickly enough. My student also told me that if she does not progress, at a speed her mother deems appropriate, she will quit. From I can tell progress means finishing the book (Korean parents are obsessed with external accomplishments) It was rather an unpleasant revelation to receive in the middle of class. I kind of wanted to cry. I want so much for my student's to actually absorb the material, not just complete the books. It felt like a slap in the face.

On a much happier note, Spring has arrived in Korea and it is beautiful. The city I live in is new and a beneficiary of city planning so there are flowers everywhere. Beautiful, luminous flowers - pink, purple, tropical orange, and white. Huge, thick patches on the side of the road and in parks. 

         I absolutely love the white flowers :)

                                         So many colors!

Before now I was not terribly impressed with the Korean landscape, but Spring has improved my opinion. Also, because of field trips and school exams I have had four classes instead of five this week. And next Tuesday is Children's Day- so it will be another light week!

Lazy and Unapologetic

I have been remiss in my posting. For some reason I've felt overwhelmed by the thought of writing. Its so much work and I tend to agonize over word choice, order, sentence structure, etc. This tends to be beneficial for essay writing but not for blogging. I am still feeling lazy so this will be a bullet points post highlighting exciting events from the past few weeks.

1. I had two more seizures three weeks ago. I was admitted to the hospital for the day and released in the evening. Last week I met with the doctor and he said that they don't really know what caused the seizures as all my tests have been normal. He prescribed medicine that I would have to take for at least three years. I have not decided what to do about that.

2. Aaron and I visited Hwaseong Fortress - a defensive wall built in the 1700's. It was actually much more interesting then it sounds. It was mostly a very big stone wall, but there were also many traditional Korean structures throughout the fortress. I love the beautiful curves of Eastern Architecture.

3. I bonded with two of my students while listening to the Beatles on Youtube a few weeks ago. Although we are separated by language and culture, we found common ground through the immortal music of the Beatles. It was pretty sweet.

4. On the flip side, two students accused me of cheating. In their opinion, I helped the opposing team with unfair hints. Basically, the students were supposed to spell a word and I simply defined that word for them. Boy, was the other team mad. That was pretty much high treason in their eyes. There is enough personal drama involved in teaching kids to inspire a hit soap opera or show on the CW. (That distinction was probably redundant :) )

More Birthday wishes

From Max:

Thank you always. 

And I want happy you.

My presant eat when you are tired. 

From Sarah:

Happy Birthday Tifny.

Tiffny you're happy? I am

happy one more time Happy birthday