Birthday

At school, we have a birthday party about every couple of months for the kindergarten students (it depends on how many kids have a birthday that month). 

The birthday girls and boy are getting ready for their entrance.

After their entrance, they sit behind a bunch of food while we sing them some songs (the oh so catchy "Congrulations" song) and clap for them. 

Then, the birthday boy/girl puts on a short performance with their class. This is my class singing "Sing a Rainbow." They were confused, but they're only 5 and they're new to this. 

Then, the birthday girl/boy gets presents!

And more presents. This is usually the point where the presents start slipping out of the boy/girl's hands and all the Korean teachers rush to stop the presents from crashing to the floor. 

Finally, we sing them "Happy Birthday" and they cut the cake.

Field Trip

We took the kids on a field trip to the palace. It was kind of boring actually. The gardens weren't in bloom yet, but I think if I go back now it should look really nice. 

This is Daniel and Sophie. They are my little kindy students. Daniel is my favorite. Sophie is sweet but she's a little troublemaker. 

Taking off our shoes to go into the temple.

William, Ann, and Sophie. Ann used to be painfully shy and would cry everyday because she was so nervous in class. Now, she participates the most in class and is a little smarty pants. She's awesome. William loves to run at full speed and hug me, I swear one day that kid is going to knock me over.

Henry, Aileen, and David.

Vicky and Philip. Vicky is hilarious. She makes the best faces. She was pissed here cause she didn't want to hold Philip's hand. This is the best "smile" that I could get from her. 

Taking Politics Seriously

For the past couple of weeks there's been some heavy political campaigning in my neighborhood. Every weekend there's been a truck with a huge video screen on it parked at the intersection by my place. First, some guy yells on a megaphone, then they play a video of the politician with some hip music, and then people with sashes, that have the politicians face on them, do a little song and dance. Then they repeat it all. The people with the sashes are also at a lot of the subway stations handing out fliers and flashing peace signs to everyone. Oh, and when one of those trucks isn't parked at an intersection, it's driving around my neighborhood blaring music/speeches/propaganda.

These were the dancers/chanters. They were posted at all four corners. Their dance was a little weak compared to the performance I saw on Friday by another politician's group. Those guys were in some fly suits and their choreography was pretty tight. These guys are going to have to step it up if they want to win.