Happy Pepero Day

Today is Pepero Day.

What is a Pepero you ask? I've provided images of the gifts I received today (perks of being a teacher). Well, these are the ones I didn't eat yet, anyway.

I realize that from afar, the long heart covered Pepero looks slightly like a really long tampon... but inside the famliar looking wrapper, it's actually a cookie dipped in chocolate like the green box shows.

It took me a while to figure out what the kids were calling the day. It also took me a while to figure out why all the students were eating these cookies, but eventually I put two and two together.

It's like a Valentine's day or Sweetest day, and it's on 11/11 because the four ones look like Pepero sticks. Amusing, huh? I guess Hallmark isn't the only company banking off these type of days.

Little Devils

Before my day even barely began at the school today, two of my students found an eraser that I was holding, and instead of being good and asking for it, they tried to grab it out of my hand. In the process one of them broke my necklace. I was quite upset... it was only the 2nd time I'd worn it and I didn't even get past the morning. All the student could say was, "Oh easy fix."

Those same two students also discovered my belly button ring a little later by poking me in the stomach. Haha.. how do you explain a belly button ring to 6 year olds learning English? I decided to change the subject.

Finally, a different class of mine (that I actually really like) asked me where my wedding ring was, and when I told them I wasn't married they insisted on asking me about the ring. Kids. Oh yeah, this was after one of the girls in my class told me, "teacher your hair is ugly" and imitated that I had pieces sticking out.

Nonetheless, at the end of the day I can't say I really had a bad day.

Gym Membership or Subway Station Stairs...

I really want to join a gym here. That was one of my goals before I even came, yet I don't feel like searching around for one. The girl I replaced showed me hers before she left, but it looked super packed, and I'm more of an empty gym kinda girl.  

However, the stairs to the subway kill me every day. It's not so bad going there in the morning, but on the way home... climbing the, wait... let me count... 4 flights of stairs? is torture. Ok, it's not that  bad, but it is a decent workout every day and it makes me not feel as bad about being a slacker about finding a gym right away. Plus, I walk to and home from the subway which takes a good 5-10 minutes. I'm good.

 My cold is almost gone. Thank goodness that didn't long.

Itaewon tomorrow for dinner. It will be my first time in Itaewon, and I'm excited to go eat some Western food. If I have time I'll post about it, otherwise I'm sure I'll have lots to write over the weekend.

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard