♦ it was a crazy work week. “circus day,” as i like to call it, is next monday. apparently, every high school is sending an english teacher to observe our open classes (mine included). middle school english teachers are invited, too. we’re expecting around 60 visitors. it’s a big deal, and the entire english department was busy preparing for the day. side note: no one is actually enjoying putting on this dog and pony show—we’re all following orders from above.

next tuesday~wednesday is the school festival. it’s going to be fun, i think. i believe shaun, another native english teacher, is participating in the pop song contest (i sang in it last year). all the school clubs will operate their own concession stands or booths in order to raise funds. i try to participate a lot to show my support for the kids.

next tuesday~wednesday are the second to last classes for the gifted classes. it’s an open class (parents will be in attendance), and the kids are presenting their final projects. i’m eager to see their presentations, but i’m more excited that this year’s gifted classes are coming to an end.

i have pretty much mentally checked out of this school year. just going through the motions now. this year needs to end already!

♦ on saturday the significant other and i are taking prairie (and her husband joe) out to dinner. it was her birthday this past tuesday, so it’s my gift to her. we are having samgyetang. the american chinese restaurants serve a dish called “treasure chicken” but the name fits samgyetang better, in my opinion. it’s basically a whole spring chicken that’s stuffed with glutinous rice and boiled in a broth of ginseng, jujubes, garlic, etc. it’s delicious (and healthy). can’t wait.

♦ on sunday, ms. park (my deskmate as well as prairie’s co-teacher) is taking the four of us (three native english teachers plus joe, prairie’s husband) to haeinsa, one of the three jewel temples of korea, and also the home of the tripitaka koreana. since she can’t fit all of us in her car, she asked a friend, ms. jung, to join us. i know ms. jung. she was in my teachers’ class 3 years ago when i was still teaching at dukwon middle school. i like her a lot. it’s supposed to be a beautiful day, so i’m looking forward to the hike.

♦ i just saw this video on youtube and it broke my heart.

last week, my high school english teacher (and academic decathlon coach) asked me to help one of her current students. he’s depressed and borderline suicidal and his parents aren’t really helping him. she thought me reaching out to him might help with his situation.

consequently, i’ve been revisiting memories of my high school days, and i must say that i lucked out with my friends, who supported me no matter what. i enjoyed high school for the most part, because of them. good friends are so important.

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