Janggok High Sports Day, 2010

Thursday was school sports day at Janggok, which means that all classes are canceled. WOO HOO!! Love when that happens! While the 1st and 2nd graders gathered on the dusty dirt field to battle in a variety of athletic activities, the 3rd graders piled into buses on their way to a popular amusement park for the day.

I arrived and sat outside the building with Kate since it was her job to regulate the students going in and out of the school and I didn't like to see her alone. We were soon joined by two of my co-teachers, Hong Sik and Yeon Min, and they both seemed in great moods. I was especially happy to see Yeon Min smiling so much and laughing out loud since he usually has a very stoic demeanor. They both wanted to sit with me so Kate left me to them. The three of us talked about the differences between Korea and the USA in terms of sports days before Hong Sik told me he was desperately wanting some rice cakes, but they were up on the VIP stand where the principal and the vice principal were. All teachers fear the two bosses of the school and Hong Sik, though an older man, was no exception and refused to go on the hunt for the treats without another teacher with him. Yeon Min laughed at Hong Sik's reluctance to go alone and I immediately offered my services as escort. Hong Sik was very pleased and laughed at Yeon Min, who had also been reluctant to go and was now challenged by my offer.

So the three of us braved the VIP area in search of rice cakes and were able to avoid a prolonged conversation with the principal and vice principal since they were so absorbed in the sports events. After a few leisurely rice cakes and a cup of tea, Hong Sik and Yeon Min decided to take refuge in the coolness of the Teachers Lounge in the school while I went to hang out with the students in the stands.

All the classes were sitting in the stands watching their teammates and cheering loudly with banners and plastic horns. I wandered over to the 2nd grade side and took a few pictures. Some of the students wanted pictures with me. Then I made my way to the 1st grade side where I received a rock star welcome of screams and having my name called out over and over along with constant demands for pictures.

The 2nd grade classes by tradition choose their favorite soccer team and then order the official team jerseys with their own particular messages on the back. Since I can read Hangeul but cannot yet understand everything, I was very curious what each message meant. Some of the teachers helped me out and I found that many of the message said things like, "Handsome Boy" "I need a cute boyfriend" and others of that nature.

The 1st graders had to make up their own uniforms. One class had Batman t-shirts and capes while others had bright pink, blue, and yellow shirts with PJ bottoms. They also wore big bow ties or flowers in their hair. One class had little plastic shapes on springs that they wore on their heads. I wasn't sure what the yellow smiley things were until I asked the girls about it. They smiled and screamed out "Teacher, it's poo! See?!" and then they proceeded to act out the straining motion of producing said poo, complete with grunting and faces screwed up in determination. I laughed so hard I nearly cried. Koreans for some reason have a strange fascination with bodily functions. One of my favorite ways a Korean student will ask to go to the bathroom is, "Teacher, I make yellow water!! Yellow water!!"

I decided that the best thing I could do was head to my quiet, empty classroom to do some work while I had the spare time, which I sadly have in short supply these days. So I worked as much as I could amid the cheers and screams drifting in from the open windows in the halls, but eventually decided to go and sit with Kate outside.

We spent the rest of the time monitoring students together along with the art teacher who is a good friend of Kate's and whom I indirectly teach English. She listens very attentively to me during our lunchtimes or coffee runs and is able to pick up words and phrases I use constantly. So far her favorite is "I'll kill you!"

When the sports day was finished and the winners announced, every student and teacher made a mad dash to leave school as soon as possible. The students, being let out so many hours early, headed for the noraebong (singing rooms) and coffee shops, while the teachers all gathered together with the principal at a restaurant in the next town for dinner and drinks. It is common for such a large gathering to occur a few times during the semester and it's always interesting. I sat in a corner with Kate and a few other co-teachers eating octopus stew and Bo-sam (cold, roasted pork) while teachers around us broke open bottles of soju and beer. I envied them a lot. I like having someone to drink with but most of the Koreans I'm friends with don't drink. Suddenly, my co teacher Jong Kil came over red-faced with a glass and a bottle of beer.

"Christine! It's cheers time!"

"Yes, sir!"

The tradition is that they offer you the glass and pour for you. You have to drink it rather quickly and then pass them the same glass and you pour for them, and they drink. This can go on for several rounds. After a few drinks and funny conversation, Jong Kil went to another table to drink with another of his friends. Kate urged me to approach the principal's table and offer him and the vice principal some soju because it would make me look very good in their eyes. I was extremely hesitant to do so, but after a few shots of liquid courage I decided it would be good for my image.

I took an unopened bottle of soju and headed for the main table and offered to pour for the principal. He was extremely happy to see me make the offer and insisted I sit at his table. I poured him a shot and then he poured me a shot. Suddenly, the red-faced vice principal slammed down beside me grinning, tie askew, and I offered him some soju. We all sat taking rounds and talking about the students. Another co teacher of mine, Sang Soon, translated for me and the two school heads. I complimented each one on their handsomeness and then turned to the third in command of the school, the female supervisor, and insisted on her beauty and her sparkling eyes, which was no lie. Kate soon joined us and she led me away to another table full of teachers who were beckoning us to join them as well. I had good conversation with several of the social studies, history and P.E. teachers before a few of them left. I was really happy to see the music teacher among them. Since her classroom and mine are right next to each other we have started talking and hanging out when we have a spare moment. She has even started teaching me piano once a week and is surprised at the speed at which I learn. Me too actually...

The three leaders of the school left soon afterward and we all stood and bowed, though some had incredible trouble standing. HA! All the remaining teachers gathered at the head table where beer and soju flowed like a rain-fattened river. We cheered, took pictures, laughed and tried our best to communicate with each other. It was a wonderful time...The teachers at this school are so very welcoming and determined that no one should feel left out. There is an intense feeling of camaraderie among everyone and it's refreshing to feel a part of something so warm and friendly. In Korea, alcohol is seen as a necessary part of getting to know people since it's a great social lubricant, and I love these excursions outside of work where we can let loose a little and get to know each other better.

As dusk was threatening to take over the sky, we decided it was time to go. Though my main concern was finding a bathroom, I didn't really want to leave yet since I was having such a great time. Many of the teachers went off to another place for "round two" while others went home. Because I was riding with Kate I had to go home as well.

It was a great day. I got to hang out with the students, take pictures, have a few drinks with great people, and feel happy about my life.