TEACHER WHY?!

This is what the children say when they are confused. Most of the time why actually means what, but try telling that to the children. No, seriously. Try for me. It doesn't work! TEACHER WHY?! Because I said so Peter. No, WHY?!

This is a universal thing the children in SoKo say. My fellow ESL teachers have come to infer the many meanings of TEACHER WHY?! and I'm sure I will too.

SoKo is...a different culture. I've been through a bit of Europe (continental and otherwise) and so I can appreciate differences in culture. But when my employer urges me to take my shoes off in my own apartment, I know something is truly different. And when you hear things like "YOU HAVE BIG NOSE! PINOCCHIO!" and you respond "uhh...good or bad?" and they respond "VERY GOOD! VERY GOOD!" you know you're in a truly different sort of place. Everyone is fantastically nice. They love us white waygooken (the word of the day means "foreigner". Waygook is a more derogatory word for it, so if you hear "waygook" then someone is trying to mess with you). Pictures soon. I haven't figured out how to get to them just yet, but I will do that tomorrow.

the first post is the most boring

but i have to start somewhere! so...i made it to my place in Onyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan City, SoKo at 5 am after traveling for over 24 hours in planes and bus. it was harrowing for me and for my dog Issa, but that's not important anymore! everyone is fantastic, everything is fantastic.

Wurd: Anyong-haseo. it's the honorific "hello", which is what you would say to someone you are on formal terms with. children tend just to say anyong to each other, i.e. arrested development.

BOOM! first post defeated!