Lovin Life in Korea

So I am now finishing up my second week of Judo class which I'm taking 4 days a week; Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. from 5:20 - 6:30pm. On Wednesday I give myself a break and go for acupuncture (basically I get to lie down on a heated table for 1 hour) while cute lil Asian woman attends to me, puts a warm heating pad on my legs for 20 minutes, then the doctor comes over and sticks approx 12 needles in me for 25 minutes. I usually get to enjoy nice 20 minutes of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. Then I head to the MCC (Miryang Culture Club) meeting from 6 - 7:30pm. This schedule it's really awesome as gives me a nice, structured routine to follow each week. Today I got my brand new Judo uniform!!! It look so friggin cool!!!! It's a dark royal blue, with yellow Korean letters on front and my name "DARREN" in yellow on the back, with a nice, brand new white belt. It looks bad ass!!! Can't wait to take pictures of me and post them!!

Wednesday's & Thursday's are definitely my two biggest days of teaching at my school. I teach 4 classes back-to-back both days (6th grade on Wed & 5th grade on Thurs.) Then on Thursday's I have an additional 3pm English lesson followed by a 40 minutes class for the Korean teachers. A few Thursday's ago was even more intense b/c I added 1 extra 6th grade class that day!!! Seven classes in total that day. I was feeling good and ready for the challenge and excitement of giving my all for these classes. I can clearly remember the feeling coming out of the teacher's lounge after "Tea Time" 10:40-11:00am (which takes place after 2nd period everyday). I can clearly remember the feeling I had coming out of that room. It was as if I was Eric Mangini (head coach of the NY Jets) coming out of the locker room at halftime with my team (my co-teacher) walking behind me gearing up for the second half of the game (my day). I had 2 classes down with 5 more to go!!! It was a rather surreal, serene, exciting feeling of being alive, fulfilled, and that of being totally present, in the moment. There is nothing quite like teaching Korean children English, especially little elementary children!!!! Totally, precious, sweet, innocent, and SO SO EXCITED to see me and learn English each day. I was telling Flo how exciting it is for me to see my 4th grade students (def my most favorite grade by far!) b/c EVERY SINGLE one of them is 100% engaged, attentive, participating in the lesson from start to finish. It's amazing I tell you to scan the room & see all 30 mouths moving at once in unison (like the good lil robots that they are hehe)!!! That def does not happen in 3rd, 5th, and certainly not in 6th grade. In fact, I have copied a few emails from my one 4th grade student, named Mirae who has been emailing me; check this out and tell me how precious this is???
Below are 3 emails she has sent me:

hi!!

yes, i love english class
nise to meet yoo to.
gilr friend good!!
do yo like banana?
see yoo naxt time..

-mirae-

thank you for your kindness.

I like banana.

Did you have a good night's sleep?

darren teacher speak english well and be good-looking.

good bye~

hi!

i'm mirae.
english class happy

engilsh sing very good.!

expecting a responos to this letter

see yoo next time..

have a nice day..

-mirae-

Simply adorable huh???