Bittersweet

Funny things happen. The other day a bee flew into me on my bike to plant a stinging kiss on my sweet lips. I don't know why bees like my face so much. I've had a nose sting, several neck stings and now we're moving a little more intimate. I don't appreciate being stung on the move...its pretty hazardous to be stung riding through the city on a bike. But escaped with only a fat lip to tell the story.

It can be said that laryngitis is a difficult thing to teach with. So Ill say it. But not out loud. These evenings are my time of rest. I try to spend the whole night in silence to rest my ailing larynx. Today it got so bad I went on my first trip to the doctors office in Korea. I've been feeling not so good for the past 4 or 5 days. But the loss of speaking power has been gone for about two. Today was ridiculous. Hopefully the medication will work fast so I can speak. I'm not quite down to a whisper but I feel that coming late in the day after so much talking. Who would of thought I would get a job where I have to speak so much. At least I have kids... who make it alright. Today one of my morning girls made it alright by explaining a night club to me. (Its one of our vocab words) She told me that's where you go on a date. I asked what else happens there and pointed at the picture on the flashcard(the people were dancing). She says "Jump rope!"

I only wish, we could jump rope at night clubs. There's a good entreprenurial idea for anyone who wants to run with it.

Went to a conference this weekend hosted by Mikail Gorbachev and Kim Dae Jung. A bunch of Nobel Peace Laureates came out to Gwangju to the conference center I used to live right beside. They talked about the nuclear problem on the peninsula and how to move towards reunification. It was refreshing to be in the mist of conversations of the sort. It also happened that I made my first appearance on Korean TV through that event. I knew they were filming but I wasn't sure I had made the cut until a bunch of my kids said they saw me on the news Monday. They had some fun emulating the stare I apparently held. I regret to report that I failed to take my camera with me so I didn't get any pictures during the conference.

An impressive show by the Korean National team against France on Sunday. It was 4 am here, when everyone woke up for the party...if they went to sleep. I decided to wake up 5 to see the last half and was glad to catch the tieing goal. We are in position. We just need to beat Switzerland. Ill probably be headed to the Gwangju World Cup Stadium on Saturday morning to see the game, another 4 am game. I've heard its been packed the last two games.

I have included here a picture of my bike to bring you closer to my Korean experience. (We share a lot of time together) I've told some of you Im searching for a name...(you should always name your bike) So I'm open to receiving any recommendations. Also here is a picture of a routinely visited site. Soccer courts, where I work on my skills for my World Cup debut. It has been my source of exercise and meditation in a country a little too cramped for free/thoughtless runs. And I think I can say I have improved enough to now compete with the 3 year olds who used to school me in Cairo.

I'm enjoying the world cup, Im about to get into the busy week or two of school, followed by Parent conferences in another week. So some new experiences there, but it should be fun. Peace.