Don't worry it's over their heads

I cannot believe how absolutely wonderful my kids were today! We went on a field trip to the Gwang-Ju Folk Museum (art museum/park etc…) we spent almost two hours looking at “over-their-head-thankfully-because-content-is-technically-too-mature” art as well as a kids gallery before having a picnic lunch, playing and packing-up to go back to the school.

Can I reiterate how proud I was of my kids for staying with their buddies, not getting separated from the group, not talking loudly, running and general bad behavior? They were even telling other teachers to be quiet! (Which the Korean-Teachers thought was adorable!) We even “discussed” some of the art with them: which do you like, what colors are used; how do you think that person is feeling and in whispered voices we got all kinds of responses (we = Korean-teachers and I).

Then came the picnic lunch; which the sun came out for just as we headed to eat and disappeared again as we got back on the buses, but back to the lunches. It was a fascinating look into the culture by how they “brown bag it.” In America one would usually find a sandwich, chips, juice box, probably a fruit/veggie of some sort and maybe cookie/dessert; In Korea the kids had kim-bop (sushi-like rolls of rice and various meat/seafood combos) a fruit or veggie and an assortment of different kinds of drinks. But it was food that required utensils and came in Tupperware. Many kids where sent with stuff for the teachers to have and share. As I found it so fascinating- I wondered if they would find what we do in that situation just as fascinating?

After the picnic it was run around and play a little time. I tried to teach the kids tag, but it turned into try to dong chin and then run away or just chase around till you catch one and can tickle them. Brooke and Chris’s class even joined in the “big neon-green thing” chase. It was madness and totally fun. Until, (always and until) I tripped and started to fall on a child so I twisted around-twisting my knee in the process (OUCH!) and hitting my head on a tree. I think I may have blacked out for a moment because I felt the swarm of kids, but the next thing I know I have two kids on each arm/shoulders, four on torso and at least three on each leg attempting to use me as a human moon bounce. Five, Six and Seven year old first years dong-chining every available (or not available) orifice they could poke and prod. It was ridiculous, fun, exhausting and exhilarating. By the time we were got back on the buses my knee was swelling, the kids wanted to sleep and I am looking forward to another field trip as a welcomed distraction from the everyday classroom.

Side note: I have been wanting to go to the Gwang-Ju folk museum due to some of what I read of it and cannot wait to be able to go back to really really see it. There was so much, not only the museum part, but the outdoor sculpture area and general park area had some gorgeous pieces and foliage.