Anzac Day

Hi Everyone
I hope everyone is having a nice day off work and school. Its a bit different for us this year. Dions just finished teaching his 3 classes at Gyerong High and is back with me at Yongnam High.
This morning I was summoned to see the Principal. Somehow that made me feel like a third former again in big trouble. Luckily he was in a good mood and asked me about Anzac Day. I was kicking myself for not paying enough attention in history class but I managed to stumble my way through a brief explanation. He then asked me to write a page about Anzac day for him to read to some parents in a meeting. At least I think thats what he said. Of course I had to say yes and then freaked out because Dion had the computer at the other school. I got back to the english office and a teacher kindly offered me his computer. I got some info off the net and re wrote it and gave it to the Principal all under 40 minutes. This is the sort of thing we are being faced with, its spur of the moment and its challenging but if you get through it you feel like you ve achieved something huge.
From Melisa

Hey Everyone,

It's Dion here. Wow, you wouldn't know it was Anzac Day here. In fact we've been here a week and because you are always adjusting to a new culture you don't worry about days...as long as you get to class on time and present a lesson to the kids. The English level of a lot of the 1st and 2nd grade High School kids I am teaching is very low and it is very difficult for them to understand sometimes. I have to speak slowly and clearly but if that isn't bad enough they might get a bit confused by my Kiwi accent. They are used to American English and even the teachers can't understand the New Zealand pronunciation well. I am enjoying the challenge of being in a foreign culture. Truly, Melisa and I are like aliens (that's the best word to describe us). People are very friendly and want to help but it will take a while to adjust to the communication barrier. It is difficult asking for things in shops or ordering something to eat when you can't say much more than hello and thank you and point to a phrase in a book. The food is very different but nutritious and healthy--hot and spicy sometimes too. We have been to a couple of traditional meals where you sit on the floor at a low table. Wow...after sitting cross legged for about half an hour I found it difficult walking when I stood up. The other thing I have been practicing is using chopsticks. It takes quite a lot of dexterity. Maybe it's in the way you hold your tongue. Anyway, that's some of the adjustments we've been making. It's stressful but often fun to be learning new things. Today, a teacher was talking to me about the expression, "When in Rome do as the Romans do". She said it's best to think of Korea in the same way SO "When in Korea, do as the Koreans do", except when I'm in the apartment and talking fluent English with Melisa. Love you all back home and I've been missing you. I think when people say 'please pray for us' they mean 'we are in a strange place and don't always know what the heck is going on' so please pray for us.

See you ... I'll write again sooon.