My students had been planning for a week or so to have a big lunch with the whole class on Tuesday, the 23rd but it got bumped to the 22nd. The initial plans had been to go to a restaurant, but as the day crept closer Michelle offered her house for the party. The day couldn't have worked out better. My students cancelled class for the morning, since everyone wanted to prepare for the party, which gave a little while to sleep in. Mrs Noh picked me up from school after my other morning class and took me to Michelle's, close by but I didn't know where. The table was beautiful, the food was wonderful (a mixture of Korean and Western), and the company was delightful. I finally had the feeling that Christmas was coming, plus I got a whole bunch of presents from my students at the end of the meal, which I wasn't expecting at all. It was a perfect way to spend my break.
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Michelle's house full of exceptional Christmas decorations. A lot which she had painted, which was a surprise to us since she had never mentioned it. She made me a decoration as a Christmas gift. I think I will become a permanent fixture on my future Christmas trees.
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The table looked perfect when I walked in. The two flower arrangements/candle holders were made my Jennifer. The food is on the table at the back by the window. This is early on, before most of it arrived. The serving dishes were overflowing the table by the end.
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Here is most of the class. Left to right: Back: Mrs Noh, and Gloria [aka Mrs Kim, she changed to an English name when Mr Kim (no relation) joined us] Front: Jennifer, Molly, Me, Mr Kim.
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And the people we missed earlier. You can note the passage of time from the cleanliness of the table. Left to Right: Molly, Michelle, Me, Tom, Gloria, Mrs Noh.
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Here is an assortment of the presents I was given by my students. I was really caught off guard by them. A pleasant surprise. The clock and four snow globe decorations from Molly and Tom as well as a couple of stories. The tea, Chamomile, Peppermint and Lavender from Jennifer. Two pairs of Italian socks from Mrs Noh. Two decorative Christmas statues from Gloria. And the beautiful painted bear ornament in-between the two teas in the front, made by Michelle.
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This was the one of the funniest things I have ever seen. The blur was because I was laughing so hard. I'm surprised I even got the frame somewhere near right. I wasn't even looking. From nowhere Tom started telling us how his friend use to do a "trick." And he decided to show us. At this point, us consists of, 5, 25-40 year old women and me. You place a wooden chopstick against your upper, rear thighs right by your ass, and pull up with a belt and try to break it in half. Just seeing it was funny enough, but you have to of been living in Korean society for a bit I think to find this as funny as I did. Most people here are quite shy, especially without any Soju. Tom had tried two chopsticks at once first, but failed. He got a single moments later. They tried to get me to try but I declined. They said everyone else would go first, but for some reason that never happened. |
