26/26

6 months completed! The countdown to coming home begins! It's April... and that is MY photo of three kids at Watoto on the 2008 Kids Aid Tanzania Calendar.

I celebrated on Saturday night, in the appropriate company of a Korean Kollective, who I have only just met. It was the second time of attending the JS-Echo English Study Group. I should become a member after my fourth visit. The 'Toastmaster' was one of the main group organisers, Kim min-jin. Amongst other things, we discussed International Marriages and Medical Ethics. We also had a presentation on Irish musical drama, 'Once' and a test on phrasal verbs. Last week someone sang a song beautifully. So there is some education, some entertainment and some drinks after..

Last night, we had a meal at a restaurant across from Woyoung Building, where the group meet at Saturdays, kick off is 3pm. Later, drinks at two places... during which i agreed to produce an original film starring two of them.. one of whom is a previous Jungchul student. Later still, myself, Gilly and Mi-so looked over Yonji Lake, sipping nightcaps and planning a mountain climb.

I didn't see or speak to a single foreigner. It was great!


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At the hakwon, Seong-mi completed her last day on Friday and several of us went for midday lunch, where Na-young and Su-jin also joined us - a kind of late birthday, departing employees, early wedding get together. Took a cool photo at the traditional-style, but small, House of Changwon. Although I will miss Seong-mi at work, I will be able to keep in touch via Skype. We will all be at Na-young's Sunday wedding in two weeks, as well. SKYPE's a blessing, isn't it?

So, some more new staff and revisions to the timetable and to the classrooms. One panic attack this week, but at least I didn't lose it in front of the students.

I am currently directing a stage version of Little Red Riding Hood for a Junior 1/6 Level Ceremomy in a weeks time. Don't I just love it! A stage, kids, direction... I love it. It is so me, as opposed to 'me-so'! I will film it with full permission and make a proper film. It may be too long for YouTube but I could always post it via Skype, of course.

Anyway, Mi-so has told me about a traditional Korean song by Cho Yong-pil, the Cliff Richard, of Korean pop. It is called 'A Leopard of Kilimanjaro' - so finally a connection between the two has been made, not that I was looking.. and so that is what I am listening to as I am writing this blog.

Will sign off with a new poem, the alliterative KKK.


KKK


It kicks off at three, Saturday.
Aniyo kainotophobia. Kinematics on view.
A collective cackling at someone's kleptomania.
A song about Kilimanjaro.
A revised poem by Kipling.
A V in sign communication.
Kimchi for the camera, smile.
Could this Korean experience give credence?
Is is credible to think this can last.
The feeling of Karezza.
Can I dream? I can, can't I? Careful, though.
Must keep calm in the classroom.
Can my career be any clearer? My kismet.
Could it be karma?



Phil. K K K