First Day of School

Monday, my first day, I was greeted before I even stepped onto the schoolyard. Students were outside campaigning for their friends for the equivalent of our student government. They take it seriously-it looked like a huge picket line and most of them handed me a small, glossy business card with the candidate's picture on it. After someone lead me to the subject teacher's room I found my desk in line with 3 teachers and facing 4 other teachers. My co-teacher told me that the principal wanted to speak with me right away. I asked if I should bring anything and he said no. At first the principal scared me. I had no idea what he was saying and PK was doing all the talking for me. He was making some notes and barely looking at me. Crap! I really wanted to be on good terms with him because he ultimately decides when I take my vacation days, my overtime pay, etc. While I was trying to smile him to death, PK says that he will introduce me to the school. Hmmm, I was thinking there might be an assembly or something like that. I prepared a couple of goodwill notes in my notebook the night before so I didn't think it would be a problem. Then PK said, "Ready?" and leads me to do a telecast(video included) to the whole school but don't worry "he will translate". I cursed myself for leaving my notebook at my desk while we walked to the PA system room. Ended up being fine but the camera definitely adds 10 pounds. Shortly after that I was off to a meeting at the District Office. When I arrived I saw some fellow teachers from orientation. We did a tour of the building and then we were lead to a very formal conference room with our names in place glasses. Think congressional hearing. Then the District Mayor, Council Chair and Director of Education walked in. We were handed business cards and shown an innovation plan for the next two years. After that out to lunch at a really nice (and expensive) restaurant. I don't think any of us expected that kind of lunch. PK picked me up and then back to school. I had to use the restroom desperately when I got back and found myself above a ground toilet. Squatting was not very conducive with the business attire that I was wearing but I didn't really have a choice. At the end of the school day there was a teacher's meeting. Once again, I had to get up and make a speech in front of all the teachers. The principal seemed more relaxed this time. He said Korean blah, blah and then "botiful, yu r butiful" and everyone laughed. A little embarrassing but eased some nervousness. After school there was a New Teacher's Welcome Dinner. Such a glorious display of food with beer and soju(Korea's famous alcohol drink). I sat with all the other subject teachers and throughout the meal teachers, vice principals and the principal came up to welcome me. Really nice and definitely made me more at ease. I learned how to say "Drink up" in Korean and PK told me that in Korea, if you drink a lot, it's considered a good thing! I played it safe and only had a little beer and a shot of soju that one of the head teachers coaxed me into taking. After a couple of tipsy speeches by the principal and some teachers we left and PK dropped me off. After such an eventful first day, I was ready for my bedchen.