125) Coming to a Close (part 1)

This is my last week of teaching. For the most part I happy to be finishing up- don’t get me wrong, I will miss some of the kids for sure. Having said that, there are some kids I will be glad to not have to see anymore.













The kids in these pics were certainly some of my favorites, and they will be missed very much. These little guys were usually one of the highlights of my week- so much energy and beauty in them!

124) Natural Light

(This girl is about as cute as they come, and she repeats everything I say!!!)

Two of the classrooms in this building get just beautiful natural light coming in through the windows. There are several beautiful Ginko trees that are golden yellow, and filter the light to produce shots like these! I have been meaning to get some shots with that light for a while.

(^ Another really cute girl, and she always has a great attitude)

(^ This boy is very smart, and always tries to make conversation with me- amazing considering he is 2!)

(^ Great boy)

123) Living on the Moon

Two times a week I teach a boy named Brad. He is 10 or 11, and very smart. Our classes are one on one, so we do a lot of talking and playing, and I have gotten to know him well. He is certainly one of my favorite students. As part of the class I give him a themed diary to write. He usually makes me laugh with what he writes, but this was one that I really loved.




The theme was “If you had to live on another planet for one year, which planet would it be?” (and other things like why, and so on). This is what he wrote:
“I would live on the Moon. Because, there are a space station. So, we can sleep, eat food in the space station. And, the Moon is near with the earth. So, I can see the Earth anytime when I want to see it. I would bring a computer to the Moon. Because, I can play games watch a TV, and listen to the musics with computer. Also, I can buy anythings that I want by the Internet shopping mall. I would go to the Moon with my mother. Because she can make something to eat, and wash my clothes, and play with me when I’m boring.”




The pictures are very unrelated to the story. These are the youngest kids I teach (I mentioned before some of them are under two!). The ones that are all dressed up and have on make-up were getting ready for their big performance. Later that day they put on their play for their parents.

(^ This girl is so sweet!)

122) Under the Canopy of Colors (pt. 2)

It is funny how memories can be just moments and snapshots of the past. My mind is filled with these snap shots of my life, just these vivid moments in time. I remember when I was a young boy, hiking during Fall, with my parents through a large meadow of high and dry grass. When you are a boy looking at just the details, a large meadow can be a whole different world. I remember looking for the perfect milkweed pods to give to my mom.






I used to be fascinated with the thoughts of Native Americans. I was never quite able to get over the idea that I may have been walking on the same exact spot some ancient warrior hunted in.






I would fantasize about being able to time travel back to a time when the Americas were ruled by its native peoples. I dreamed about what the land must have looked like, and how they lived, and longed for that. But I always had reservations about the food, that was my one issue… could I eat some of that food? Sure I loved corn, but some weird animal part? Funny the things you think about as a kid!

121) Under the Canopy of Colors (pt. 1)

I went back to Seonyudo Park on Saturday. This time I got up a little bit early for it, and had no time restrictions. It was really nice to be there earlier than usual. Not too many people there, and Korean mornings always seem to be very peaceful and calm.





Anyways, I was really able to just take my time, and enjoy the morning and the colors, and the smells. I love that Fall smell of damp and decaying leaves. You can somehow almost smell the colors and the little bit of a chill in the air.




The smells brought me back to lost childhood memories of playing in piles of leaves in the front yard, or hiking with my parents. I remember always wearing camouflage when we went hiking, and running ahead and hiding. I loved laying in the woods or a field and just waiting and seeing and smelling.



One spot at Seonydo has 5 or 6 maple trees that were all brilliant colors of red, yellow and orange, and created a full, thick canopy. I spent quite a bit of time there, under the canopy waiting for the sun to light up the leaves. When the sun hit those top layers of leaves they created a filter that made everything a more intense orange and red. The affect was truly beautiful! The first picture illustrates a little bit what that was like.