It starts early.

I'd like to say several things about this video:


1. This is cutest cover of this song I've ever seen.

2. The twin that starts on screen left has excellent rhythm, and I think he has a promising career in dance or drumming. The right twin looks like he could be the next Aaron Carter. (Alex, you will not want to click on that, as it is an example of Aaron singing/"dancing", and you won't like it. Everyone else, it probably won't affect you as severely as it would her.)

3. (This is the main point) I think this is a perfect example of the general Korean mentality. Whereas American children would be running around, spinning in circles, occasionally doing a non-committal horsey dance, these boys have studied Psy's music video and are working on perfecting HIS dance. As far as studying/perfecting goes, these boys have the potential to be prodigies. But turn off the visual for them, and I'd be very surprised if they (okay, maybe more the dancer/drummer than Aaron) would move at all. Now, on the flip side, tell an American child that he/she had to copy Psy's dance, and you'd get some that tried, but a lot of them would probably cry. Interesting to see how culture affects us, even this young, isn't it?

What are your opinions on this subject? I'd love to get a good discussion going.

The Long-Awaited Walnut Cookie Festival Videos

And now, I'm proud to present the videos of my and my friends' journey to the First Annual Cheonan City Walnut Cookie Festival.

I'm not sure how I felt about the kids doing this dance.  I was quite torn between disgust at their sexualization and their cuteness as energetic children.

I was entirely impressed with these middle schoolers who did taekwondo at the festival.

This is a much shorter shot of the taekwondo kids.

And THIS is the video of the moment.  The kids weren't the only belly dancers; there were some adults, too.  There had been a grandmother in the audience who kept dancing from her seat along with the kids, but, when the adults got on stage, she couldn't restrain herself anymore.  She broke past the MC, and climbed up on stage, joining in on their dace.

Vacation: The Reason for the Visit

What you may or may not have known about this trip is that it's been planned since Christmas, and it had little to nothing to do with my family.  See, while I was in an elevator with my mom, I got a message from my very dear friend Meret, telling me that she was engaged.  Unless you know Meret, this probably won't be a big deal to you, but, to those of us who were present through the growth of her and Casey's relationship, this was very exciting news.  It was so exciting that I started screaming in the elevator.  Those poor Korean women who were there with us had no idea how to handle it, and exited as quickly as they could.

Fast forward a couple of months, when I deliver my boss the good news, and ask to have my vacation over the weekend of Meret and Casey's wedding.  My boss looks at me, full of compassion and says, "I really want you to be able to go to the wedding.  I can tell it means a lot to you.  Can you ask your friend to move her wedding to August 11?  That would be better."  Dumbfounded, I tell her no.  (Please note, my boss wasn't being snide here.  This is apparently a decently standard practice in Korea.)  Later, I jokingly tell Meret about the request, as I express my regret that I'll be unable to make it.  Meret's response, however, surprises me even more.  "Tell her 'sure'," she says.  "I haven't put any deposits down anyway."

I went back to my boss, ate me words, and the rest is history.

By the time all was said and done, I had become an honorary member of the wedding party, and played all the music for the ceremony itself.  It was quite a daunting task, and I ended up doing a lot of rearranging of music on the spot, as dictated by my nerves, but, from what I've been told, it all turned out well.  I was given the opportunity to present the bride and groom with my gift - a song I had written for them, detailing their relationship from my point of view, via violin.  Meret loved it so much, she asked me to play it as her wedding march.  I was and am still incredibly honored.

I am so, so glad that got to see these two wonderful people wed.  I am and will be praying for them, and I cannot wait to meet up again with them (hopefully) in another year.

Abba G-d, shine your mercy and love on these two beautiful people as they twine their lives together, becoming one, bound by You.  You have promised us that a cord of three is not easily broken, so let it be with them.  Keep their eyes fixed steadfastly on You, as they grow together in Love and Truth.  Bring them to a place of doubtless trust, honor, and faithfulness.  Teach them to love each other as You love; give them a love that never fails.  Help them celebrate their joy fully and endure the pain together, always growing stronger.  What You have brought together, let no man tear apart.  In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.  Amen.

My Christmas card to you, because I don't like not doing them.

May the joy of a child-like spirit fill your Christmas Season this year.

Handel's Messiah... part 2 (ish)

I saw this video today, and while, at first, I was tempted to be annoyed, I watched it all the way through and have decided that I find it very funny.  Enjoy:

Click the title of this post to see what I saw when I went to see this here in a Korea a couple weeks ago.

Can an Elephant Jump?

I'm 90% certain this is a fourth grade class.  For your viewing pleasure:

I'm not going to lie... it got hard to do that every morning for this past month... mornings + exercise + Anne = akdsjhgfakjdbgbeaprghasdjlkgadfjlkhgjkadbfljkgnaerkjhg.

<3

Who am I? - Sweet third graders being... sweet

Remember when you were little and didn't mind looking ridiculous (in fact, you actually kind of loved it)?  Here, let me jog your memory:

We played the "Who am I?" game to reinforce verb usage.

 Royster Teacher wasn't sneaky enough in her camera usage.

 The kids were preparing for an open house for their parents and wanted to show us their routines.

Yes, the girl in the back is a 3rd grader.  My only guess is that her birthday is in February or something.  (Everyone advances in age on the lunar new year, which is at the end of January.)

 <3

Happy After-School English Festival

Okay, I'll confess:  I'm really behind on my postings.  Rest assured, I intend to correct that, so be on the lookout.

This post is from a really cute English festival that I got to go to on the 17th.

This is a compilation of all the videos I took while there.

The "Carol" the boys were singing to

 This was a very informative news report on things to do in our city.  I got some tips for things to try!

A play of a Korean folktale.

Answering the trivia questions

Cute first graders singing "Lemon Tree."

 An adorable telling of the ugly duckling.  She did a great job!

A play of "The Ants and the Grasshopper"

My head teacher (Ms. 구) and me. :)

Cheonan World Dance Festival

So, this past weekend, my city played host to a really cool international dance festival.  People of all ages competed alongside a series of cultural booths.  It was truly a cool thing to experience, in spite of the cold and lack of personal space.  I'm told that if I have braved it out until after dark it got even cooler, but, as it was, I couldn't feel my hands by the time I got back home, so I think I was okay not staying out there that long.  Here are some pictures for you:

These first two pictures where the first group I saw dancing at the festival, and I'm glad for that.  They made me remember how rich the culture is here.

These two photos were of the Rainbow Dance Company.  They made me remember how much I love to dance, along with thoroughly impressing me.  Kids have so much energy!

These kids go to my friend Carolyn's school.

A ballet company we saw with some pretty cute girls in it.

Pottery wheel at one of the cultural booths

Hand-dyed fabric and shawls

These are not glass, they're sugar!  It was astounding!  (And, in the back, they were teaching kids how to do it!  I would have joined in, but there were so many people that I was too overwhelmed.)