At Long Last!

Well Family, It's been a while. I won't offer any apologies, because there are none to be had. These last few weeks have applied more pressure than any I've yet experienced since coming to Korea. This has been mostly due to the Korean classes I've been taking. They really wouldn't be too bad, if they weren't being taken on top of a full time job. But as it is, I don't feel like I have enough brain space to do all I need to. We took one half of the final exam today. The listening/writing half. On Monday it'll be reading, grammar, & speaking. I'm at the point, though it took me a while to get here, where it doesn't really matter any more whether or not I pass. I've given it my level best, and that's all I can do. Whether or not I get a passing grade, I don't think I'm going to take the next level at Ewha. Adam and I are talking about splitting the cost for a private tutor next semester, instead. Language learning will be a little more relaxed that way. We'll be able to go at a slower pace, and study at more convenient times.

Work still goes well. Right now the kindergarten is practicing for a Christmas play. That's around thirty 4-6 year olds, who don't speak my language. It was really chaotic at first, but it's beginning to fall into place. It's super simple, so we should be able to pull it off. I say 'we'. Really, Adam and Teresa have borne most of the responsibility for that. I'm not quite sure how that happened, but I'm glad not to have that to add to my already full head.
Today we practiced 'on stage'. As I wasn't needed with the kids, Adam asked me to go up to the sound room to let the sound-board man, Mr. S, know what songs we'd be playing, when to play them, and at what point to turn the volume down. Well, that was interesting.
I went up and took a seat next to Mr. S behind the controls. It didn't take long to ascertain that he spoke no English. I knew enough Korean to specify which track to play, and when, but didn't know how to tell him about the volume. So I gestured eloquently, communicating that I wanted to be shown where the volume control was. He shook his head, and made me to understand that he was the sound man. Very well. I shrugged and leaned forward to watch out of the little window.
At the appropriate moment Adam signaled for me to play track five. I turned to Mr. S, "O baun."
He shook his head.
I held up five fingers and repeated myself.
Another man came up. Speaking in broken English, he told me that they didn't have the CD yet. Well, there was nothing I could do about that.
I looked out the little window, and saw everyone posed and waiting. Adam looked up at the speakers. There was no way for me to communicate to him what I knew, so I just sat there, posed and waiting like everyone else. Finally Teresa realized that it wasn't going to happen, so they went on with another part of the play.
A minute later Bok Teacher ran up stairs with the CD we needed. Again Adam looked up and gave the go signal.
Again I clearly directed, "O baun."
Again Mr. S. shook his head. He wanted to play track one.
I turned to Ms. Bok, "O baun keulaumyaun sah baun." I wasn't quite certain about that clumsy conjunction, but she seemed to understand that I wanted track five first, and then track four.
"But then what?" She asked.
"Nothing." I was puzzled, "Just five and then four."
"Not another one?"
I shook my head.
"OK. Five, then four, then five again."
"No!" I crossed my arms to make an X. "Just five and then four. Then stop."
She communicated this to Mr. S., and he began to play track five.
I looked down out of the little window, watching the children sing. When the first verse ended, I turned and made the X again. "Stop now." I said in English, "Song no."
Too complex.
"Song stop!"
Still no go, so I pointed out the window. The kids were being to fuss, and all of the English and Korean teachers were waving at us to turn the music off.
"Ah!" He comprehended wisely, "Cut!"
Very well. Cut.

Some how I feel like my emails are becoming a bit disjointed. Almost as if I write about all these trivialities, while skipping over more consequential events. Many things that add to the continuity and progression of my days are, I'm sure, worthy of note. But, until I can find the time to do them justice, they shall have to remain untouched. Meanwhile, my family, thank you for listening to my random thoughts. Have a lovely day…

me