Faculty Dinner

Last night I went out to dinner with my co-teachers and all the faculty of Suwan MS. There were about 35 of us all together. We went after our staff meeting where I didn't understand anything. But I was able to successfully say, in Korean, "Hello, my name is Margaret. Nice to meet you. Thank you." I think they liked it. :) Here is a picture of Mihey and I.

We carpooled to the restaurant, which was about a 10 minute drive. Our car got there a little late, and when we arrived, everyone was already seated. There were 3 long tables, and I was at the middle table. The restaurant was really nice. We sat on the floor and I was pretty close to the principal and vice principal. We had duck for dinner. The meat was cooking right in front of us, and we used some seasonings and vegetables to spice it up. We then wrapped it all together in a lettuce leaf. I didn't realize there was more than one course, so I ate a lot. Then, when the second course came, I wished I didn't eat so much. We then had soup and rice which was pretty good.

While we were eating, the principal was going around handing out shots of beer and soju. The proper way to do it is accept the drink with both hands, and turn away from the person who gave it to you and drink it. There was definitely a lot of drinking going on, but not so much at my area of the table.

One thing the Koreans love to do is sing. We had a teacher give an opening toast, which I didn't understand, but everyone started laughing, so I asked what was going on. I was told that the other new science teacher and I were going to be the nights entertainment. We each had to get up in front of EVERYONE in the restaurant and sing a song. I was like, "No way!"

The new science teacher, who is maybe a few years older than me, got up and sang a Korean pop song. Everyone started clapping along to the beat and singing along. Meanwhile, I'm having a heart attack from the nerves. First of all, I don't know many songs, much less any Korean songs! And the songs that I do know would have been inappropriate to sing. Plus, I'm bad at singing without music because I forget the words.

When he was done, I litterally got lifted off the floor by the person who had given the toast. He handed me the empty bottle of Soju that was mimicking a microphone and then I was standing in front of 35 people I barely know. I explained that I couldn't think of a song. Someone shouted out, "Sing the ABC's!!" Well, I know how that song goes. So I start singing the ABC's. No kidding. I was mortified. So embarrassing! Everyone was clapping along to the beat, and after I finished I got applauded of course. I think I was probably still red in the cheeks for a good 20 minutes afterwards!!

A few more people sang and as the teachers drank more, the worse the singing got. It was actually hillarious. Everyone had a really good time. Needless to say, I did not get up to sing another song!!

To see more pictures from dinner, check out my facebook album:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?page=3&aid=2202874&id=59501140