Finally! The semester is over.

This blog is a little late given that the events soon to be described happened last Thursday, but better late than never.

For this past semester, Thursdays have always been long tedious, affairs. My day started at 6:50 am and ended 6 classes later around 4 pm. Last Thursday was an exception simply because it was the last day of the semester. My early morning institute classes had ended the previous Tuesday, and my classes were simply party and game events to celebrate the end of the semester. The students for my last class of the day had decided earlier in the week to head to Gung-dong for dinner rather than meet in class, which, of course, was perfectly fine with me.

Normally with these things, especially with the freshman students, you don't get a very big turnout because it's getting on to the final exam period, and the kids have to study. So I was fairly surprised when a good 15 students showed up at the designated meeting place. Once everyone was gathered, we headed down to Sum-gyup-sal Street (my made up street name because there are something lke 20 sum-gyup-sal restaurants in a one block street) and found a place that could accomodate us all. Thus, the party began.

I've been out with students many times in my tenure at CNU, and sometimes you get a group of students that are simply no fun. They don't talk or drink, and you sit there looking at your watch wondering when you can escape. Thursday's group enthusiastically embraced the party concept. Most of these students have relatively limited English skills, but once the soju began to flow, they all loosened up, and the game was on.

After dinner, we headed down the street to a beer/soju hof for the "Second Stage". There we engaged in several drinking games; my faovorite of which is called "Titanic". The "Titanic" game consists of floating a shot glass in a half full glass of beer and then taking turns pouring soju into the shot glass. The person who sinks the shot glass has to chug the drink. It takes a steady hand which, of course, is more difficult once you've had a bit to drink. Needless to say, I NEVER lose in this game, hee hee.

All in all, it was a fun night. After the hof, the students headed back to their various homes or to the library to "study". Ian and I headed to Santa's to continue the party. Ian, who had had a very rough week (he was informed that he wasn't getting his contract at the university renewed even though the administration could not provide sufficient cause. Can you say "Labor Board"?), decided to head home early. I stayed on with a few other folks and spent the night drinking and playing Killer Pool (even won twice). It was a nice way to start my vacation.

Michelle and "Genius"

The "Hye-ran Progression": Wooo Hoooo!!!

Oh my...

ZZZZzzzzz...

Hey! Don't point that thing at me!

"Pumpiy" and "Sol"

Havin' fun!

The whole thing was a good laugh!