Got Talent

And the day after athletics cuteness, we got a second dose in the form of art. For the first time, the school combined the English festival with the arts festival. I was, of course, excited about that because I could understand everything that was going on. The festival ran for 2 days, with the odd number grades performing on day 1. So here they are- The Future. 

I have no idea when the kids got time to practice all these skits in between their classes and their academy hours, but again, I was so proud of them. If anything, it felt like the show was just for me since most of the parents could barely understand the English songs and speeches. I was just as excited as they were- standing in front, camera and smile always ready.

The winners of the English speaking contest got their minutes of storytelling fame, while others charmed their folks with dance and song. The show stoppers were obviously the grade 1s who ended the day's festivities with their English songs. As seen in the pic above, grade 1s' parents are the most passionate people there are,  basically fighting to get the best spot for a good view of their little ones. Two consecutive days off work? The joys of being a housewife!

The other highlight was seeing how involved the kids were in putting the actual event together, working as MCs, sound guys and camera men. They start early.

Adorable, neh?

Signed,

Angelina Jolie soon-to-be

Make Like The Wind

Warm those muscles up and get that heart pumping. Are. You. RED-DAY??!

Aaaaalright!

On your marks.

Get set.

GOOOoooo! 

And the kid in me came back to life!

A cold Wednesday morning at Chilsung Elementary School, all 1500 students, their parents and teachers geared up for remake of the IAAF Championships that took place in the same city just a few months ago. Korean versions of Bolt, and Speedy Gonzales' alike would get their chance to show off what they're made of outside their 24hour academic life. 

It brought me such joy seeing the students being real kids for a change, and seeing their parents enjoying the sight too. 

The day was jam packed with enough activities to engage all the kids and their parents.It was also so refreshing to see parents literally active in their kids' extra murals. The place was packed with them! Some even having booked a spot to sit on, the evening before the event. Some came in their suits, while others were all Nike'd up to participate in the parents' races and games. Of course, they could have never stolen the shine of the precious ones they were there to support.

Some pics of the day (oh, the horror of choosing a few out of 219!):

Premature photo bombing!

This was definitely one of my highlights of this year and for the first time, I considered how sad I will be saying goodbye to the 6th graders when they graduate at the beginning of next year. Sigh. 

Til then, I will keep flexing their English muscles til they can run that race with as much joy and confidence as they did this day's. 

(Wow! I'm on a roll with the cheesy conclusions this week. Ha!)

Annyong!