The Allstars and The G CLUB

The Allstars. Oh the terrible threesome. The Allstars (a name given to them by one of my co-workers) is a group of three girls who have formed one of the tightest cliques at my academy. I have not had many major problems with them until today. Two weeks ago one of the Allstarts, named Potato (short for "crazy potato" a well-earned nickname), told me very bluntly that she is a trouble maker. The first day with her she proved to be very nice and fun to have in class. The next Monday I had my first inkling of trouble with her. I allow my kids a five minute bathroom break to give them some rest during the 1 and 1/2 hour long class. Last week Potato and her friend went on their 5-minute break and didn't come back for 15 minutes, giving me quite a scare. Turns out they went to 7-11 around the block (Yes, 7-11's are everywhere here.) So this week as punishment I did not allow them a break. Class started out fun. We kicked it off by playing a little hangman fo fun. Then we had a small conversation about our weekends. By conversation I mean that I talked for ten minutes. Then I asked the Allstars to do some work. They began to piss and moan and slam their books on the table (wow!). They eventually did their work. When I asked them to read the small stories they wrote, the three girls refused to. REFUSED! I kept trying to talk to them and continually asked them to read their work, and at that point they just pretended as if I was not in the room and ignored me altogether(wow!). The only words they asked me were, "Break? We Break?" They wanted their break eventhough I told them that due to their actions last week, they weren't to have a break. To this they gave disgusted looks and talked in Korean. They talked a little more in Korean and then, in unison, stood and made straight for the door (wow!). I stepped in front of them and said, "only one at a time can go to the bathroom." They got the message. Then Potato started to yell at me! What!?! Never in my wildest dreams would I expect this. So I went and got another teacher and explained my situation and asked if he would assist. He talked to the girls for half-an-hour and then came back out where I was standing. He said the girls told him they did their work and they were angry because, for no good reason, I wouldn't let them go on break. The teacher was as astonished as me at their behavior and told me he had had problems with them as well. They left class, and I went on with my day without talking to them again. I feel comfort knowing that someone else can legitimize my problem if something ever comes of it. But I still don't know what to do with the Allstars and their fearless leader, Potato!

Last Saturday, of the estimated 1000 bars and clubs in Daejeon, I think I may have had the luck, nay divine providence, of finding the only single gay bar--The G Club! I didn't think much of the club name; it just looked like a hopping spot from the outside, and its good location. So I enter. Upon entering I immediately noticed it is filled with approximately 20 guys. "crap!", I think to myself, "No girls and ton of guys." So i sit down and order a drink. I will give it a chance. Half way through my first drink I can tell that one of the patrons and his friend are looking at me and they ask the bartender a question while looking at me. The intuitive mind can only assume that the question concerned me in some way. Then about five minutes later I notice that several men in the bar are sitting very close and touching eachother in various casual ways. My eyes move to the G Club neon sign hanging about the entrance. Immediately I begin to wonder--fuzzy eyeballs, men touching, only men in the bar, G Club,G,G,G,G, Gay Club? Click! I paid as quickly as I could and made for the door. I will never know for sure. But in my opinion, where there's smoke there's fire. Right!?!

KICKS ASS: I got a free coke with my pizza yesterday because the manager at the Dominos likes foreigners.

SUCKS ASS: Mondays and Wednesdays. I have four 1 and 1/2 hour classes each day and one forty-five minute class. An hour and a half is a long time to talk to dissinterested Koreans!

(DID NOT PROOFREAD)