Does the word "Butter" End With an "S"?

Ahh the frustrations of teaching are not unique to the continental United States.

While in class today trying to explain the difference between collective plurals (i.e. coffee, tea, & milk) or uncountables and countable plurals (i.e. eggs, pears, & apples), I posed the question to my students--Does "butter" end with an "s"? I received a blank stare from seven students. So I wrote it on the board and made the gestures appropriate to help the students grasp the question. Still all I received were blank stares. I could not believe it. A quick aside if you will--words that are countable, by rule, end with -s. Words that are uncountable do not receive the plural -s. This diatribe went on for nearly ten minutes before I got a solitary gesture of understanding. Not a word but a nod-of-the-head was given to me by one of the girls sitting up front. Some would say, "oh, Will be patient. They don't speak english." But at the beginning of class they are able to discuss with me grammatical issues much more complex than being able to realize whether or not a word ends with -s. These are the same tests of patience I had to face with my students when I taught at Hagerty High School in the states. All I have to say is, "Ahhhh, it gets under my skin!"

So I had an awkward moment today which was pretty sweet! Apparently, Koreans do not have the same disregard for the homeless as we do. As I had lunch, a homeless man walked into the restaurant where I was eating and began to speak loudly to me in Korean. I had no idea what he was saying, and everyone in the place was gauking at this most odd interaction. No one came to my defense while this man was verbally attacking me (at least what it felt like). This went on for several minutes in the middle of my meal! Eventually, he made a forget-you gesture with his hands and walked out. A lady then approached me and in broken english said, "the man want smoke." What!?! That sure as hell wouldn't fly in America, but it sure as hell does here! It blew my mind!

KICKS ASS: My boss gives me free lunch at a good restaurant downstairs. It is good food and foriegner friendly, even though I nearly got accosted by a homeless man.

SUCKS ASS: Besides the lunch incident, another thing that sucks ass is that a little kid, about up to my waist in height (can you see where this is headed?) punched me right in the crotchal region! It was awesome!

*Oh yeah. I ate some questionable meat and eggs today, so pray that I don't get food poisoning. More to come as this potentially ticking time bomb goes off. Pray for me!

(DID NOT PROOFREAD)- this is for my mother who tells me my blogs should reflect my abilities in grammar and syntax as I am an English teacher. Well, I am writing everynight at 11'o clock, and I just can't find the energy. I love you mom.