Oh what a day!

How does one begin to comprehend this day really. Three weeks into the year and I have my first parent meeting request and open house all in one fail swoop. We are going on 14 hours today and maybe the end is finally in sight.
Let's just touch on the parent conference first. Remind you, I had no idea what was coming after 3 weeks. I barely even know the kids. As a matter of routine I just get ready for the worst and hope I don't get too chewed up in the end. This was quite the opposite however. The mother of this 11th grade student came in to just let me know that she and her husband are willing to support ME and her son in any way possible. They just moved here from California and he is having a tough time because all of his friends are back there. She just wanted to say how important she thought music was and if there was ever a time when the kids needed a place to rehearse or help that she would open her home for that or if she or her husband could help to please call. I was already in awe over that whole concept when the personal question came. Mind you, I don't mind answering because it is very common for them to ask you personal things because they take it in stride here. I got the ever popular "Are you married?" To which I answered no. And she replied, "Oh don't worry you can have any man here you want." pause to figure this out..."You are a teacher, one of the most honored professions in Korea, especially for a woman so if you want a husband you will have many to choose from." By the end of this I wanted her to show me some of these rare male specimens so I could see for myself. I guess I will just have to trust her on that because for the time being I am a little busy with educating the youth of the world. But, I will keep it in mind.
Fast forward about 8 hours and you have open house. Usually an evening I never enjoy because I fear these things called parents. They can attack for no reason at times. Most at high school age are never seen or heard from. For the first hour that proved to be the case, the hiding I mean, not the attacking. Then all of a sudden the flood gates open and here they come. Lined up. I figured that I might have some of that with the fact I was new, but never quite this many. I met a few Tiger Moms as well. They definitely do exist. Most of them just want to know how there students are doing. Many want to know if there student should take private lessons. Some students are in the youth symphony here and I will have to check that out. Most want to make sure that their student is not acting out in class and is doing all of their work. Language barriers were definitely there for some but we got the point across for the most part. I learned that it is best to smile a lot. Koreans aren't used to that. You shake the hand of the father if it is initiated by him first, but it is the mother that is in charge of the kids and the education. You usually do not shake the mother's hand unless they offer it and they are not so used to that. There is definitely a lot of of bowing. The deeper the bow, the more respect and usually you bow deep to an elder. I felt like we were doing the limbo in reverse sometimes because we were trying to outbow each other. All in all I would say it was a success but Korean parents usually never disagree with you to your face. They choose to show displeasure outside of the school time. I even got a "homegirl" handshake from a mom tonight.
Korea is pretty amazing...strange...but amazing. Now in about 12 hours I get to go to an all day inservice. Woooooo!