Moments. We all have them. Moments of random happiness, inspiration, sadness, realization, contentment. Today I had a million moments. An exaggeration, maybe, but a well deserved one. Today was probably one of the most beautiful days in Seoul that I have experienced since moving into my apartment. Today, I truly FELT spring. Everything about it was wonderful. The sun was shining, the window hung open beside me at work, my desktop orchid basked in the glowing sun, and I was well suited for it in my new spring dress. I am always happy to see my students' faces on Monday morning. It might be the start of a new work week, but they make it worth it. I couldn't help but smile each time a new period began and I greeted my students with "Isn't it BEAUTIFUL outside today!" I received a lot of responses... from blank stares, to "Teacher NO.. I don't like the sun."
At 1:40pm, when my last class left my room... all I could do was sit and contemplate a nice long walk and wonder which direction the city would take me. At 4:40pm, I was out the doors and on my way through city streets, tall city buildings, and rays of sunshine. I walked for two hours from Wolgye Station to Myeonmok Station..
It was there where I finally met up with some friends, Aileen and Cameron. Korean BBQ and Baskin Robins... pretty typical for the three of us. It was what happened after that really took me to a happy place. We started walking, originally to locate and purchase some strawberries at a locate market, yet somehow ended up blowing bubbles in the city streets, making small Korean children smile, conversing with a local drunken bubble loving old Korean man, and inspiring everyone in the park to purchase bubbles of their own.
In passing, I caught a glimpse of some sword and light saber shaped bubble rods... a must have, I told my friends. I made my way into the store to make the purchase as the Korean women behind the counter giggled at the three of us relentlessly. No time wasted, we popped those bad boys open and went right to it on the sidewalk outside the store. From twirls to full on struts up and down the sidewalk, we danced about and played. Koreans walked by, either staring at us blankly or simply smiling (two younger guys offered to take our picture). As we decided to take it across the street to the park, where it seemed less distracting and more free... we were bombarded by a drunken Korean man who wanted to take part in our shenanigans. He attempted to speak a slur of Korean to me just before taking the wand out of my hand and playing with us. As he made bubbles, he laughed, asked where we were from, flung the wand around while making goofy gestures, and then went on with his night. He was kind and fun and really made our night much more entertaining. At the same time, Aileen noticed a little girl behind her dancing in the bubbles while smiling back and forth at her mother and the bubbles floating around her. While we waited for the green walking man to cross the street, we blew some bubbles for her and then made our way over to the small park. Just before the little girl ran off, Aileen caught her and gave her bubble wand to her. She was thrilled, as was Aileen, as she watched her play, knowing that she took part in the smile on her face. Again, people walked by... smiling or just passing on with their night. We continued playing, while the small children around us started to join in. A small boy, about four years old ran circles around us popping our bubbles and dancing in them. As I bent down to let him try to blow some himself, I saw his face light up, and he ran back to his mother giggling like a happy clam. Cameron on the other hand had a slightly older crowd of middle school girls in uniforms watching him. As Aileen and I prompted him to turn and blow bubbles for them, they cheered and blushed. On and on and on it went... we were making people smile. As we continued, we started to notice something... bubbles... coming from other directions. We started a trend, an inspiration you might say. People around us had gone to the store across the street and purchased bubbles of their own. As we stopped and noticed what was going on, a feeling of amazement just enveloped my body. What a wonderful thing that was happening right before our eyes. I walked over and gave my bubbles to the four year old as his mother thanked me and urged him to, smiles on both of their faces. I stopped and looked around before we decided to move on. The little girl, the four year old boy, the middle school girls, and the parents who were watching over their children... simple and pure enjoyment brought on by soapy water. Could it be? In a world where the young grow up too fast and the old forget what it feels like to be young... we sparked a bubble movement. On we went with our evening... as I walked away from the park and we left our bubble rods to others, I felt pure happiness.... and what a wonderful feeling it was. Mission accomplished.
I love it! Your students are so lucky to have you as their teachers. Glad you're having fun!
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