Teacher Sports Day

As many of you know, I've never been much of an athlete. In little league, I was always deep in the outfield with a spaced out look on my face, thinking about my latest screenplay. When it was my turn to bat, the opposing team's coach would say, "Megan's up, everybody move in." I never participated much in gym class, and if I was ever questioned by the gym teacher, all I had to do was pull out my inhaler and they would back off.

However, now I'm in Korea, and as a songsengneem (teacher) it is my duty to participate in TEACHER SPORTS DAY!!!

Every Wednesday, the teachers from five different schools get together in one of the schools' gymnasiums. Here is where TEACHER SPORTS DAY commences. After a brief ceremony by the host school's principal and a quick listen to the South Korean National Anthem, we engage in a 3 round volleyball tournament!!!

Koreans take volleyball very seriously, especially elementary school teachers. Most schools hold practices every week after class, and I've even heard stories of teachers getting kicked off teams because of questionable volleyball skills.

Luckily, my school (Mudeung Elementary) is not this serious. Unfortunately, however, we are also the laughing stock of the entire Teacher Sports Day establishment. I asked my teammate Yong-Won if our school ever held practices. He replied, "Yes...two years ago." Mudeung Elementary hasn't even won a game in two years, since the glory days when many "strong, young men taught here." Upon my arrival in August, many believed that I would help lead the team to a victory, Michael J. Fox style (I'm talking about Teen Wolf). This definitely hasn't happened. On a bright note, however, I'm not the worst player on the team. That honor goes to 1st grade teacher Mr. Kim. During last month's game, he tried to bounce the volleyball off of his belly, as if his stomach could make the ball fly 30 feet over and across the net. He tried this not once, but TWICE in the same game!