Recently, my school held their annual Sports Day. All day long, the classes (there are six in each grade) competed against each other in jump rope, tug-o-war, dodge ball (for the girls), and basketball (for the boys).
I didn't think it was going to be such a big deal, but it was a BIG DEAL. I've been to other school events--a pop concert, a school carnival--but this was my favorite. Between study time and classes and extracurricular activities, these kids found the time to make the hugest banners I've ever seen to hang from the balconies in the gym. Every class had a costume that they all wore: one team had black t-shirts with the Batman symbol and gold capes; the team that asked me to support them had purple t-shirts with the Playboy bunny on them (upsetting) and bejeweled shades; another team wore Chinese tiger emblazoned shirts. The kids had noisemakers, drums, and cheers (with the requisite dance moves) written and choreographed. The gym shook and boomed with their cheering, leaving me half-deaf by the end of the day, like I'd been at a concert.
Something you may not know about Korean high school girls: they play dodge ball with a brutality, intensity, and skill that would impress you. And they also weep copiously when they lose.
Something you may not know about Korean high school boys: they look good playing basketball, they've got all the moves, but they can't sink a basket to save their lives. I think the final score was like 11 to 5. Riveting. :)
It wasn't until Sports Day that the fact that I am leaving soonish really hit me. I looked around at all the kids, watched them cheer and encourage their teams, watched them take such total delight in a rare day for them--a day without classes, without study--and I almost cried. I realized how much I will miss them when I go.
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