My Second Teachers' Day

Well, another Teacher's Day has come and gone. Last year I was pleasantly surprised with the amount and quality of the presents I got, but this year I was slightly disappointed. I even had a strategy this year: I got all my students little trinkets such as pencils, notepads, stickers, and arts and crafts supplies for Children's Day, conveniently timed ten days before Teachers' Day, in hopes that that would spark the spirit of giving in the students, or at least the parents.

I started getting presents on Tuesday for some reason. So far, I have received a traditional small Korean bag (ideal for carrying makeup in a larger purse), a ceramic candleholder with tea lights an aromatic oils, a pair of bottles of merlot, some "sports socks," a scarf that seems to be silk, some chocolate, some handmade soaps, a bottle of shower gel, a tube of body cream, and a carnation (the traditional gift). Additionally, one of my student parents and some other parents sent over cake, doughnuts, or other snacks for the teachers.

Most of these gifts are really nice, and things I'll actually use, but for some reason they're not as impactful as last year. Originally I thought that the recession affected parents' ability to buy gifts, but upon reviewing my blog from a year ago, I found that about the same amount of students gave me gifts last year. Maybe it's because I got all the gifts in one day last year, or because I wasn't expecting as much that this year seems wanting. But anyway, I'm glad to have gotten what I got, and luckily I won't be weighed down bringing a bunch of extra things home in what will probably be two full bags.

I'm drinking some of the merlot that one student gave me today. I'm not a wine drinker, and I gotta say, THAT SHIT IS GROSS. But I've accumulated five bottles of red wine (I'm now inclined to think that Koreans don't drink white wine) through gifts from today and Lunar New Year, as well as a bottle left by the former occupant of this apartment. I figured I oughta try it out, anyway. I think I'll be giving the rest away.

I'll post a picture Monday or Tuesday of my gifts, since at least one student forgot to bring my gift today (that happened last year, as well).

Update: I didn't get any more gifts today or yesterday, so here are the pics of everything I got. I must say, last year's picture was a lot busier: