Cadel Evans wins le Tour de France

Some of you may know that I enjoy cycling from time to time, though my cycling in Korea has been extremely limited. Anyway, the only other person who cares about cycling is my British friend Dan who leaves in nearby Nonsan. Dan is a real cyclist... he actually packed up his bike and sent it to Korea, so he puts me to shame (I'm not nearly a good enough mechanic to do that. Flat tires and dropped chains are my limit.). Everyone else here only cares about rugby, soccer, and cricket.

Dan and I made a small wager on the Tour, 10,000won (about $10) - he chose Alberto Contador and I chose Andy Schleck. Turns out we were both wrong. I don't know what the protocol is for when both of us lose.

Side note: as you may or may not know, I have a mountain bike here. It's about two years old, I think, and the gears are pretty rotten. I should take it to a bike shop for a tune up but haven't done so yet. Usually I just don't change gears as I don't really need to since I just use it to get around town, but the humidity has rusted my chain and now it's really messed up.

Buyeo has a yearly lotus festival at Gungnamji Pond, which is about a five minute walk from my apartment. It opened last Thursday, and ever since then I feel like I'm back home during July as there are fireworks going off at random times.

Lotus leaves get pretty gigantic. By the way, that bracelet I'm wearing was a present from the kindergarten teacher. She made it herself.

Gungnamji pond
Last day at Seokseong, my second school. The teachers are so kind, they bought me a cake and some presents (hand mirror and little bag). Three of my sixth grade girls were hanging out with me after camp finished, so the head teacher gave us the rest of the cake.

After camp was over, my students were helping me with my Korean.

Ramyeon noodles to celebrate the end of camp.

Camp students. My co-teacher is in the back.

I gave my kids the Bubble Yum I got from my Kretz relatives :) They loved it.

"Teacher, big gum!"

Goofing off after camp.

I've trained my students well.