observations from the last class

The class I just finished tends to be one of my favorites: it's full of "characters."  I have recently discovered that the main gangster of the room is really smart, and thank heavens, he seems to be generally on my side.

Things they said today, and how they made me feel:

:(
Jin Sol said: "Teacher, arms, oh no."
My hairy arms really bother this guy, apparently.  It's like the tenth time  he's mentioned it, but at least it's always with a smile.  Initially it was funny, but now I'm like, geez, kid, my arms bothered me a little when I was at home with other hairy barbarians.  Here in the land of the hairless I'm starting to feel a mite more insecure about it all.

:(
Frankenstein said: "Internet shopping ..."  (other boys talking to my co-teacher, "internet shopping blah blah blah") -- finally, Frankenstein again: "Teacher, GMarket.  You, internet shopping."  Me:  "Actually, I got this at Uniqulo.  And this from Forever 21.  But I do like internet shopping."
I am pretty sure that he meant my clothes looked cheap.  I guess this outfit doesn't please them ... But it's so comfortable.  Still, I know I could do better, style-wise.  I think whether I wear it again will depend on how grouchy I feel, haha.  I'll definitely wear it on grouchy days.

:) / :-O
Sweetheart: "Teacher!  You girlfriend, my girlfriend!  Come here baby."  Me:  "I'm a little old, and you're going to get yourself in trouble."
This kid is adorable, but he better watch it, ha.  "Come here baby" is a phrase a lot of my boys try to use on me before I turn "death ray glare" on them.  I've heard them say it to other female teachers too -- wonder where they picked it up.  They just use it when they want help with their work, ha.

:)
Kid who actually has facial hair: "Teacher, me English, no." Me: "Okay.  This one - where do you live?  You house?  I live in ---, you live in ---?"  (blank gaze of confusion in response) I then proceeded to ask where his house is in Korean - freaked him out a little, haha.  But he understood and gave me an answer, way too fast for me to catch it.  So I sat down and tried to talk through things with him, but his main response was, "Mm.." with a vaguely distressed look of incomprehension.  Which I understand.  Poor guy.  I think we made a little progress, and I'm surprised that I didn't notice him before today.  Seems like a good kid.