Happy Teacher's Day To Me!!!!

That's right everybody, today is teacher's day. In most countries this festive occassion may have been bullied out of the running by all of the other gift giving holidays, but here in Korea the air rings loud with the giddy laughter of teacher's getting free shit. Korean parents are taking this holiday pretty seriously. I don't know if this is due in part because of the competition among parents to seem the most well off or if it's because they do in fact appreciate what I do. Whatever it the reason, it's glorious. In fact it's the only day in which it truly pays to be in this profession.
It all started late last week. I believe it was Thursday when I received my first gift: lotion and some body scrub. On Friday a few more trickled in: an ornament for my cell phone and some herbal tea. Today, Monday May 15th is the actual day on which to celebrate one's teachers and the booty has been flooding in. I've only taught one class so far and already I've received some decorative scarves, a pair of earings, a necklace, and a potted plant. Some of the other teachers have really lucked out with designer eyeliner, eye shadow and perfume. The day is young though and I have full confidence that I will walk away with a little bling from the jongno jewelry district. How do I know that? Because I'm that good dammit.