WORLD CUP craziness in SOUTH KOREA!

So here are some pics from E-mart( the big grocery store) with all the soccer festivities including mini soccer goals and people winning things if you score! hehe! It is crazy here at the moment..

As for the opening ceremony-it was tremendous! I was so proud to be South African. I loved the opening ceremony-specially the dung beetle and the large soccer ball! The dancing and colours and diversity ooozed SA! Was so so proud! I think South Africa definitely pulled off a remarkable show and that this World Cup is definitely showcasing to the world what we have to offer: something vibrant and full of energy!

I had a discussion with my teachers yesterday about how much Korea benefited from the Seoul Olympics here in 1988 and I truly feel that South Africa will benefit in the same way-all the footage and broadcasting is just great and portrays our country so well!

My party was great fun-it was so boiling though and my poor guests almost boiled in my tiny place but as you can see fun was had by all! :) As for us four SAFA girls, we belted the national anthem so loudly, it was great! And then man-o-man! That first goal was insane!!!! And I could feel the vibe at home when I phoned Pete in Cape Town about 10 minutes later and all I could here was "olay-olay" and vuvuzelas blowing in the background! :) HAHA! A Mexican guy was supporting too at my place and of course he was delighted when they scored! I do believe our boys deserved to win, but I think the draw was a great way to kick off the World Cup! I was a little peeved with some people who all they could do was complain about soccer- thought it was amusing that they felt they should still come then! Oh and that life like poster of Park Jisung in my photos was stolen by some silly boys from the bakery downstairs, which was funny until the owner pitched at my door demanding it back! Goodness: so the night ended by trying to calm him down and persuade him it wasn't a good idea to call the police! Nevertheless, a good time was had by all, as we ended up at Naerebang as all good Korean nights do.

Although I must say, I felt real homesick when I woke up on Saturday morning! Somehow SK just isn't home.

Bisous

JO

WORLD CUP FEVER IS HERE!

Oh my word! I am absolutely and ridiculously excited!

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010 is here!

I am thrilled! Somehow, in a bizarre way, I feel like I am at home still and able to enjoy the festivities of the World Cup by flying my South African flag high here in South Korea!

SO you be the judge if I am paying enough attention to the World Cup and its beautiful Host Nation:

- I have biltong in my cupboard!

- I bought a south African flag. that is flying over my balcony!

- I did a football lesson with my boys this week & organised a mini soccer tournament for each class for the whole of next week! "Ah teacher-so COOOL!"

- I have recently updated my music selection including mandoza, kurt darren, mango groove and Johnny Clegg and Freshly ground (thanks Marc-you star)

-I taught my gradies all to say: Laaaaduuummmaaa!!!

- I am hosting a Soccer Party tonight for all the foreign teachers and we are serving punch only in South African colours- red (strawberry), yellow (mango), blue (blueberry) and green (green tea flavour-yuck). Cant wait for the opening ceremony and Bafana Bafana to beat Mexico!

-I am going after school to buy face paint and I have printed cool pics off this website

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/preparing_for_the_world_cup.html to hang around my house!

- I made my high school kids debate whether the vuvuzela should be allowed or banned at the World Cup, using the phrases " In my opinion" , " I argue that..", " I believe that..."

-My teachers class was fun as we looked at the hype of the World Cup and whether Korea represented Asia in 2002 World Cup, just as South Africa is a beaming light for Africa! We also discussed the long term benefits the World Cup will have for my country!

-Then, in my after school class, I also played the kids this great tune of "Waving Flag" by K'Naan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSFC5wcLH4Q

- I have read every possible article about World Cup online and I am very familiar with the FIFA site!

-On my fridge is a match schedule for the whole tournament!!

-Then I taught my little student, Seong, who I talk to everyday on the bus about ZAKUMI! :)

-And Oh boy I have just received my parcel from home-(thanks mom)! Lovingly wrapped with a vuvuzela small blower thingy, a zakumi mascot and none other than a BAFANA BAFANA football jersey!

NOW all we have to do is: celebrate in this wonderful game called football, in a magnificent country SOUTH AFRICA!!!

AYOBA, MZANZI!

Quoting my brother Robbie: "Let the celebrations begin!"

VIVA SOUTH AFRICA!