My school has informed me that I can eat lunch for free everyday, so I decided to take them up on it today.
I went down to the cafeteria, mildly concerned about the swarming, screaming six and seven year-olds. I should have known...being that 5 out of 7 teachers eat outside the school each day. 
I arrived in the cafeteria and was promptly shown my seat.  Opposite me at the other end of the table was Deidre, another new teacher.  In between us were six children. All around us, about 60 more...all of them screaming it seemed. Conversation was all but impossible. 
Throughout lunch the girl to my immediate left stared at me intently. I said hello and she smiled...but continued to stare. She put food into her mouth without really looking at it and ended up with bits of rice on her cheek. It was a bit disconcerting after awhile. 
The food, served on a neatly compartmentalized tray, was standard Korean fare. There was kimchi...and then I get lost. On the top right: something green and vegetable like...but not one I'm familiar with. On the bottom: a bowl of soup, but the kid next to me stole my spoon. To the left: a heap of rice. Top right: hmm...I'm not really sure...it seemed like some sort of veggie-burger balls in a slightly sweet soy sauce...but then someone told me it was meat...which alarms me. I have to admit it was tasty though.
Deidre said to me, "I can see losing weight if I eat here everyday." Besides the rice, the portions were minuscule. (It could be that running around with my kids is making me extra hungry.)  Then the lunch lady brought us some more kimchi (spicy pickled cabbage)...but I was really hoping for more of the mystery veggie-ball things.
Anyway, after lunch, I was informed by another teacher that I'm now pretty much under contract to eat in the cafeteria everyday. He said he's only gotten out of it by saying he's going to the doctor. So it will be me, the little staring girl, unidentifiable Korean food and 60-70 screaming kids at lunch each day.  Fan-tastic.  
Oh yeah...and still no pillow! That may change tonight though. I spoke to the director of kindergarten and I think (if I understood her correctly) that she may be bringing me one tonight.  I am SO keeping my fingers crossed. The crick in my neck (which is developing a personality of its own) is doing the same.  I'll keep ya posted.