Eastern Country of Decorum

Lately time has quickly converted to activity. I only have a few minutes to update the blog before classes start. I need time to prepare because I have my first and second graders first thing in the morning... you really can't go into battle with the children without a game plan. Downstairs in the main office two sided copies are being made with images of clothing, clothing word searches, and practice lines to write the words... today's lesson plan. I was able to exchange a quick Korean word with one of the teachers. Even "Hello" or "Anangasayo" pleases a Korean. Today I tried asking about his condition, "Kibunee cha wa?"

The Chinese many centuries ago remarked something similar to, "to the east is the land of decorum." Downtown in Jecheon there is a sculpture of 10 foot high books entitled... Modesty, Affection, Courtesy, and Knowledge. The fifth book lays horizontally across the other four. The fifth book is entitled, "Humanity." The foundation for humanity were the pillars, Modesty, Affection, Courtesy, and Knowledge (Knowledge was emphasized by spacing it apart from the other foundation books). The message was subtle, and very different than the messages we find in the United States.