Sam Teacher - Baby?

No, I am NOT pregnant!!!  Just throwing that out there in case you had ANY question in your mind....!!!

This week marks 10 months of us being in Korea.  And, for those 10 months, we have had the same students in class.  Sure, new students have come and some have left but for the most part, we have had the same students.  That's why I'm still amazed when the students ask if I'm married and their jaws nearly hits the floor after they learn the answer - for the 4th time.

This is usually how the conversation goes:

Student:  Teacher, how old are you?
Me:  I'm 24.
Student:  Boyfriend?
Me:  I'm married....to Zach Teacher.
Students:  Awwwww??!!!! (It's mass confusion by this time.)

Some students will go as far as to ask if we kiss, but I usually divert the conversation to something else.  The very next question is usually:

Student: Teacher, baby?!
Me:  No, I do not have a baby (and I put my arms in front of my chest and cross them - a sign of 'no').

Today, this 'baby' question confused my youngest students immensely!  First off, they know VERY little English.  They know, "My name is..." and "It's a .....".  Korea, as far as I can tell, is still pretty "old fashioned" about marriage and children.  Once you get married, you have kids.  The end.  So, my young students couldn't believe that Zach and I don't have a baby.  They just didn't believe me!  I finally had to draw a picture of me and a picture of Zach on the board.  Then I drew a baby and crossed it out.  Then one girl asked about moms and dads.  I told her they were in the United States.  One of the boys said, "baby in United States?"  They just didn't get it!  haha!

I'm sure this conversation will come up at least a couple more times before we leave and it will be just as confusing to them then as it is now.  :)

Some of our Korean counterparts also don't understand why we don't have children.  We tell them just as we tell everyone else who asks us, "We don't want kids now, but maybe in the future - maybe not."  Yes, I know, babies are wonderful gifts.  However, we want to be selfish for the moment (and maybe forever) and not bring kids into this world.  We are having too much fun!  --Just in case you were wondering!  :)