email: training is over

gifts are given during lunar new year, a spam set being a popular gift item.

Subject: training is over!

Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2007 18:20:03 +0000
dear mom and dad,

i forgot to tell you that yesterday when i was leaving the afternoon training, the instructor Randi (really small cute korean-american) chats with me a bit in the elevator and asked where i'll be teaching. i didnt know at the time so i told her i was awaiting my assignment. she said "you should teach at the main branch," smiles "b.c that's where i work." i was so flattered!!! i was pretty proud of my presentation in her class that afternoon, and her compliment confirmed it. it felt really great. i wish anyway that i was going to the main branch, b/c i really like her.

on another positive, a fellow trainee Leo (who i met day one here) will be in pyongchon same as me, so it'll be nice to have someone i kind of know when i get there.

so i woke up at 3:15am today! *sigh* maybe next week my brain/body will adjust with training over. the morning step workout has been a lifesaver. mom, you thinking about exercise just yet? just a LITTLE walk, mom, not too much.

we had our final evaluations today, everybody did really well. i take back the things i said about my peers, everyone really shined today, it was wonderful.

it's lunar new year here in korea, so the streets are going to be pretty quiet and a lot of stores closed. when i was on my way to training this morning, there was NOBODY on the streets, which was weird! every other time i step outside, the streets are full of people! one of my colleagues, max (he is korean american) explained that it's lunar new year, and it is when people spend time with families. i think the holiday goes on until monday or so.

we're pretty close to a mall here atthe hotel, i really want to buy a scale but im nervous about trying to communicate. well, pointing and smiling has worked thus far, so i'll just give it a go. ~sha.