When did it become June?

Seriously. How is it June already? I was talking to someone the other day and I found myself saying I had been here for 2 months. Time flies... It really doesn't feel like I have already been here that long or that I will be leaving in just 2.5 months. The time is passing so quickly! Okay, enough reflection, what you all really want to know is what I have been up to!

This last week was another week of lots of training. When I was telling my mom about how much training I had this week and how long of a week it was going to be (and by telling, perhaps there was a hint of whine in my voice...) she abruptly asked "But isn't that why Target sent you to India". Nothing like a good reality check delivered from 8000 miles away :) Isn't that just what moms are for??? Put you back in your place (just kidding mom). Despite my occasional whine, training is really going well. I'm incredibly energized by how well this group of new hires is doing and honestly can't wait for them to get started on the job. There is a lot of great talent and it really gives me faith that what we're doing over here is going to not only work, but soar. I'm also so excited by how well my "shadow" is doing. While I'm training the new hires I'm simultaneously training a team member to take over from me once i leave. He's doing so well, and it makes me so proud to see him excelling. We definitely have a lot of work to do in the next 2.5 months, but I am reveling in the fact that I feel that I am in the right place and doing good things. It is an insanely rewarding feeling.

So now you realize that when I said the self-reflection was over, it was a huge fat lie :) But honestly, most of my energies this week have focused on work, so that gets the majority of this post. There have been some good times this weekend though! Friday night a bunch of us went to this really great restaurant in Koramangala (which is right by the RJU building) and saw a live "band". It was really a duo that was an Australian who played the acoustic guitar and a German who played the violin. They apparently met randomly in a coffee house in Bangalore and decided to play together. They were good, but it was really the back story that I loved. What are the chances these two guys find each other??? Honestly.

The other cool thing I did this weekend was go to a fashion show. By fashion show I don't mean with a runway and models and all that, it was just the launch of a new fashion line created by an ex-Target India team member. She had worked in the Finance team and then resigned because she wanted to design clothing. And her clothes were really beautiful. Those of you who know my wardrobe know that India isn't quite my style (i wear solid colors, straight lines, blue, black, brown...okay, fine Jen Stone, I dress like a boring grandma with the occasional cute shoe which garners a "shut up with those cute shoes Kate Brady") :) Needless to say the bold prints and even bolder color schemes of India don't exactly appeal to my "fashion sense". But this stuff was really great, clean lines, really nice materials (silks, linens, etc...) and I just really liked her stuff. One problem. Indian women and I have nothing in common as far as sizes go. The designer was really sweet and kept insisting I try things on. I tried to explain that I have long awkward limbs and the chances of anything fitting me were slim to none. She would not take no for an answer and so the humiliation of trying on a long sleeved shirt that was just a little too long to be 3/4 length ensued. She was floored. The best part is another expat was there taking pictures of the whole event and snapped a photo. When I get a copy I'll post it, it's hysterical. I look like someone accidentally shrunk my shirt. Either that or I'm wearing a child's size. Needless to say afterwards she felt really bad and I just had to explain that it was okay, I'm just a freak who doesn't have arms, I have a wingspan. I actually was able to get a really cool linen jacket (it was 3/4 length...WOOHOO!) that I'm sure you'll see in some future picture albums/blog posts.

Another thought: It's easy as expats to only go to the 5-star hotels, the nicest restaurants and get $10 pedicures every weekend, but sometimes its good to observe real life. I like that side of India. And the truth is, once the people here get past how pale and tall I am, they're incredibly friendly and welcoming. They just stare at what is new and different. For example, today I was down in the gym and there were two little Indian girls who were fascinated that I was running (and sweating) on the treadmill and so they came in, brought some chairs and watched. Seriously. They watched me run for 30 minutes. They sat, they stared. At first it made me a little nervous and also made me try and run a little faster (If I'm going to have an audience, I need to impress). After about 5-7 minutes I just thought it was funny. When I finished my run I figured maybe they had not ever been on a treadmill so I slowed the pace down and invited them to try it. I really wish I had gotten a picture of it, they were so adorable. They were a little bit petrified but after a few minutes they thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. Honestly these are the little experiences that I'm always going to remember. Those two little girls, my driver Shekar who just makes my day consistently, the security guards at C2 who stand every time I enter the building, the guard at Zen who salutes me as Shekar and I drive out. It's the little interactions that make the biggest impression on me.

I've already gotten so much out of this experience and I can't wait to see what the next half of this trip will bring. Coming up I've got a weekend trip to Chennai with 5 other expats and then the next weekend I'll see Mike and Jane!!!! I really can't wait to see my parents, it's going to be great. I was talking to my roommate Pam the other night and she's actually worried that going to Sweden and Denmark is going to be a total culture shock for me after being in India. When I thought about it I completely agreed. Sweden is like the antithesis of India. Clean, white, bright, organized, tall blond people everywhere. And my parents brought up this morning their concerns about me eating in Sweden and whether my stomach could take all these changes. We'll see. Plus, that's why God invented Cipro :) Sweet Cipro. And yes, by that comment everyone now knows I finally got sick. It wasn't too bad at all though and honestly I probably jumped the gun a little taking the Cipro, but that stuff is magical. Magical...

You know, i was worried when I began this post that I wouldn't really have anything interesting to share. But then I remembered how good I am at rambling on and just talking in general. Silly Kate, tricks are for kids. Have a great week everyone!!! :)

Dedication of this blog goes to Shawn Boyd. I'm going to miss you Shawnathan Justice, but I am so excited to hear about your adventures. Good luck and make sure you keep in touch!!!