~Day 2~ First Day of Training

Trained 23 students today - 11 were in the prevous project/12 were new. It was wonderful to have the past students in the class because they immediately started helping the new students. Everyone did well on the test except for the trick question I threw in (using Junk Data as a workflow status).

We have two new team leads - Somogyi Marta and Toth Mate. They were here from the last project and I am happy to have them back.

Lunch was clear soup with pasta and was very good. I also had mashed potatoes with a grilled chicken breast smothered in and swimming on top of a creamy peach sauce (wha?!). Product Review - 1 star. At least it's keeping me on my diet.

I sat through most of a safety/fire extinguisher training for a few minutes after lunch - didn't understand one single word the guy was saying but the students seemed to be laughing so I'm sure it went fine.

Fewer login issues this time - one small technical hurdle was that we had 23 students and only 10 PCs in the room. So during the second round of Guardian work, I had to juggle some people around. I made sure that the people who hadn't been here last time did a full hour - some of the returning students only had to do 1/2 an hour.

I took pictures of both groups. I will try and get those posted tonight.

Hungarian Product Non-Review

So I was doing some more shopping at my favorite local grocery store tonight (p.s. I found good grapes!) when I saw Hot Dog-flavored Cheetos.

I actually picked them up because I knew my audience would want me to try them but after inspecting them further, I put them back. There are only two possible outcomes: 1) I wouldn't like them, thus wasting money and food, or 2) I would like them and then I would be tempted to eat them all. As some of you know I am eating mostly rabbit food these days, and Hot Dog-flavored Cheetos are most certainly not eaten by any non-genetically modified rabbits.

Here is a picture stolen from someone else's vacation:




If you would like for me to bring some back for you to try, let me know and I will try to remember to get some on my last day here.

~Day 1~ Getting over Jetlag/Getting Ready for a Busy Week Ahead

So I made it to Debrecen yesterday afternoon after many hours on planes and layovers. No problems with any of the flights or anything though so I'm not complaining.

Met my taxi guy at the airport (nem English) and after communicating with him via sign language that we could not leave until I got a Diet Coke, we were off. The poor guy must have thought I was drunk. I was so drowsy I slept probably 90% of the way. I was trying to stay awake to help with the jetlag, but no such luck. Kate riding in a car + sun = sleep.

Last night, I made my first trip to the Match grocery store to stock up on Diet Coke and water. I tried to find some fruit but no luck. Mini Product Review: Activia Yogurt - I had something that looked like mixed berry and it was delicious. I crumbled up some plain Puffins in it this morning - 5 stars!

More later - doing some last minutes touches on my training presentation for tomorrow. Training 20 students tomorrow, 20 Wednesday, QC'ing all of their word (and making any needed cuts) on Thursday and then starting for real on Friday.

Interesting Site

Intrade Prediction Markets

It's like a stock exchange for political figures and/or events. It's hard to explain but just go there and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I'm adding a "stock tracking" chart to my blog for the Presidential Candidates.

Edited to add: couldn't figure out a way to make it fit nicely on the left-hand side so it's gonna sit on top of blog posts for a while. When I get tired of it, I'll move it to the bottom.

Product Review - Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips

So my friend Mimi introduced me to Fresh Gourmet Wonton Strips (Wasabi Ranch flavor). They are like crack.



So when I saw Santa Fe style crack, I had to try it. I've been eating a lot of rabbit food lately so I need something to change it up. I really like these too! 5 Stars!



My friend at work, Ann, likes these plain salted ones, but I just don't understand why you would ever choose plain tortilla strips over MSG-smothered tortilla strips. Who knows.

I Promise More Posts at the End of the Month

I am heading back to Hungary at the end of this month to do some additional training, so I will try to post something daily during that week. I am not promising quality content people, just quantity.

Movie Review

Went and saw "The Counterfeiters" the other day and it was really good. It's based on a true story about prisoners in a concentration camp who are selected based on their professions (printer/graphic design) to try and counterfeit the British pound and American dollar for the Nazis. It's a little difficult to watch in places - they don't sugarcoat anything. Oh and it's in German with English sub-titles.

Cute Overload

Tiny pig + tiny boots = Cute Overload

Just kill me now.