#7

7. Burning firewood – Settling period (Part 1)

Ilchi Lee returned to South Korea and I was left alone.  I came without thinking that I would be staying behind, but suddenly when I was left alone, I felt strange, and a sense of emptiness.  Even though it was a place that was endlessly vast where many people lived, at this time it felt as though I was all alone.  In this unfamiliar foreign country, unable to communicate, and having nothing in my possession, I began to worry as to how to begin.  Initially, for the time being, advertisements were placed intended toward Koreans, and members were gathered.  For newspaper advertisement, since I did not have any money, I made a promise that I would pay when I made the money through gathering members, and advertisements were sparsely placed.  I am truly thankful for the newspapers, journalist, and the person who was in charge of the advertisement, who had faith in me then.  And also, the members vouched for me with lots of their assurance. For that too, I am grateful.  Since arriving in America and in three months of meeting, about sixty people gathered, and now in the businessman’s office, the situation grew to became where it no longer could continue in the limited space.  Naturally, since there was no posted business sign and as for the phone, the businessman’s office phone was being used, it gave a lot of inconvenience to the business. Coming here through personal invitation also had its limitation, which was also a reason to move.  Since it was already in progress, I thought I might as well do it properly.  In order to move the training place to a larger and more spacious place, and while searching for it, I found a Tae Kwon Do training place and decided to use it as a timeshare. I moved there to begin again.  Likewise, it was carpeted and rolled back and forth as if spreading the straw mats.  As the members increased, carpets also little by little increased.  From 4pm to 6pm, Tae Kwon Do training used the place, and other than those hours I used the place.  The rent was $1000 per month.