May 29, 2000

Hello Mister Lee! I was very glad to get a letter from some one close to my age. I am 50 and I work in a family owned business. I am not from Italy... but I am third generation over here. My grand parents came over in the early 1900's on my fathers side. I live in a very Italian neighborhood. But we are business people... we are not Sicillian and Mafia! There is a difference. Please tell me a little more about yourself.

Sardina


May 30, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee. It is holiday here for me and work is closed so I thought I'd write you. The weather is nice here but it will get very warm very soon. I must tell you that I have no interest in getting involved in your business. Maybe I misunderstood you. But that is the meaning I got from your letter. Please do not find me rude, but I am very direct person. I have found it is better to be that way. I do not know you or your business practices. If you still want to write me after hearing this, feel free to tell me more about yourself..

Sardina


June 01, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee. I was glad to get your letter. I too, enjoy having people in other countries to talk to. I hope we can write for a long time. Music has always been very dear to me. I grew up listening to many different styles. Jazz, Blues, Rock & Roll, and even some classical. Oh! I can't forget Frank Sinatra! Music can change my mood if I am sad and put a smile back on my face. Ilove to sing, too. My mother used to sing to us when we were little. I don't think I have ever heard any Korean folk music. What is it like? I have a tape of Chinese zither music and I sometimes find it very peaceful after a long day. I live in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in the west bank of the Mississippi river. We are called the "Gate Way To The West" because many people passed through here on their way west during the early 1800's. The building I live in used to be a "dry goods" store back then. People used to stop and fill their covered wagons with flour, sugar, tools and clothes for the long trip west. Pioneer days! What kind of American books do you like to read? Old? New? Both? I'm going to say good night  for now. I went to the chiropractor today and I feel like an over cooked noodle. Limp! It feels good though. Your English is very good. Many people who were born here don't write it as well as you. I will be looking for your letter... Sandy

June 07, 2000

Hello, Hyon-soo!
It was good to get your letter. St. Louis has always been a baseball city! We are home to the St Louis Cardinals. We are proud to have one of the best hitters of all time here. Mark McGuire(Big Mac) who broke all the hitting records over the past 2 seasons plays here. He's quite exciting to watch and there are many other good players on the team to back him up. One of the things I admire about him is that he always gives credit to the other team members. He is very popular and sometimes
when that happens to a man his ego goes crazy. Not Big Mac! He thanks his teammates and no matter how long it takes he makes sure that every child who wants his autograph get it after a game.
You asked what I work for. You have heard that here we live full lives. You are very right. We have so much available to us over here. I work in a family establishment and would like to keep it going when my father gets too old. Our restaurant is closed now but our bar business is still good. My younger sister and 2 younger brothers have left for a different lines of work over the years. Working with the drinking public is not for everyone! I've been doing it since I was 25 years old. My knee joints, back, and shoulders are starting to remind me every day of my age! Ha! Such is life! In St. Louis we have very many small neighborhood bars. You get to know your customers and most of them become good friends over the years. Ours is a pretty big house. The bar seats 15~20 people with room for another 20 at the tables. The room that used to be the dining room can seat up to another 60 people. At night when all the big restaurants around here close, many of the employees visit me and that's fun begins. Usually our busiest time is from midnight to 3:00 in the morning. We usually have from 30 to 50 people get there all around the same time. They are all ready to party and some of them act like they just got our of jail and haven't had a drink in years! Ha! It's the nature of the beast in all of us I guess. I guess I hope I can keep my health and retire early enough to relax and smell the roses for a while. But one never knows what the future holds. What about you? You sounded a bit down in your letter. I am ashamed to say I know very little of the history of Korea. I am sure that what I learned in school many years ago is inaccurate and biased. I have learned more about the world history in the last 10 years that I ever id in school! I have been divorced for 5 years and I think I am ready to look for a man to share my life again. I get lonely at times even after being surrounded by all the people at work. I miss having some to listen to quiet music with on a Sunday afternoon! Well, I guess I've bent your ear enough. I try not to use too much American or Italian slang in my letters to you, but if there is anything I say that you don't understand, just ask me! I'm going to send you some of the jokes I have if you don't mind. They will come from my other e-mail address which is SMP434 so you know who they are from. Let me know if you like them. I don't know what kind of humor you like. I am an adult and enjoy adult humor so some this may be sexual in content but not all of it is. It's meant for a laugh among grown-ups and that is all, but if you have children some what I send may not be good for them to see! Tell me more about yourself and I will talk to you later... Sandy.

 June 14, 2000

Hello, Mr. lee. Sorry it took me so long to write, but I am buying my very first computer. I have been doing some reading trying to decide which one is best for me. The web-tv equipment I have was a good beginning but I want to see more of the world. I will send you my new e-mail address before I make the switch..
So you used to drink a quart of whisky when you were younger! I can't say that I have ever drank a quart of any hard liquor at one sitting, but I used to put a pretty good dent in a bottle of Tequila when I was younger! I used to love that stuff, but it made me so sick that I quit drinking it. I still have a few shots of vodka late at night before I get busy at the bar.
I was surprised when you told me Steven Foster was one of your favorite artists. We used to sing his songs in school when I was young. They are very beautiful and I had not thought about them in a long time. I think my tastes are changing. I listen to more classical music now than I ever did. I am old rock and roller at heart but at home I listen to more quiet music.. Mellow jazz with a sad saxophone is nice too. What kind of movies do you like? I regret that I have not read any of Earnest Hemmingways novels but I have seen some of the movies that made from them. The books are always better! The last book I read was "The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. It was one that held my interest all the way to the end..
I am going to sine off for now...tomorrow night when I'm at work and I do my first shot of vodka, I'll know you are having a scotch with your friends! What do you and your friends talk about? Politics, sports and sex are argued over here! Write when you have a chance...good night until later.....Sandy

June 21, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee! It was god to hear from you. I am doing well and it is getting very warm here, too. It is also very humid today. It's already 90% humidity in the air today and it's only just begun. You seem to be asking yourself some very deep questions. I have been doing that too. I think it's all a part of getting older. When I finally realised that I was closer to the end than the beginning it made me reevaluate some things in my life. I don't know why I am here, either. To make the world a little better, maybe? This way we can undo some of the bad things others do. Ballance?
I tried to get on your web site but my web tv unit can't pull it down. I have a new computer, though, and I am about ready to go on line. Yours will be the first web site I go to tonight. I will send you my new e-mail address in a few days. You can write me here until then... Yes, I watched the Baseball game last Friday. It was pretty good. I had it on at the bar. I will be sure to watch again this Friday while you are watching. Maybe this time we will win! I'm going to say good-bye for now. I have some things to get at the store. I am cooking some "tout a mare" for my father. It means "all from the sea." It's seafood sauce to put over pasta(noodles). I promised him some for Fathers Day.. It has fresh herbs, garlic, tomatoes, and other good stuff. I'll see you Friday at the ball park!.....  Yours Sandy

June 24, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee! I just got home from work. It is very late for me. It is 4:00 A.M. for me. I just wanted to remind you that we will be watching the same baseball game tomorrow night! Tonight we had the game on at the bar and the Cardinals won...but it was a fight... it went back and forth...I am tired... I will be watching...Sandy

June 28, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee. Here's my new e-mail address:
sandria434@earthlink.net  You can write me there from now on. I will answer your letter late tonight from that address. Yours...Sandy.

June 30, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee. I just got home from work. I wanted to finally answer your last letter. You asked me how many friends I have. I have very many friends. Some times I think I have too many. You told me you drink when you are alone sometimes. a lot of people do. You are not alone. There are very many people who do the same thing. And it happens all over the world! Life is hard...I don't care where you live...I don't care what you do for a living...the bottom line is to survive...and we all do what we need to do...I'm a little drunk myself tonight so I'm going to say good night for now...I love my new computer...more later...Sandy

July 3rd, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee. I have a web site for you: www.fairslouis.com. On it you will see our Independence Day celebrations for the next days. If you have the right programs you can see the fireworks displays we have at night live.. I can't wait to try it. I'll write more later. Hope you are well. Sandy.

July 6th, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee

Go to :www.shookman.com. Click on enter...click on pictures...click on nightlife...on the second page upper right hand corner is a group shot of me and my father and some customers taken at our bar and put on the web.. I'm on the right. going left is my dad, Danny-Girl, Jim and in front  is a friend of my dad's frank...Thought you'd like to see Sandrina

July 4th, 2000

Hello, again Mr. Lee. I am on your web site. It is beautiful! I love the music. There is much for me to look at. I can't read your language but I like looking at new things. Talk to you later...Sandy

July 4th, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee. I got an email from you today but there was nothing in it. I did really enjoy some of the music on your web site. when I learn how to use this computer a little better maybe we can talk to each other. It will take me a while, though. This is my first computer. It knows a lot more than I do right now!. Ha! I haven't studied this much since school! I have an iMac DVD computer. Eventually I will learn how to use it as a phone and answering machine. It plays movies and music, too. It is just amazing to me. I was very busy at work Friday and Saturday nights with it being a holiday here.  Everyone was in a big drinking mood. I had quite a few myself! I had a pretty good hangover Sunday! Ha! You play, you pay!
A friend of mine is coming over later to see my computer. He has an older one and is thinking of buying one like mine so he wants to see it. How is your business doing? How are you doing? I hope you are well. Yours, Sandy
 

July 6th, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee

Go to :www.shookman.com Click on "enter". Click on pictures...Click on nightlife. On the second page upper right hand corner is a group shot of me and my father and some customers taken at our bar and put on the web. I'm on the right, going left is my dad, Dany-girl, Jim, and in front is a friend of my dad's Frank. Thought you'd like to see. Sardina.

July 10, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee

I received an email from you but there was nothing in it! Ha! I guess it got lost in cyberspace. Are you well? I hope so. Write me again when you have time.... Sandy.

July 10, 2000

Good morning Mr. Lee
I don't know what's wrong, but I still didn't receive any text with your last letter. I know we are having big solar flairs affecting us in July. Could that be it? You are not drinking Korean burbon again are you? Ha! Just a joke. It has been very hot here the last few days. It's been close to 100 degrees here with no relief in sight until the end of the week. Other than that nothing new to report! Ha! I'm hooking up my printer and scanner this week. I'm also going to activate all the audio and telephone programs I have. Then next week I'm going to order a camera. I may be able to talk to you soon over my computer! I'll write more later. I have a chiropractor appointment this morning before I go to work so I have to get going... Yours, Sandy

July 19, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee..

  I am back on line! My computer was down for a few days but I'm back now! My power button got stuck and my computer would not turn on. I haven't received anything from you in a while, it seems, was there something wring with your computer that I was receiving no texts with your letters or was it me? I still haven't got my printer working correctly. Sometimes I feel like I bit off more than I can chew with this computer. I'm not giving up though! I keep telling myself "it's only a machine, it's only a machine". but what a complicated machine it is. There are so many different ways to do one thing..I think that's where I'm getting confused. My brother has been helping me and he has had a computer for 5 years. He moves so fast that I get lost sometimes. The book I have is set up for beginners and my brother set up my computer for people who actually know what they are doing! Ha! I am not one of them yet. He came over today and got it set up for beginners so I can learn from my book at my own pace without bothering him all the time. It will work out better for both of us that way.,
  The heat here is giving us a break finally. Out hottest month is August and it will be here soon. How about you? Is it still really hot there? What have you been doing lately? I have had an attack of the blues but they are gone now. I have been learning my computer and trying to keep busy.  I find myself getting restless and anxious. I remember in your last email that I received you spoke of reading the christian bible. Are you still doing that? I have  several translations, myself. It is an amazing book but I try to keep in mind that it was written by men during harsh political times. That situation sometimes causes men to alter events to promote their point view. Especially European men, I think they still believe the sun revolves around them. European religions are very egocentric and they tend to put themselves above nature and the forces in the universe which God also created. They just ignore Eastern religions and dismiss them. Our doctor here are just now admitting that acupuncture has its place in the treatment of illnesses. I have known that for a quite few years now. I think it is better to keep an open mind on all things. That is how you learn. I believe there is good and bad in everything. Yin and Yang!(Did I spell that right?) I'm going to say good-bye for now. Write me when you have a chance. I'll be looking for your letter.

Yours, Sandy

July 19, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee

I received your email a few minutes ago. I am sure now it was on my end. My brother had deactivated my "Java program". He thought I didn't need it. I asked him to reactivate it this afternoon. It seems now all is well.

Waiting your reply..

Sandy

July 20, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee..

  Here are some websites you might enjoy:

www.nationalgeigraphic.com
www.animalplanet.com
www.african.com

Enjoy! Sandy

July 20, 2000

Hello, again, Mr. Lee!

  I have just installed my firewall and it took all of 2 seconds! I was amazed! It went so fast. I have some extra time so I thought I write more while I have the time.
  How do I get into your penpal site on your website? I can't read the directions and when I click on "penpal" I get a log in place but I don't know how to register. Can you help me?
  I just reread your letter from this morning. You sound like you are going through some bad times. I am sorry for that. I don't believe in a God that punished people anymore. I used to but my beliefs have changed over the years. I am not saying you are wrong for anything you believe in. I respect all beliefs and everyone's right to have their own. It is a personal thing that none of us should judge. There is enough misjudging going on in the world. We have some people in this country who are trying to reunite government and religion thru the political system to make laws that concern their beliefs and no one else's. That is wrong. They want to put their morals into law for us all to obey. I want to choose my own moral code to live by. well, we can talk of such serious things later if you'd like.. You see, I grew up very Italian and very Catholic. Right there is a conflict. My grandfather was a fence(he dealed in some  stolen goods over the years at the other  bar we had.) He was a wonderful man who never hurt anyone. He was just working the system and trying to support his family the best he could. I remember phone calls when I was a little girl for my dad to have to go down to jail to bail my grandpa out! Ha! Such is life!
  Well, good-bye for now, I won't write you again today! Ha! Let me know how you are and don't let the heat get you down. It can make me depressed sometimes. I am a winter person... Yours Sandy.

July 21, 2000

Hello, Mr. Lee.
Did you get my last email? I have been having some computer problems. I need to know if my emails are going out.  Thanks...Sandy