Life in the ROK
West goes East: The lives and adventures of a Californian couple living in Seoul
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Last days in Seoul
Colleen just finished this painting under the wire. It's the view outside our window on the 24th floor, looking across the Han River. Colleen painted the views from our apartment in LA and our house in Colorado Springs; they are some of my favorite paintings. I love getting a little memory jog everytime I see something like this. Thanks Colleen, great work!
The monsoons started last week. I wore my water shoes and Max wore his so we could stomp in all the puddles outside. When we came back, it was mission complete.
Otherwise Max and Colleen left this afternoon to go to Orcas Island and see MJ and Bruce for a few days. We'll meet up again on July 14th in Los Angeles when the Army finally lets me leave Korea too. In the meantime, cross your fingers the little fat guy up north doesn't try anything funny. Highly doubtful. See you in the US!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Max at the Fish Market
We took Ben and Hiromi to the fish market and they got some great pictures of Max with the octopus and sea cucumbers.
Being a cute read headed little guy in Korea definitely opens people up to Max. Koreans as a culture are very open and loving to kids, but the blue eyes, and curly hair help too;-)
Max liked touching all the sea animals.
Jay let him ride on his shoulders for a while so we could actually get through the whole market and Max waved at all the fish and the fishmongers. These days he waves at everything and everyone...really into saying HI!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
ED Farewell
Saturday was the Emergency Department Hail and Farewell. A pretty good crowd showed up but we are never full strength for parties because there are always people on and post night shift too.
I gave out some awards, for example to CPT (Dr.) Katina Fosen. Max tried to get into the action too.
Awards to MAJ John Godesa and our trusty Ambulance Driver Supervisor, Mr. Yim, who has worked for the hospital since 1969. Before I was born!
And I got an award. A nice little bell, a replica of King Songdok the Great's Divine Bell that was made in 771 and still exists. I thanked Max for all his support and let him have a few words too.
I have learned many things in the last three years in Korea and last two as Chief of the Emergency Department. Maybe most importantly, I learned that respect is an action verb. Sometimes you just have to choose to do it, despite all feelings to the contrary, and have to repeat, repeat, repeat for it to finally take hold. Thank goodness things like that finally get easier after some practice.
Thanks everyone in the ED for all your hard work taking care of our patients everyday, day in and day out.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Carribean Bay
Yesterday we went to Caribbean Bay at Everland Amusement Park. Jay has ALWAYS!!! wanted to go and our friends Hiromi and Ben who are visiting us from the states were excited to catch some fake Korean waves. We liked this sign with the Korean Mikey and Minnie that led us into the park.
Hiromi and Max chillin by the wave pool.
Good times at Caribbean Bay!