Wir sind nach dem Krankenhaus Zurückkehren.

I am going to attempt to create a blog post that does not make any mention of a certain martial art or it's instructor.

...might be kind of hard, because there isn't much else going on in my life these days!

Anyway, everything continues to go well here. Actually there was a bit of excitement when, on Tuesday morning, my director informed me that I would have to go back to the hospital on Wednesday. I said, half in jest, why, is there something wrong with me? And she said yes, there is a problem with your chest x-ray.
So I was a bit taken aback. First, there was the fact that my boss seemed to know about the specifics of my medical test results. This would never happen in the states. I remembered at that moment that I had heard that medical information is not private here, and this confirmed the fact.
Secondly, I was slightly alarmed. What could possibly be wrong with my chest x-ray? They only do this to check for active TB. And I was fairly confident that I did NOT have tuberculosis. But then, what could it be? I was just at the doctor last January so was also fairly confident everything else was ok..but what the hell?
Finally I was concerned also because, would they tell me I failed the health check and was going to be deported? I'm not ready to leave! I love it here! And there is still so much for me to see, do, and learn!
The fact that my director doesn't seem to have a real high fluency level in English didn't help...yes, she can speak English pretty well but every time I talk to her I feel like some meaning or key idea was not properly conveyed.

So anyway the next morning, Wednesday, at 9:30, she called up for me and her son Hanni (6 yrs old) to come down and she would take us to the hospital. I was surprised that Hanni was coming too, but whatever. So Hanni and I got in the elevator and went down to her car and we drove to the hospital. When we got there we went to the area where I had gone the first time. We checked in and were told to go down to another area to wait. So we went down and were told to wait for the doctor. So we did. And this whole time i'm wondering what the hell to expect? And she never said a word, just kind of teased me for looking worried. And I said, well, I'm in a hospital in a foreign country where I don't speak the language, and apparently something is wrong with me but I have no idea what. Can you tell me what we are doing right now? And she just said, we're waiting for the doctor. So I asked, what will he do? And she said, maybe give you an exam.

So then they called my name and we all went in to the doctor's office. So right away I figured, well, it can't be a breast exam because Hanni is here too. I assume. ...right?
Anyway i sat down and the doctor showed me my x-ray and pointed to my lungs and heart. Then he brought up a chart with my blood and urine test results. He went over it with me. Everything was normal. Except the enzymes which illustrate my liver function were slightly elevated...49 versus the desired 40. So this is a little high but still in the normal range.

...that was it.

Then the director spoke to him about a problem Hanni has. Then we left. I was still kind of confused...was that really it? Just a slight problem with my liver? Why take me back to the hospital and freak me out just for that??

But apparently that was the only reason. Tonight she called me and had me bring her our passports because she's taking them to the embassy tomorrow for our ARC card. I was a bit apprehensive to give it up but I think that it will be fine. My head teacher was there and said that's the normal procedure so I guess I'll have to trust them. But anyway apparently I passed the health check, so all's well.
Tuesday night I did some research and it looks like the only reason you'd be denied would be if you had HIV, syphallus, or TB. None of which I have.

So my point is, there was a bit of confusion and excitement this week but I think all is well now and I will be getting my alien registration card soon. Once I have that then I'll be officially legal.

There's not a whole lot else to say really. I don't tend to do a whole lot during the week except work and TKD. Tomorrow night the Janggi Foreigners are going out together, and Saturday I may go to an event at the Dojang..all the students are performing for their parents. Tonight they asked again if I would go, and I said only if I can watch (previously they had told us that we can only go if we perform too. I'm not down with that). So they told me tonight that I can just come and enjoy. So perhaps I will. Hannah may not be able to go but maybe i'll go anyway. It would be fun to watch some of my students doing their taekwondo.
Then Sunday is my Korean class. And maybe somewhere in there I'll find something else exciting to do. Although really, every day is a new adventure!

Sorry, I couldn't help but mention a little bit of TKD. It's such a big part of my life here, I have to say something. But at least I didn't name any names.

Oh, sorry, I saw that some of you can't read the Korean characters I put in my posts. I think you have to download the reader. I'm not really sure how that works. you'll probably see the squares again because I like typing in Korean!
The last blog entry title was, roughly Anglicized, ho-ah jong sheel audi eessauyo?
(study that one mom)



.....and His name is Cho-eh chahng bae.