Do you know the way to a Korean's heart? Well, I have the secret. Now, it isn't through food, it isn't through flattery or flowery words. It isn't even money, although many young guys would claim otherwise. If you want to make a Korean increasingly happy there is only one way to do it... office supplies.
I'm telling you from a year of experience, the only thing that really works on melting a Korean's heart is a cute pen or new pencil. If you want the students to love you, just let them shred one piece of paper for you and they will be the happiest kid in all of Korea. Mundane activities like punching holes in paper or stapling are like Christmas time for my students. They love it so much.
Crayons, markers, laminated things... these are what the kids really want. Sure, they love their cell phones and mp3 players, but they can't compare with a cool pen.
This is why the students really love me. It isn't my teaching method, my jokes, or even my in-class overacting... it's my wide assortment of strange and goofy pens that I use. Well, whatever works.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sport
Getting your point across to a Korean should be considered for inclusion as an Olympic sport. I say this because it is a herculean effort. Yesterday, when I thought my contract was all set, I made the mistake of trying to find out some information. You see, according to the contract I only get 7 days off in the summer and 7 in the winter. However, this winter I actually received 5 weeks off from school. The school did not see the point in keeping me in the building all by myself. Thank God. I asked my co-teacher if I could expect this same kind of treatment next year. I really want to travel, possibly to Italy, and one week really isn't enough. I was hoping to take a 3 week vacation to Italy, come back and get back in the swing of things before the new semester. She told me that she thinks it would be the same next winter.
Flash forward to today. Well, my co-teacher came up to me looking proud. "I asked the vice principal if you could go to Italy next winter. He said yes. One week." What the hell? So, I re-explained myself and stated that one week really wasn't long enough. She said she gets it... I have my doubts. So, who knows? Certainly not me. I just need to know that there will be sufficient time, so that I can buy a ticket more than a day in advance. Is that too much to ask?
Flash forward to today. Well, my co-teacher came up to me looking proud. "I asked the vice principal if you could go to Italy next winter. He said yes. One week." What the hell? So, I re-explained myself and stated that one week really wasn't long enough. She said she gets it... I have my doubts. So, who knows? Certainly not me. I just need to know that there will be sufficient time, so that I can buy a ticket more than a day in advance. Is that too much to ask?
Welcome To My Hell
Well, I thought that my contract was all settled yesterday, since I signed it. But, this morning they seem to think that I do not qualify for my pay raise. Their immediate reason is that I taught Russian, not English, for one year. I told them that it did not matter, since I have been teaching in public school since 2003. I hope that this puts to rest their snooping for ways to cheat me out of my raise that I was supposed to get in January.
None of this behavior seems to say to me "you're a valued teacher and we're so glad you're going to stay with us for another year." I mean, I'm a team player. I don't make waves here. I am always prepared, and do a good job with each class. The students and other teachers like me. I buy my own office supplies and candy for the students with my own money. I just bought a printer so I could print color things for class with my own money. So, stop nickel and diming me. Between this and the apartment talk of last week, I'm feel really appreciated and welcomed.
Also, my trip to Hong Kong is off. There was some debacle at the travel agent, and they cannot get us plane tickets on the required day. They offered to get us tickets on a flight the next day, but it wouldn't really be worth it. So, I'll spend this time off just relaxing hopefully in my same apartment. Oh well, I'll just use this money to pay off another credit card.
None of this behavior seems to say to me "you're a valued teacher and we're so glad you're going to stay with us for another year." I mean, I'm a team player. I don't make waves here. I am always prepared, and do a good job with each class. The students and other teachers like me. I buy my own office supplies and candy for the students with my own money. I just bought a printer so I could print color things for class with my own money. So, stop nickel and diming me. Between this and the apartment talk of last week, I'm feel really appreciated and welcomed.
Also, my trip to Hong Kong is off. There was some debacle at the travel agent, and they cannot get us plane tickets on the required day. They offered to get us tickets on a flight the next day, but it wouldn't really be worth it. So, I'll spend this time off just relaxing hopefully in my same apartment. Oh well, I'll just use this money to pay off another credit card.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Finally
Well, after months of hemming and hawing and dragging their feet, my school has finally produced my new contract with my raise indicated on it. To have them finally agree to give me my raise is such a great feeling. Of course, their dily-dallying has saved them $1500, but I'm not going to fret about this. I don't want to come off as petty or money grubbing. I'm just going to thank the vice principal and principal and be a good little subsrvient Korean.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Vacation
I am going on a trip! My first vacation since arriving in Korea. At the end of May I will be taking a long weekend, a 4 day trip, to Hong Kong and Macau. I'll be going with some friends for a package kind of trip. I'm pretty excited about it. I already paid my deposit, so it's definitely going to happen. My military friends, Jude, and Victoria are going. I think there's room for one more on the trip for us to get the group rate. Wanna go?
Friday, March 23, 2007
White Devil
Yesteray, on a lark, I brought in some puffed rice snacks for all of the teachers. They look like little rice crispie squares, but they're not gooey and not as sweet. Think of sugar smacks stuck together. Well, they were a big hit. Koreans love that stuff. Today, I brought in 2 bags of oranges for the teachers. Again, I'm a big hit. I just know the teachers are thinking "Oh, that white devil is such a good boy."
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Apartment Woes
Yesterday I was informed by Mr. Yoo that my school is very worried about budget constraints, and that they are considering moving me to a smaller and cheaper apartment. I don't think so. Now, he told me that the average apartment for one person is one "pyong," which is some random Korean unit of measure (which is very small). Well, my apartment is 3 pyong. I countered by saying, "yes, but I'm big." He also informed me that the average apartment is 350,000 won per month, and that mine is 450,000 won per month.
My worries are this. My school will be forced to give me my raise that they have weaseled out of when I renew my contract next month. I think that they want to get me a cheaper apartment to kind of evenout or nullify my raise, i.e. you get a raise but a smaller place. I'm hoping that this isn't the case. It would be a very dirty and underhanded move on their part, and I'm willing to give my school the benefit of the doubt.
So, I have told Mr. Yoo today that I am willing to pay 100,000 won/month to stay in my apartment. So, this should make up the difference. I told him that I REALLY want to stay in my apartment. I have yet to tell him that my apartment was maybe 90% of my reason for staying at my school here, and it was not all about the children.
My worries are this. My school will be forced to give me my raise that they have weaseled out of when I renew my contract next month. I think that they want to get me a cheaper apartment to kind of evenout or nullify my raise, i.e. you get a raise but a smaller place. I'm hoping that this isn't the case. It would be a very dirty and underhanded move on their part, and I'm willing to give my school the benefit of the doubt.
So, I have told Mr. Yoo today that I am willing to pay 100,000 won/month to stay in my apartment. So, this should make up the difference. I told him that I REALLY want to stay in my apartment. I have yet to tell him that my apartment was maybe 90% of my reason for staying at my school here, and it was not all about the children.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Bingo Hell
I'm trying to make some bingo cards for my kids to use their new vocabulary. Easier said than done. The online free bingo card makers are not so user friendly. You have to print one card, then hit "shuffle" to get another card, then print that... so it takes forever. I found a page that would let you print as many as you wanted, so I could get a whole class set of 37 cards in one go... but for some reason it all wouldn't fit on a page, so it was just a waste of paper. So frustrating. I've been working on this for about an hour already, and I'm sick of it.
So Much Beef
Saturday was the day for Voctoria's party at my apartment. My foot was very sore from school, but I spent the majority of my day cleaning my apartment and talking to some friends back home. Victoria came over to cook the food for the party. Now, since this was a St. Patrick's Day party, the menu consisted of corned beef and cabbage, potatos, and carrots. Well, it's a bit more complicated than that. The meat that Victoria got from our friends on the military base was not corned beer, but plain beef brisket. As a result, Victoria had to cure the meat herself, which involved soaking the meat in a salt brine for many days. The meat soaked for 3 days in my fridge, it should have soaked longer, but we didn't have the time.
Anyway, saturday, we had to pull the meat out of the brine and rinse it off, and start cooking it. We are dealing with two large slabs of beef and no counter space. Heavy slabs of meat, giant pots of water... it was an ordeal.
After cooking, the meat had to be pulled out and cut up. This was even harder to do, since I don't really have the utensils for this kind of job. On top of that, from the meat boiling the fat had rendered out and there was grease everywhere in my kitchen. It was a major production to get this meal prepared. All I did was help lift things, since my foot was out of commission. But, in the end, it tasted good, so the word was worth it.
Onto the party. 25 people had been invited, and only 12 showed up. I was really thankful for this, since my place isn't as big as some might think. I think that more than 12 would have been too much for the space. The people that came were all teachers, 3 of them Korean, 1 from South Africa, 1 from Australia, 1 from New Zealand, 1 from Canada, and the rest from the U.S. It was a real international affair. For me, the real bonus of the evening was the green jello salad that Dini brought, which reminded me so much of home. You all know the salad, the one with marshmallows, pineapple, walnuts, and green pistachio pudding (I think). The salad that is served at every church and family function in the U.S. It made me nostalgic.
While this party was great fun, Victoria and I agreed that next time, it would have to be potluck. No one should have to do so much cooking for a party. So, I'm looking forward to the next one... but not too soon, my place still has to recover.
Anyway, saturday, we had to pull the meat out of the brine and rinse it off, and start cooking it. We are dealing with two large slabs of beef and no counter space. Heavy slabs of meat, giant pots of water... it was an ordeal.
After cooking, the meat had to be pulled out and cut up. This was even harder to do, since I don't really have the utensils for this kind of job. On top of that, from the meat boiling the fat had rendered out and there was grease everywhere in my kitchen. It was a major production to get this meal prepared. All I did was help lift things, since my foot was out of commission. But, in the end, it tasted good, so the word was worth it.
Onto the party. 25 people had been invited, and only 12 showed up. I was really thankful for this, since my place isn't as big as some might think. I think that more than 12 would have been too much for the space. The people that came were all teachers, 3 of them Korean, 1 from South Africa, 1 from Australia, 1 from New Zealand, 1 from Canada, and the rest from the U.S. It was a real international affair. For me, the real bonus of the evening was the green jello salad that Dini brought, which reminded me so much of home. You all know the salad, the one with marshmallows, pineapple, walnuts, and green pistachio pudding (I think). The salad that is served at every church and family function in the U.S. It made me nostalgic.
While this party was great fun, Victoria and I agreed that next time, it would have to be potluck. No one should have to do so much cooking for a party. So, I'm looking forward to the next one... but not too soon, my place still has to recover.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
I Don't Want To Complain...
In the last few months I've really made a turn around emotionally and mentally. I mean, it really took me a good 6 months to get over cultural shock/differences. Unless you've been to an Asian country, you don't know from culture shock and cultural differences. There is not one thing that is common between Western and Asian cultures. I mean everything is different from the way the families are structured and who should pay for whom to the subtle differences of power suggested by the size of your name stamp. It's different. I can deal with that now.
This ultimate realization that everything is different, and just to deal with it has led me to becoming a happier and better adjusted person here in Korea. After my nice long winter vacation, I am approaching the new school year here (which starts in March, I don't know why) with a new vigor and positive outlook. I'm creating better prepared and thought through lesson plans, and I'm prepared to follow through on disciplinary threats and consequences. The studetns like me and I am going to get the respect that I deserve here. This has made me feel so much better about my job and my role here in Juksan. When you approach these obstacles from a positive place and a place of understanding, everything falls into place.
Because of this newly found lease on life, I don't like to complain too much. However... yesterday was not a good day for me and here is my chance to vent. I'm in a walking cast/splint type thing. I have plaster under my foot and running up the back of my leg, it is tied to my leg with bandages, and I have a too-small big shoe over the whole thing. The point is, my foot is immobilized. I don't have crutches, but I'm not supposed to go running a marathon either. Well, yesterday I was not giving a ride home as usual. Now that Mr. Yoo is the head English teacher, he has taken it upon himself to work until 10pm each night (I've only gotten a ride home once since this school year began). No other ride was arrainged for me, so I had to walk the mile to the bus stop, down hill, which isn't that easy to do with my leg as it is. It took me 30 minutes to get to the bus stop. When the bus arrived, I got on... there were no seats. Everyone saw my foot all bandaged up, and me limping... no one gave me their seat. I'm standing there, and a woman who is sitting, leans over to examine my injured foot more closely for a few minutes, then she sits back up in her seat and starts to suck on a lollipop. Nice. I fell once when the bus came to a quick stop... still, no one gave me their seat. At the end of all of this I was left with such a disgusted feeling. Disgusted that my co-teacher hadn't tried to arrainge a ride home for me when he knew my foot was injured, disgusted that I had to ride the bus, disgusted that not one person on the bus offered me their seat when they saw my bandaged up leg or when they saw me fall on the bus. I guess that really shows how real the "polite Asian" stereotype is. I'm sure I have more of the same facing me today after school. I'm not looking forward to it.
This ultimate realization that everything is different, and just to deal with it has led me to becoming a happier and better adjusted person here in Korea. After my nice long winter vacation, I am approaching the new school year here (which starts in March, I don't know why) with a new vigor and positive outlook. I'm creating better prepared and thought through lesson plans, and I'm prepared to follow through on disciplinary threats and consequences. The studetns like me and I am going to get the respect that I deserve here. This has made me feel so much better about my job and my role here in Juksan. When you approach these obstacles from a positive place and a place of understanding, everything falls into place.
Because of this newly found lease on life, I don't like to complain too much. However... yesterday was not a good day for me and here is my chance to vent. I'm in a walking cast/splint type thing. I have plaster under my foot and running up the back of my leg, it is tied to my leg with bandages, and I have a too-small big shoe over the whole thing. The point is, my foot is immobilized. I don't have crutches, but I'm not supposed to go running a marathon either. Well, yesterday I was not giving a ride home as usual. Now that Mr. Yoo is the head English teacher, he has taken it upon himself to work until 10pm each night (I've only gotten a ride home once since this school year began). No other ride was arrainged for me, so I had to walk the mile to the bus stop, down hill, which isn't that easy to do with my leg as it is. It took me 30 minutes to get to the bus stop. When the bus arrived, I got on... there were no seats. Everyone saw my foot all bandaged up, and me limping... no one gave me their seat. I'm standing there, and a woman who is sitting, leans over to examine my injured foot more closely for a few minutes, then she sits back up in her seat and starts to suck on a lollipop. Nice. I fell once when the bus came to a quick stop... still, no one gave me their seat. At the end of all of this I was left with such a disgusted feeling. Disgusted that my co-teacher hadn't tried to arrainge a ride home for me when he knew my foot was injured, disgusted that I had to ride the bus, disgusted that not one person on the bus offered me their seat when they saw my bandaged up leg or when they saw me fall on the bus. I guess that really shows how real the "polite Asian" stereotype is. I'm sure I have more of the same facing me today after school. I'm not looking forward to it.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tea Time
We have a coffee machine in the office called 티타임 or "tea time." It dispenses a little dixie cup that is about 1/3 full of bad coffee that comes from some powder. It's disgusting. Well, it's been on the fritz (where does that term come from? probably a racial slur), and today since we have no classes, just tests, two teachers have taken it upon themselves to dismantle, clean, and reassemble this machine. I really don't know what makes them believe that they have the knowledge to do this, but that doesn't seem to be stopping them. The humerous thing is that this Laurel and Hardy routine has been going on for the entire afternoon. There has been lots of dropped parts, hair dryers, and flinging of water in the office. I'm really not sure if this is worth the trouble of fixing, since we have instant coffee too (which is equally bad). Anyway, it's kept me entertained for a while. I'll let you know if they actually fix it in the end of not.
Inconvenient As Hell
Well, I've often said that having a broken leg in Korea would be the worst thing to happen to anyone. This country is 75% mountain, so everywhere you go you are confronted with a formidable hill or a never-ending set of stairs. Also, since everything was built very quickly immediately following the war, there are few elevators, stairs are very steep and uneven... let's just say it's a real obstacle course for the well-abled, let alone the disabled.
That being said, I went to the doc yesterday for a cold. Found out my foot is sprained and I'm now in a cast for 1-2 weeks to immobilize my foot. Now, it's the kind of cast that is more of a splint, just plaster below the foot and going up the back of the leg, so I can remove it for showering and put a sock on to cover my toes. I can't wear my shoes with it, so I have one of those cast shoes. But, the "large" size in Korea is too small for my Western feet, so my toes are hanging off. So, eventhough it isn't that bad, I get to experience what a pain in the backside it is to live in Korea and be injured. Please remember that I live on top of a very big hill and on the third story of a building without an elevator. I have no idea how I'm going to go grocery shopping.
That being said, I went to the doc yesterday for a cold. Found out my foot is sprained and I'm now in a cast for 1-2 weeks to immobilize my foot. Now, it's the kind of cast that is more of a splint, just plaster below the foot and going up the back of the leg, so I can remove it for showering and put a sock on to cover my toes. I can't wear my shoes with it, so I have one of those cast shoes. But, the "large" size in Korea is too small for my Western feet, so my toes are hanging off. So, eventhough it isn't that bad, I get to experience what a pain in the backside it is to live in Korea and be injured. Please remember that I live on top of a very big hill and on the third story of a building without an elevator. I have no idea how I'm going to go grocery shopping.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Cops: Itaewon
Well, I went to Itaewon this weekend to buy some new shoes. When I was there on saturday, there was a great abundance of police men there. They were dressed in riot gear, with shields and everything. They came in buses with bars/grates over the windows. There were cops everywhere. I decided that this wasn't the best place to be. The entrance to the subway had maybe 10 cops standing there. As I went down the stairs and got underground, there were about 30 cops standing guard there. Let me just say that I was quite happy to not be in Itaewon anymore that day.
Why were all the cops out in full force? I have heard that a Korean died in Afghanistan and that the Koreans are pissed off, and that they were expecting protests in Itaewon, since that is where the Muslims are located. I've also heard that it was the last day of some kind of summit that was not so well received. Either way, not a good place to be for that day.
Why were all the cops out in full force? I have heard that a Korean died in Afghanistan and that the Koreans are pissed off, and that they were expecting protests in Itaewon, since that is where the Muslims are located. I've also heard that it was the last day of some kind of summit that was not so well received. Either way, not a good place to be for that day.
Monday, March 05, 2007
How Nice
Well, I finally got my new schedule of classes. The good news is that I have the same number of classes per week, which is 4 less than the maximum the contract allows. The bad news is twofold. First, my very worst behaved and lowest level classes, which I only saw once a week, I now see twice a week. Oh Devil, why do you torment me? Second, instead of 7 periods a day, we now have 8. To accomplish this they have moved our first period from 9:20 to 8:20. Also, to go along with this enlongated day, they have moved our lunch back an hour until after 5th period. I need to bring a snack now to work or I'll go mad with hunger and beat a kid with the "love stick."
Why?
Ok, I don't want to say that Koreans are lacking in common sense... but the evidence is mounting. Why do I come into school to find memos and other things on my desk that are in KOREAN? Do I read and understand Korean? Are they translated into English? No is the answer to both of these. Really, all I need is a co-teacher to fill me in on the important things from teacher meetings and schedule changes, that's all. Anyway, just wondering why they're wasting the paper on me.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Insadong
The other day I met my friend Jude in Itaewon in Seoul. We had a lovely brunch (which is a real rarity in Korea) then we went to Insadong. Now, Insadong is the most historical/touristy part of Seoul. I'd never been, but it was quite a nice place to go. So, here are some nice snap shots of the area. I hope you enjoy.
Here is a street vendor selling little sweet cakes with sweet bean paste inside. They're quite tastey. If you visit, I'll get you some.
We walked around this strange little mall. The whole thing was one giant ramp that went around and around, up several stories. The shops all sold artsy handi-crafts and boutique stuff. Nothing I'd buy, but it was fun to look around. They also had lots of Korean hanbok (traditional dress) hanging up in the court yard. So, here's some shots of that.
Here's a strange sign that was in the mall. What does this mean exactly? I love it when Koreans try to get creative with English and it just doesn't come off quite right.
Now is the year of the pig. Well, here's a calendar that was on sale. It was a bit pricey, otherwise I would have bought it. I love the catch phrase of the calendar, "the friendly fatty of the Korean subconscious."
Now, lastly, in Insadong I bought a "love stick." That is the Korean name for it. It's a bambook stick that is for hitting children and students. Isn't that precious? On it is burned the phrase "I love you so I hit you" in Korean. 
Here is a guy pounding on rice to make rice cake. Now, these cakes all look nice, but the taste ranges from nothing to God awful. Well, enjoy.
Here's a strange sign that was in the mall. What does this mean exactly? I love it when Koreans try to get creative with English and it just doesn't come off quite right.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
One Night Only
Well, after the first day of the new school year, we all went out to dinner to welcome the new teachers. Thankfully, we went to my favorite restaurant in Korea. It's a Korean barbeque that serves duck. Oh, I love duck, it's so good. The unnerving thing however is that raw duck and duck that is done looks a bit too similar. So, when the principal starts eating, I tend to wait a bit to make sure that the meat is cooked. With my stomach I don't need to chance it with some undercooked water fowl.
Well, after the dinner I was taken to the noraebang. Now, this was my first trip to the noraebang, which is Korean for "singing room." It's Korean karaoke. Well, I didn't really want to go, but I was kind of forced to go. Well, let me describe it for you. The building has several rooms in it. Each room is the size of a living room. A couple of couches, one wall has about 9 tv screens on it. There are disco balls, and black lights, and black light stars and planets. There are loud speakers and two of the worst microphones ever.
There is nothing that can compare with middle aged Koreans who are slightly tipsy singing loudly in such a confined place. They tried to make me sing, but I wouldn't do it. The vice principal also was a bit inebriated. He told me I was a good teacher, and asked me to stay another year. Then he hugged me and told me we were brothers. It was a strange evening to say the least.
Well, after the dinner I was taken to the noraebang. Now, this was my first trip to the noraebang, which is Korean for "singing room." It's Korean karaoke. Well, I didn't really want to go, but I was kind of forced to go. Well, let me describe it for you. The building has several rooms in it. Each room is the size of a living room. A couple of couches, one wall has about 9 tv screens on it. There are disco balls, and black lights, and black light stars and planets. There are loud speakers and two of the worst microphones ever.
There is nothing that can compare with middle aged Koreans who are slightly tipsy singing loudly in such a confined place. They tried to make me sing, but I wouldn't do it. The vice principal also was a bit inebriated. He told me I was a good teacher, and asked me to stay another year. Then he hugged me and told me we were brothers. It was a strange evening to say the least.
Friday, March 02, 2007
First Day of School
Today, Friday (why Friday I have no idea) is the first day of the new school year in Korea. Who makes up this calander, I have no idea. Anyway, everyone's first day back.
I have 2 new co-teachers whom I met for the first time today. I had to go up and introduce myself. You know, if I were a Korean English teacher, and there were a giant fat white guy in the office, I'd assume he was my English co-teacher (I mean, I'm not the history teacher or Korean language teacher) and I would introduce myself. Not so here. We'll chalk that one up to yet more "cultural difference." They seem nice. Not sure of their English abilities yet. One of them, Ms. Park, this is her first job teaching. Actually, Victoria interviewed her for the province office, so she must speak fairly well.
All of the teachers have been moved in the office. As a result, I am now in a little Korean-only zone. There are no speakers of English around me. All of the English teachers are on the other side of the room. Why I wasn't moved there too is a mystery to me. I guess I will be forced to learn a bit more Korean.
We had an opening/introduction ceremony today. Each teacher was introduced to the students. Let me just say, and I'm not bragging or anything, that the kids erupted in applause and shouting when I was introduced. They love me more than any other teacher. That's nice. If only that translated into wanting to be a good English studnet. Oh well, at least I know I'm loved.
I have 2 new co-teachers whom I met for the first time today. I had to go up and introduce myself. You know, if I were a Korean English teacher, and there were a giant fat white guy in the office, I'd assume he was my English co-teacher (I mean, I'm not the history teacher or Korean language teacher) and I would introduce myself. Not so here. We'll chalk that one up to yet more "cultural difference." They seem nice. Not sure of their English abilities yet. One of them, Ms. Park, this is her first job teaching. Actually, Victoria interviewed her for the province office, so she must speak fairly well.
All of the teachers have been moved in the office. As a result, I am now in a little Korean-only zone. There are no speakers of English around me. All of the English teachers are on the other side of the room. Why I wasn't moved there too is a mystery to me. I guess I will be forced to learn a bit more Korean.
We had an opening/introduction ceremony today. Each teacher was introduced to the students. Let me just say, and I'm not bragging or anything, that the kids erupted in applause and shouting when I was introduced. They love me more than any other teacher. That's nice. If only that translated into wanting to be a good English studnet. Oh well, at least I know I'm loved.
Results
Well, I went to get the results of my sleep study. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea, which is exactly what I thought I had. For those of you who do not know, sleep apnea is when the soft tissue of your throat collapses when you sleep, stopping your breathing. Your brain wakes you up out of sleep so that you can resume breathing. This means that you never reach that deep sleep that is restorative and helpful, so I'm always tired. This can happen hundreds of time in a night.
Anyway, I need to get a CPAP machine, which is what I expected. However, the hospital does not have the capacity to set up a CPAP for me with the proper pressure. This is usually done the same time as a sleep study. As a result I need to go to Samsung Hospital in Seoul (the number one hospital in the country) and have ANOTHER sleep study.
People, I am so freaking mad. The university hospital knew that I was seeking a CPAP, why would they let me spend $400 on a sleep study there that wouldn't result in treatment for my problem? I have to spend another $400 out of pocket to get treatment, plus the cost of a CPAP. If the hospital had just told me, "Oh, we can't test for that" then I would have gone somewhere else and wouldn't have to spend another sleepless night in a hospital and spend another $400. I'm pissed.
Anyway, I need to get a CPAP machine, which is what I expected. However, the hospital does not have the capacity to set up a CPAP for me with the proper pressure. This is usually done the same time as a sleep study. As a result I need to go to Samsung Hospital in Seoul (the number one hospital in the country) and have ANOTHER sleep study.
People, I am so freaking mad. The university hospital knew that I was seeking a CPAP, why would they let me spend $400 on a sleep study there that wouldn't result in treatment for my problem? I have to spend another $400 out of pocket to get treatment, plus the cost of a CPAP. If the hospital had just told me, "Oh, we can't test for that" then I would have gone somewhere else and wouldn't have to spend another sleepless night in a hospital and spend another $400. I'm pissed.
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