1/4/2010; Tuesday Today was the first day at the hospital. We had a meeting with Mr. Cuc; met Liem (PT) and rehab physician. Received tour of hospital and pretty immediately started consulting with patients/PTs. First impressions: family members are the ones predominately administering PT; lots of “rubbing” around for soft tissue release; there was quick trust and eagerness amongst the staff/patients for our input and very open in letting us jump in. Their first, immediate questions are always: What is your name? Where are you from? How old are you? Are you married? And already patients’ family members were trying to play match maker for margot/me with other therapists/patients. One of the patients: 22 y/o very sweet girl, excellent English: Phuong; is dating one of her therapist as if it is no big deal and her ... read more

Margot came up with an excellent analogy today as I continued to struggle trying to understand the dateline thing: a dog chasing its tail Chicago is the tail and Soeul is the head it made more sense to me when she was explaining it. So, we definitely were not prepared for the super freezing temps in Soeul which definitely served as a barrier to really see the city. We made it to Soeul Station after a pleasant hour train ride from the airport (landscape looked like northern lower penninsula michigan: snowy, some hills, bare tress and few houses; oh, except for the terraced tomb stones) and then after befriending a Seattle-native who visits here often (really?) he directed us to Gwanghwamun square/station for some exploration. Basically trying to stay warm won out which meant we perused ... read more

Happy Holidays! I am writing this first blog from my parents' dining room. After spending almost a full week of hanging out and catching up with friends and family, I am now finally getting my final preparations completed to leave tomorrow. I fly out of Detroit tomorrow at 5:40pm. Layover in chicago for 7 hours to pick up my travelling/volunteering buddy, Margot (a great and dear friend). My mom already has said she might have to adopt her. I think because Margot has been doing a much better job at emailing out travel itinerary/info. Then we fly out of Chicago at 1am to Vietnam - oh yeah, with a 13 hr layover on new year's eve day in Korea. We are due to arrive at our destination in Da Nang on Saturday around 4pm. And I ... read more