Papa Was A Rolling (kidney) Stone

Last week, I awoke after feeling uneasy and I couldn't get comfortable. I went to the bathroom and immediately felt sick. I thought I might have eaten some bad tuna kimbab (Chamchi-kimbap) from a local franchise.

I thought I might vomit, as I became nauseous and started breathing heavily. Appendicitis was my initial thought - the pain was almost in the right place for it...but suddenly, the pain shifted and became more extreme - this time in my back.

I've had back pain for awhile now - I even saw a chiropractor/acupunturist about it last spring. This felt totally different. It was if I had just been stabbed in the back. As my mind churned, I developed the answer -- a kidney stone.

My gf and I took an excruciating taxi ride to the local hospital where the nurses and doctors at the ER asked my symptoms and did a urine test. (Thankfully my gf translated everything to me, as their English wasn't that great.) They confirmed the stones, and hooked me up to an IV of 5% Dextrose and some pain killer. As they were putting in the needle the pain reached it's height. I began to shake, my hands and chest went numb, and I began vomitting every 15 minutes for the next hour. I thought I was allergic to the medication - but I was told this was normal for this kind of pain.


In between bouts, they ran me into X-rays twice, and a CT-Scan (uncomfortable!) to confirm the stone and get a more accurate assessment.



Turns out, I only had one itty bitty 3-4mm stone.

Once the pain stopped a few hours later, I felt absolutely fine and they sent me home with some pain relievers, antibiotics, and some other medication that I had no clue about - but had no problem taking.

Saturday and Sunday I felt fine. My gf is a great nurse, and watched over me in more ways than I could have hoped for. I even felt great enough to take a walk to Seoul and see the HiSeoul Festival fireworks - which were pretty darn good.

Sunday night the pain started to act up again, as the stone began moving some more, and at 4am, we were in another taxi rushing to the hospital yet again. Of course being one of the only big (and handsome) white guy's the ER has probably seen that month, they immediately recognized me and set me up with the IV's and whipped out my info on their computers. Sidenote: The nurses and doctors I've had every time I've gone to the hospitals in Korea have been great.

Again, after draining the IV's and a little rest, I left feeling fine. We coulding make an appointment with the urologist on Monday - but waited around until he could see us anyway. We had to wait about an hour, but he showed me my x-rays and CT scan to show me the stone, told me that it was too late to remove it, but it wasn't big enough to do so anyways. Instead, I had to wait for it to pass. (I'm still waiting actually). But I've been told to drink a lot of water, eat regularly, and try to stay active. He did hook me up with some stronger pain medication that I've only taken twice since, as the pain has only been dull this past week from time to time.

Some people recommend drinking a ton of lemon juice to move it along, also, I've heard of a lemon juice and olive oil concoction. Others say beer...but the doctor told me no alcohol or caffeine.

All I know is that I wouldn't wish this pain on anyone. I've never felt pain like that in my life. I can only describe it as possibly feeling pregnant, and feeling stabbed in the back.

Hopefully it will pass soon. I don't like the idea that I could be in that pain again in 10 minutes without any notice.

"Runaround"

Today was a pretty long day. I got to work and sat around and basically did nothing. I am way ahead in my lesson planning, and will probably try to pump out another week or two of lessons based on American Holidays just so I don't have to do them later in the year. It's pretty easy to do a PowerPoint presentation on Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Instead, I spend a whole 30 minutes this morning editing audio and video for YouTube. I found out about a couple of music companies that do movie trailer music. One, X-Ray Dog, and another which is amazing called Two Steps from Hell. There are a few more you can preview on YouTube such as GRV music and some others. (note: I didn't edit the original video, which was done for PBS - I just added the music and did some video cropping.) Hey, it's my first attempt at using Final Cut Express - I have to start somewhere!

Anyways, here is the video I did this morning. The information can be found in the info section. (Lauren please don't let DCI sue me!) - I hope you enjoy!



Later in the afternoon I was supposed to accompany my co-teacher Sarah to the immigration office to apply for my ARC (Alien Registration Card). She came to the office a couple hours before we left to make sure I had all the paperwork. Apparently, I needed to bring my hospital exam test results, but I was told to pick them up after 4pm. Sarah called the hospital so they could have them ready for me within the hour - and they did. (Sorry, I didn't get to see the cute nurses again - just the nerdy male receptionist.)

Around 3:00 Sarah drove me to the immigration office and we sat around for about a half hour even though she made an appointment (I think we were early). I think she thought she would get lost and was frantically trying to get me there on time. By the way - her version of GPS is honking at people after every mile and asking them to point the way. They all just stared at the big white dude in her tiny car.

After my paperwork was done she wanted to drive to her mechanic that was nearby. I wasn't looking forward to this as I know how long it takes to go to mechanics in the States - usually you end up leaving your car overnight and paying hundreds of dollars. She only needed her door handle replaced and we were the only customer, so we were done in a half hour and she only paid 10,000won ($8) - I wish!! In the states that would take an hour and cost you at least $50 just for the labor, the part would cost you another $60 easy.

While we were waiting we watched a televised game of what she translated into "foot and ball" - it was nothing like football. The game is played on a narrower tennis court with a mid-level net, and the teams have to either head or kick a soccer ball over the net. It's basically tennis, soccer, and volleyball all rolled into one.

After the repair she asked me if I wanted a nice dinner of cold noodles (sure, why not?). She said she wanted to walk from her apartment though (about 1/2 mile -- ok, I only am lugging around my backpack with a laptop - but sure, why not). Turns out the place is in downtown Sanbon, so it's close to my apartment at least. On the walk she wanted to discuss her ailments and her knee surgery and why she needed to walk everyday. Then threw in how her knee was better because her reverend prayed for her. Then mentioned "did you get the sermon of Daniel I sent you in an e-mail?" (I hadn't) - good thing I knew which one it was because I felt that she would probably go on to tell me the story. (It was about Daniel and the furnance - I related it to myself and how hot I was in her car which doesn't have A/C).

Dinner was ok. I wouldn't recommend it. It was a soup (surprise surprise) that was served cold with crushed ice on top to make it colder. It had cucumber shavings, chili paste, half a hard-boiled egg, a slice of pear, and some root-based noodle that was chewy and kept choking me. Needless to say, I didn't finish it on the basis of I wanted to live at least another day.


I can see myself at the pearly gates now:
St. Peter: "Hey Nicka, how's it going? So dude, how did you kick the bucket so early?"
Me: "Hey Petey - choked on some Korean noodles that I couldn't swallow."
St. Peter: "Man, that's pretty lame."
Me: "Tell me about it...wanna open those gates bro?"
St. Peter: "Nah, ever since Bush choked on that pretzle a few years back we felt we had to change the ruling on choking deaths."

“Catch My Disease”

It was a beautiful, cool day today. Here is a photo outside my apartment window facing south along the subway line. I love the mountains in the distance, they make me want to live in Colorado. If you click the photo it will enlarge.



Keeping with the directions of the school, I visited the Hospital today. The best part is that it is the building right next to my apartment. As I walked in, I was greeted by three hospital personnel who were bowing to everyone who entered and left saying something in Korean that I probably would translate as “Welcome, we’re going to take good care of you!”

I proceeded to the 3rd floor where a receptionist escorted me to another receptionist who took my information, and my cash (80,000 won - $64). Immediately, I was brought to a gorgeous nurse who gave me a self-administered urine test/vial, she then took my blood pressure, weight, height, gave me an eyesight and hearing test, and then…took blood. Now I’m used to giving blood, and needles don’t scare me at all – it is really painless. What I wasn’t a fan of, was that she didn’t wear gloves for anything. She didn’t touch my urine vial, which I understand – but if you’re taking someone’s blood, I think you really should wear gloves. I told her that as well, but she said you don’t need to in Korea. (I guess Koreans have no diseases in their blood and you can’t transmit it from person to person unlike the rest of the world). My friends over in Brown University’s Department of Public Health would be appalled. I finished up the exam with a chest x-ray from yet another gorgeous nurse (be still my heart) and was told to return Tuesday for the results. On the plus side, I was seen immediately, and the whole thing took about 10 minutes. (Score one for Korean health care!)

***

I had never felt like a celebrity until I walked into Geumjeong Middle School yesterday. Today, that feeling was intensified, and I'm not comfortable with all the attention. Every student wants to stare at you and try to speak English. It gets overwhelming when you're walking out of the school within a herd of bobbing black hair and Korean whispers. I've said 'hello' more times that I can count. The more brave students ask where I am from, and when they hear America, they say "oooh! American, I like American!" A few students asked my name; "Nicka", they repeat (we'll have to work on that). One rather large boy said "Ooooh, Nicka - I love you Nicka" (Sorry buddy, but I'm not Michael Jackson). It's hard to tell because of the language barrier, but I think he may have had special needs.

Keeping on that topic, I know some of you teachers out there were wondering if Korean schools had special needs programs. As far as I know, they don't. I haven't seen anyone that I could stereotype as having Downs Syndrome or any other more visual handicap - maybe they go to special schools? As for the milder cases of special needs, the schools practice inclusion, and the other students apparently really help out the slower kids in a buddy system sort of way. (Let's give all those kids a round of applause!)

Later, I had the opportunity to observe Jordan's class. He does a pretty good job. The students (approx 30) learned about Extreme Sports and were pretty interested in the topic and were participating a lot. The co-teacher in the class (M.J) who speaks very decent English with only a mild accent, watches and helps out with translations as well as classroom management (she carries a rather thick baton - and I don't think it's main purpose is as a pointer). With my celebrity status not yet obtained in his class, as I was introduced, I got a round of applause, the looks of amazement, and the embarrassing yells of "hello teacher!" "so handsome!" and "I love you!" (I now know what attractive women feel like when walking by a construction site back home).

Later during lunch, I got to sit and talk with 3 music teachers, they were already hoping to get me involved in the yearly school performance in October. I'm all up for it, but I hope they don't expect my piano skills to be that great. I think they understood me when I said I play by ear -- at least I hope so.

On a random side note, I wanted to point out a cultural aspect that I think is kind of cute. It is normal in Korea for friends to hold hands. Girls constantly walk around arm in arm. The younger ones hold hands. The boys hold hands as well as if to say "this is my best friend". Something I think is pretty unique. I am surprised it is continued when they are old enough to be in middle school. I know if that were any boys in my middle school he would be taunted endlessly by other boys.

At the end of the day I took a trip to E-Mart yet again. This time in search of garbage bags. We're supposed to purchase specific bags for the downtown area in order to discard anything. After asking around, a kid who spoke a little English told me they didn't sell them (contrary to what everyone else told me). He came back later and said he misunderstood and that you had to buy them from customer service. I bought 10 small ones for about 2,400 won. When I got back to the apartment I separated out all the trash as recycling is huge in Korea. Once I found the dumpster area I wish I hadn't even bothered. It turns out that most people bring down trash by the handful to dump it in sectioned out areas without the bags. What a crock and a waste of time. Although, I did end up buying some more food and some other things I needed for the apartment, so it wasn't a complete waste of time.

“The Impression That I Get”

Today was my first day at Geumjeong Middle School (pronounced Kuhm-Jung). The day starts off at 8:30am, so I get to leave my apartment at about 8:10 in order to make it to my classes on time. Far better than my 2 hour round trip commute to Providence everyday. There is basically six, 45 min periods - except Wednesdays when there are seven. (less classes, but you get time to work on lesson plans at the end of the day).

I won’t be really teaching until next week. Today was simply a “get to see the school, but sit at my cubicle all day and peruse the Internet” day. I’m not complaining.

Here are some of my first impressions: (in COLOR!)

1. I’m going to get some good exercise. The school is located up a hill (not a large incline, but enough to make you sweat. Also, because it’s so humid here, I’m sure the Korean students I passed by were probably saying “Hey look at the white guy who looks like he just stepped out of a shower in his clothes”.

2. There are no school buses. When I approached the school, there was quite literally a hoard of students mimicking cattle, parading up the driveway, and only coming from the opposite direction as I. A lone teacher (I think I’ll name him Russell because he’s like a cowboy rustling the cattle) stood at the entrance greeting students and made sure they were behaving.

3. The students are entertained by me. Every time I pass one they say “hi!” just to hear you talk. When it comes down to it, they are as goofy as any other middle school kids I have met – curious, silly, and rambunctious.

4. The school is LOUD. I’ve worked in many schools before, but this is by far the loudest. In between classes there seems to be little supervision and kids run around screaming, playing, pushing, etc. If this happened in most schools in CT, there would certainly be a detention.

5. I like the school bell. It rings once to signal the end of class (more like a tone), then when the class is supposed to begin it plays a chipper little tune, I'll record it some day so you can hear it.

6. There are not separate lunch periods, nor is there really a cafeteria. At least from what I know so far, the cafeteria is for teachers and is about the size of a large classroom in the States. You pick up a metal tray, chopsticks, a spoon, and serve whatever sides you would like. It costs $2. It's cheaper than bringing a lunch and was pretty darn good. I need to remember to bring a water bottle because they give you only a small drink (if I dare to even call it that). It’s labeled MBP “milk based peptide” and tastes like flavored jello/yogurt/milk. I love it, but it’s too bad it only comes in about the size of a shot glass at the school (Koreans have tons of milk drinks - just not cheese). I wonder if their bottled water is called LHOM? (liquid hydrogen oxygen molecules)? As for the students, they cart in their meals for each classroom that they pick up in the cafeteria. Students eat in their homerooms – something you may only see in lower grades or in parochial elementary schools back home.

7. The textbook sucks. Really…it’s bad. It follows a CD, which I might copy and maybe even use, but for the most part it uses pictures and follows no real structure. Apparently, I can just make up my lessons and try to use key concepts and themes from the text.

8. The teachers are super nice. They’re all really great, smiling, introducing themselves. Like most primary schools in the States they are mostly women. I already find some of them to have similar qualities to teachers from back home. There is a Natalie and Sandra look-a-likes so far (miss you guys), and I could hear the music teacher singing down the hall - she sounds like Mrs. T, but I doubt there is a resemblance besides the dark hair!

9. Yes, they practice corporal punishment and whack the kids. Within the first 2 minutes of sitting at my office desk (there are staff rooms on every floor for the teachers), a teacher came in, grabbing a girl by the arm, whacked her fairly hard, and threw her onto her knees. I wasn’t sure if it was an issue with her skirt length (they wear uniforms) or if it was part of the punishment. Later in the day, 3 boys were being yelled at (one with an ice pack on his eye) and I guess were told to stand against a wall, later the teacher had them sit on their knees. (to think about what they had done? Maybe they hit the boy in the face, maybe a teacher did—I don’t know). I figure it is best not to judge the culture; apparently this system has and does work. According to Jordan the kids actually think it is a good system because they think it really is the only way to get them to behave. No, I don’t intend on using it – I work with peer pressure to get the kids to behave. If one makes a mistake the rest suffer! (insert sinister laugh here).

10. They clean – a lot. On a rotating basis, students are assigned duties. They mop or sweep floors before and after school, serve the lunches on the carts, and at the end of the day clean the classrooms and teacher rooms. I feel a bit awkward having an eighth grader come in to my office, mop my floor, wipe down my desk, and straighten up my books. On the other hand, it’s a good way to say hi to the kids. I just hope they don’t expect a tip!

Our head teacher Kimberly told me that I’m only going to be teaching Monday through Thursday at the school, then on Fridays I’m supposedly going to be ‘teaching’ at the Education Office (basically, the Board of Ed building). What I’m doing there nobody knows, but I have to fulfill another 2 hours of teaching on Fridays. Rumor has it I might be teaching a web/broadcast based English lesson to other schools? I have no clue. But if that is the case it will suck because you aren’t really interacting with students – just spitting out information and worksheets through a computer. I could have done that from the States. On the plus side, the office is closer than the school and there is no hill to walk up.

Tomorrow I’m heading to the Hospital across the street for my physical (80,000won!) bummer. But once the results come in negative for H1N1 I can apply for the alien registration card. Then once that is approved, I can get a bank account. It’s going to take at least a month. Good thing I brought cash!

Since I don't have classes on Fridays at the school, and this Friday I am not supposed to go to the Education Office, I thought I was going to get the day off! (Nope!) Instead, I'm going to the office to 'work'. Also known as surf the net, watch videos, and maybe try to crank out a PowerPoint presentation for the kiddies. (I already made one today and began working on another already).

A quick side note: I got my iron/ironing board, and fan last night. Still waiting on my comforter that was supposed to be delivered last week. Instead of using the electricity of the A/C I slept with the fan on. Unlike the urban legend states, I'm still alive -- even in Korea. (click this link to find out more)