Metamorphosis 2

Lance remembered the last time he saw a penguin.

It was in the high school field trip in 7 years ago. Since that day, Lance have never saw a penguin, or thought about a penguin. Lance remembered penguin to be a cute little bird, but worthless little creature since they cannot even fly.

"What is a point to have a wing, if I cannot even fly?" Lance murmured, looking at his wing.

"Why not an eagle or something cooler!"

Then Lance just realize that he cannot just inside his room forever.

Lance's girlfriend was about to come to pick him up.

He did not want her to come last night, and he prayed to God that he would somehow have an excuse to avoid her. But why penguin, and why today?

"This is not a valid excuse!"

After Lance had a fight with her girlfriend, Lance have always prayed he does not want to see her. In fact, last night prayer was a prayer with the least effort. Furthermore, he was prepared for todays meeting. He even reluctantly picked up his clothes, and ironed it.

Lance looked back at his life. He had the perfect family background. He was popular all through his school. His parents was not a C.E.O of some giant company, but Lance was really wealthy. He have been told he had a perfect life, and he was thankful for it. He was a good looking, nice and a smart student. He just entered Harvard University for his masters degree in Public Health. Lance's future was bright and promising, until he turned to a--penguin.

"Hey, Lance! It is me!"

Lance's girlfriend just came in.

Metamorphosis

It was monday morning when Lance woke up. He woke up extremely warm. He usually woke up late, but he today he could not sleep anymore. He was not sweating all over, but he felt he was covered with something. "It was not a blanket," he remebered he kicked his blanket way before.
"What is going on?" Lance woke up.

His vision was narrower; he felt much smaller; he was extremly hot. He tried to jumped down from the bed, but his feet could not reach the floor. At the moment, he looked at his feet. It was not a humans feet--it was a web.

"What in the world?" He, then, looked at his arms. It was a wing. He was as tall as the bed's leg.
He saw his body, it was black and white. He used his wing and touched his mouth, but there was no such thing. In stead, there was a break. What is he now?

He looked at the window which barely showed him because of his shortness. He was a penguin.

"This is not happening, what kind of dream am I dreaming now?
Penguin, that is so lame to dream about, I would rather get up."

Then, he remebered, he was up. He was not lying down, his blanket was kicked away, and he was looking at the mirror.

"Oh, God, I guess I am very tired," Lance said.

But at the moment, the alarm ran off.
The alarm was as annoying as it was. 8:00 AM.
He could not even press the snooze button. It was way up there.

Lance, annoyned by the alarm clock and his appearance, screamed.

"UAHHHHHHNG"

"UAHHHHHHHHNG"

Gang Nam Severance Medical Service in Veitnam 4

Lea, on the other hand, was a girl, so I had nothing to give her. Honestly, I did not think I was going to give something during the trip. I really hoped that I had something, but hugging was the only thing I could give.
However, after our afternoon service, Lea came to me.
With one of her friend, assumed to be her boyfriend, with a half broken bike. And a fruit in her hand.

She came to me with a big happy smile and handed me the fruit.

The feeling I had was.... ineffable.

I still have the fruit, and I think it will never go away.



We came back to our "SPORT" hotel, and we shared some ideas and thoughts.
I was sad that the only thing I could give out was my watch which I did not intend to give it out.
So, I brought all the cookies that I bought from Korea to share with the kids tomorrow.

Same time, same breakfast, same uniform, we headed to our second destination.

It was less crowded than the day before, which meant that the village had better health service of their own. However, it was by no mean few people. There were at least 150 patients waiting for us. And I recognized there were much more younger people. I saw many teenagers who came here for their health. I saw several severely injured teenagers. I moved more busily. I wanted to be their friends. But at the same time, I did not want them to feel I was patronizing them.

I smiled first, and asked their name first. My Vietnamese improved little bit; sometime I somehow understood what they were telling me.

And more kids!
I was so happy.
Then, I gave out my cookie presents. It was small but they were my favorite cookies from Korea. I called kids by one at the time, and gave one bag of cookies.

They literally jumped across the whole field. They smile, and they brag about their cookies.
I knew and saw many children who liked cookies, but I never saw children who would get that excited for that amount of "cookies."
I know my cousin would not be that excited if I gave that cookie. I know he would just eat it because it is delicious. Also, I know he knows he could eat that cookie any time.

But for them, they might have been starving for days(seriously, I know several people who are on diet, and wasting their food because they are on diet. However, on the other parts of the world, that is even impossible to imagine).
They treated me as if I were a Santa Clause. They said thank you millions of time, eating or saving their cookies and bragging to their moms.


I wished I was that happy.
Then,
I realize that I was having the happiest time in my life in Vietnam.
I realize happiness do not come from any source of money, food, or clothes.

Vietnamese proved me it was obviously something else that created the most beautiful smiles.

So, I dare to promised the land that one day I will come back again.

May be not Vietnam, but a place where love is needed,
may be I could say....where I can find my happiness

Gang Nam Severance Medical Service in Veitnam 3

Lea and Hong,
they followed me every where, but I did not mind a bit.
They smiled at me, and they obviously wanted to play with me.
I did play with them by trying to catch them and scare them.
They LOVED it. They run and laugh.
Hong, even show his all kinds of dance move to me, and he did all kinds of tricks in the harsh cement floor.
I just felt loved with these two children.

I always liked children, and I have baby sit before, but I never saw a more appreciative children than Lea and Hong. They did not complain at any thing, if I was helping with some doctors, they would wait for me until I finish my job. They listened to me, although we could not directly have a conversation. They would follow me, and when I were trying to talk with some old grandmothers, they came with me and fixed my pronunciation. Then, they could understand what I was trying to say (of course, I had no idea what they were saying, although Lea and Hong try their best).

Then I looked closer to these children. They were about first graders or younger.
I remember my self being in St. Louis when I was their age.
I looked back at them.

Their clothes had several holes, the colors were faded, and the it had a power ranger on their shirt. How could they even find Power Ranger T-Shirts these days, that show was over when I was in elementary school. I was sure, it was from the old days...

However, their face were like angles'. They were beautiful, they were happy and they were enjoying.

These children were special, may be not special from the world's leaders' perspective, but they were precious children.

I looked at Hong, and I wanted to be remembered by him.
I was wearing my Nike watch at the time. It was not extremely expensive, but I was wearing it every day since I got it for Cross Country.
I kind of hesitate, but I take off my watch and gave it to Hong.

He became ineffable. He was so surprised and happy. His eyes were bigger than ever, looking at the little big watch for his small wrist.
I showed him the glowing function for the dark time, and I showed him different mode. I called a busy interpreter, and through him I thought Hong how to use my watch.

I honestly never saw a person who looked happier. It was nothing big for me, I had that watch for a year and, honestly, I was getting little bored with that watch. But for him, it was different. It was his first watch, and probably his first electric "toy."

I still don't have a watch, and I won't buy it until I really need one. Every time I miss my watch, I wanted to remember Hong and his happy face.

Today, I was running cross country meet, and I wanted to know how fast I was going so badly, but I couldn't. My watch was in Vietnam! I was terribly out of shape, so I was having the worst time in the course, but as soon as I remembered Hong, I could kept running.

I made sure that the watch was a gift,and I asked the interpreter to say "Study Hard and be a leader" Hong said yes, and he promised he would study hard and be a leader.

And I hope that watch will be in his wrist for ever, and I hope he remembers a volunteer who gave him the watch.
And maybe someday, I will get to see him again with the watch. Maybe he is serving other people in other places in the world.

Hong, I love you!

Gang Nam Severance Medical Service in Veitnam 2

After Barely sleeping, I changed my clothes to our uniform, which was the surgeon's clothes with Gang Nam Severanc Hospital Vest. After I wore the big blue surgeon's clothes, I looked liked a doctor, but I did not look like a tourist in any means. Dissapointed with our uniform, I went down for breakfast. After having a OK breakfast, our team got on to the bus and we drove to our destination.

At the point I was greeted by Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim was my dad's best friend in his medical school, the top medical school in Korea, and my dad recalled he was very smart and talented. However, after Dr. Kim traveled to South East Asian countries, he felt the need of doctors in those indigent countries. Since then, despite the opposing views from his family and colleagues, he went to Vietnam to serve the Vietnamese. He know opened a free clinc in Hanoi, and he kindly arranged every service prior to our visit.

After an hour and a half drive, we arrived in a village in Hanoi. There were literally hundreds of people waiting for us. I felt I was an idol star, as I walked through the entrance. They were eager to meet us, and some have waited on line for hours. Thanks to the other voulnteers, the place was mostly set up, ready to diagnose. All the doctors found their postion, and we started our first medical service.

It was like 40 degree celsius, 104 F. I had never experienced such hottness before. However, the more frustrating thing was that there were 4 big fans for tha patients and voulunteers.
The place was not a hospital like in US or in Korea. It was a big outdoor empty place with a small building with few rooms. People were waiting out side under a giant tarp, but Vietnam's sun was inevitable. All the doctors had one small fans in their small room, but it was not working properly, and comparing to 24/7 air conditioned diagnosing room in Seoul, this place was .... incredible.

I, then, carefully, looked around. There were grandmothers, grandfathers, women, men and children waiting for the free medical service. More than 200 people showed up for the morning service to get diagnosed by these foreign doctors.

"Forget all the image of vaction! "
I wanted to help these people, people who were no less than us by any means, but just need few helps. For get about the hot weather, I was no greater than these people by any means who am I to complain?

I started to talk with the people in the line. Of course, we spoke different language, and there wer barely a person who could speak English, and nobody could speak Korean. Looking through the basic Vietnamese, I try to start a conversation. (All the intrepertuer were helping the doctors.)

I could not find out much, but I found out all of them were friendly and lovely.

I gave out multi vitamins, and I went from here to there, and started the conversation.
They were so thakful for every little gift. I mean SO thankful.

"Shin Chao!" (Hi)
"Toi Eau Vietnam!" (I love vietnam)

I said random things, and they were laughing, probably with my werid accent and non sens sentence structrue, but we all laugh and smile.

While I was starting my chat, and forgetting about the hot wheather or hungriness,
I saw two little child following me everywhere.
I had not notice till then, but they were following me with the most beautiful smile.
I smiled at their cute faces. They were so adorable little kids!
I went to them and asked their name,
and then I told my name. They were laughing with my accent, but they told their names.

They were Lea and Hong.

The first day, I could not have been happier than ever because of them.

To be Continued....

Gang Nam Severance Medical Service in Veitnam 1

August 11 to August 16, 2009 was the week which I learned and experienced many different things for my life. It was only 5 days, but even now I am still moved and changed after my 5 days in Vietnam .


I headed to Hanoi, Vietnam with 12 other people riding Asiana Airlines, including my dad.
We were the member of 2009 Gangnam Severance Hospital Medical Service Team, headed by my dad, Dr. Kim. 4 doctors, 2 nurses, 1 pharmacist, and 5 other volunteer helper planned for the trip for this 5 day trip for months. The purpose of the journey was to provide free medical service to Vietnamese in Hanoi. When my dad suggested this journey, I immediately thought of Hanoi and Vietnam, Medical Service was not on my mind. Although, I study abroad in the United States, and live far away with my parents in my early age, I have never travel to another country besides the North America continent. Thus, Hanoi, Vietnam was exciting enough to ignore the medical service part. I immediately said yes to my dad.

Since that day, I planned carefully what to where in Vietnam. I knew it was going to be hot, and I planned to bring all my summer clothes in my little bag, until I find out we, including me, had to carry all the medicines. Worrying about my clothes, sunglasses, and my camera, I tired my best to carry as much clothes I could in the limited space with all other various medicines. Sun screen, snacks, and magazines, I was totally prepared for my Vietnam vacation. Everybody who saw my bag would not notice I was a member of a Medical Service team if there were no medicines.

In addition, I met my dad's friend's son who was about my age in the airport. He seemed to be nice and fun, and I thought this vacation could not be better.

However, as I arrived in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, something was going wrong. The air port was the smallest airport I have ever been to (although, my dad he had been to worse air port), and the air pollution was worse than Seoul. Everybody was riding a bike or a scooter, and I could not understand anything.

When I arrived in to the Hotel, it got worse. It seemed the spelling error on the front door saying "SPORT HOTEL" started the inopportune consequences. Shower and the toilet was next to each other without any divider, and room was extremely dark. And as soon as we came to the Hotel, the whole team gathered in our room to check the medicine and rearrange the medicine. My imagination of " I am not a doctor or nurse so I will just chill and tour Vietnam" was broken. I and my new friend walked from here to there delivering and distributing medicine at 1 o'clock in the morning. I was more shocked when I herd I had to get up at 6 o'clock.

Clearly, it was not going to be a vacation. However, still I assured my self by saying " I am not a doctor."

To be Continued...