Pop Chinn Stew. That's what Ken called his circumstantial evidence case he tried in 1983 as a young Deputy DA. I listened as he painted a wonderful word picture of his father putting together various ingredients to make a delicious pot of stew. It's been 30 years but that image of his father making the stew hasn't left my mind. In honor of Ken's dad, Vernon Chinn, we want to make some Chinn Stew of our own. Stop by from time to time and enjoy some Chinn Stew as we share some of our family happenings.

Friday, August 31, 2012

A Trip to the Doctor!


Sat, September 1, 2012 12:51:37 PM
Medical Care in Korea.

Several days ago I experienced a painful kidney stone attack.  I knew what it was from similar problems I experienced about 10-12 years ago.  That was in Orange County with lots of insurance.  I was more than a little apprehensive about the quality and cost of medical care in Korea - especially since my Korean insurance wasn't yet available.  Still, I was going to have to get this checked out.  With help from the University, we found a clinic in Pohang that offered specialists in this area of medicine.  One of the professors gave us (Susan along as the supportive wife and interpreter) a lift into town for my first experience with Korean medical care.  The office was a modern as any I'd been to in the US.  Lots of marble, wood and recessed lighting and 3 receptionists to greet us.  The only noticeable differences from medical offices in Orange County was that it seemed nicer and everyone was Korean (as well as the magazines which, oddly enough, have English titles to the articles that are entirely in Korean.)

Susan had called ahead and obtained a next day appointment (eat your hearts out long suffering patients of the US system.)  Within a few minutes I was in to see the Korean doctor who was fluent in English - though he preferred to have Susan interpret to make sure he was clearly understood.  He took a careful history and then sent me off for a long series of x rays from every imaginable angle. Other tests followed including a sonogram administered by the same doctor who explained what he was observing on a screen as I watched.  It took about 2 hours to complete all the procedures and go over the x rays with the doctor.  He had good news in that the stones appeared to be small and should pass relatively easily.  He prescribed some pain medication should I have another attack and had me set up a follow up appointment in 2 weeks.  The total bill came to 125,000 won - a little over $100.  But I wasn't done yet, we still needed to fill the prescription.  The medication came to another $6.20 at the pharmacy.  If the insurance had kicked in, the medical bill would have been about half and the prescription would have been $2.00.  So  far, I am a big fan of the Korean medical system.  The basic care is covered by Korean nationalized insurance (what we will have effective September 1.)  I'm told most Koreans purchase supplemental insurance to cover major medical problems.  Perhaps Romney might want to look into offering Korea care instead of Obama care?

On an unrelated note, the muggy monsoon conditions were blown away by the two typhoons which brought occasional heavy rains, but no damage to our area on the eastern side of the southern end of South Korea.  Today is a beautiful clear day with a nice cool breeze.  I've never lived in a rainy area before.  The Koreans have free umbrella cover dispensers at many of the stores and public buildings.  It sure cuts down on water dripping on the floors.  We are extending our exploration of Pohang and the surrounding areas and are enjoying the free shuttle service offered by the university that runs to a variety of stops every half an hour.  Still, we are continuing to consider the possibility of purchasing a used car to extend our range.  There are so many places we would like to see and visit.  Korea has an extensive public transportation system, but it would still limit our travel somewhat.  Susan refuses to drive over here, but I'm kind of excited about trying my hand at Korean traffic.  It would help if they had street signs -still apparently a rarity in the more rural portions of the country.  They also offer GPS devices that don't seem to be bothered by the lack of street signs.

Finally, I'm introducing baseball to some of the kids here at Handong University.  If you read this and have an old mitt or two you would like to dedicate to the cause, Susan's sister Mary is flying over here on September 10th.  Just drop it by the house and she'll bring it along.

Your Korean correspondent (who is feeling great now with no recurrence of symptoms),

Ken

Sailors for the day!


The Korean Navy has come a long way.  When North Korea first attacked the South in June of 1950, Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) had less than 7,000 men (Navy and Marine combined) and 33 vessels.  This was half or a third of North’s 13,700 men and 110 vessels.  UN Allies (Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, UK, and US) contributed with vessels to bring the war to a close three years later.  Denmark contributed with a hospital vessel.

I'm not sure what the stats are today but for over 20 years, ROKN built its fleet with older warships from the US.  However, desiring to become more self reliant, ROKN started to build the warships locally.  The first locally built ship (a 2,000 ton frigate) launched in 1980.  Their next was Pohang PCC756, a smaller more maneuverable 1,000 ton corvette.  She was launched in 1982, retired on June 30, 2009, and opened to the public in June of 2010.  The kids and I took a field trip yesterday to see this historical vessel.

We saw many fishing boats come in from the day's job. We regret not staying around to see what they caught.




Pohang 756, moored in Pohang


What 756 looked like when she was in service




Mary and Robert shooting down the enemy.
 The Korean Flag.

Daniel and Mary chatting with an old friend.
 Attention!
 Serious about their jobs.

Robert resting on the Captain's bed.


The Captain sleeping on the job.
 Good thing Co-Pilot Robert is on duty.
Captain alerted to dangers ahead.




 Officers Quarters

Kitchen duty for Mary.

Mary giving Robert a haircut in the barber shop.

Mary and Robert giving the Captain a shave.


All three make up one fireman.
 Robert's foot (shoe) got stuck.

 The sleeping quarters for the rest of the crew.

Yes, definitely in fashion!

 Lunch time at McDonalds.

But mom skipped McDonalds for her favorite street food, Ttuck bokki.

 Fish cakes on skewers in seafood broth (shrimp and crabs)








Monday, August 27, 2012

A gift, then another unexpected gift.

Elysabeth came to visit last Thursday.   A sweet gift.  The kids' prayers for two days prior were for home school and the days to go by fast so Sissy can be here soon.  The way they gave her tours of the campus, city and their favorite places, one might think they'd lived here two years instead of two weeks.  It was too short of a visit but with her work and a husband she missed greatly, she left early Saturday morning for her 5 hour bus ride back to Seoul. 

I had over two hours to kill between seeing her off and meeting a group of wives for a Saturday morning fellowship.  Rather than heading back to campus just to turn around and come back, I decided to walk to our meeting place couple of towns over.  That walk turned out to a surprise gift.  It was an amazing experience and may remain one of my favorite experiences in Korea.  I cannot adequately describe my emotions of overwhelming joy and peace as I passed through each neighborhood as they slowly stirred awake even while another neighborhood was bustling with activity and probably had been for some time.  Pictures from my iPhone can't do justice but I hope you can see a little bit of what I saw.


An early morning farmer's market with so many shoppers I could hardly get through.





 A junior high school.  Looks like it could be from any other country, doesn't it?




Rubbery astro turf on the Bukbu Beach boardwalk.



 I wonder what they catch with these baskets?





Folks up early for their jogs, walks and rides to the beach.


 A sculpture of a fisherman.

Difficult to see but it's the Pohang Port in the distance.




I saw a handful of these workers sweeping up the sidewalks and the streets getting it ready for the day's visitors to the beach.

Can you spot a Starbucks, a 7-11 and a McDonalds where I'm to meet the wives?




 Waiting for the ladies.  I wish I remembered to take a shot of the ocean view from this table.  I was so impressed with the mug they gave me that's all I focused on.
The 3 hour visit with the ladies was priceless.  I hope for many more.  The family may agree with me.  They got Big Macs and McNuggets for lunch.  Funny how a place we try to avoid back home is now a special treat here.