I've Caught Yellow Fever

But not in the naughty way (which is relatively unfortunate). Last Monday, I started feeling pressure in my ears, developed a runny nose, and had a sore throat. Things went down from there, as I was taken to the hospital by my co-teacher on Wednesday. Now that may sound serious, but a "hospital" here translates into the doctor's office. It was essentially the same as me seeing my GP back home, except the doctor had that thing on his head that you only see in 1950s cartoons (I'm not sure what it is, but it's circular...and weird). My impressions of the Korean health care system are pretty positive, and that's especially relative to the system we have back in the US. Forget the liberal vs. conservative, single-payer vs. "free-market", and decency vs. screw 'em mentality arguments for a second. I'm looking only at my experience in a different country.

Each month, I pay about 40,000 won (let's say $35 depending on currency fluctuations) and have a 5,000 (roughly $4) co-pay for the doctor's visit and the necessary prescriptions. Where I come from, that's a deal! The system here seems to include a mix of state and market factors. Everyone is required to have health insurance, and employers pick up about 50% of the tab while employees pick up the other 50%. My guess is its subsidized by the government as well (I'd have to check), because that amounts to roughly $75/mo covering the vast majority of health care costs for individuals. Still, costs in Korea are lower - both nominally (of course) as well as on a per-person expenditure basis - than they are back in the States. People here are healthier, and they live healthier lifestyles. Korean food is - generally speaking - rather healthy, though they put too much salt in the kimchi.

Alright, that's enough on my healthcare rant. Being sick and stuck at home requires me to be reflective, because that's what I do with my free time - I think. A lot. And it's wearing thin on my braincells. I think that's why I'm scatterbrained (ADHD). I think a lot about my station in life, my purpose, teaching as a current and future occupation, possibly taking the LSATs (which I can do in Seoul), and the state of the 49er franchise (could be better, could be worse). One thing I am resolved in doing is to take up meditation. And by meditation, I mean running. A friend of mine is nuts about running and he talked a bit about a "Runner's High", which seems to me to be the equivalent of a meditation. And as I understand it, all practices and forms of meditation - from the Eastern forms we think of so often to the Western ones, including the Meditative Prayer of St. Ignatius - all focus on one thing: the present moment. And I am not someone who has ever been able to reconcile himself to the present moment. I'm always mulling about the future, or reflecting on the past. At the end of the day, though, the past is done and who on God's Green Irish Earth knows what the future will hold?

Oh! I got the internet, tv, and phones installed. I'm able to call the US for about 20 won a minute, which is less than .02...at least I think that is what it is. I spoke with mom last night. It was very good to hear her voice, as well as Buster's meow in the background. I do miss home, but it's amazing how a phone call will make you feel less far away.

Alright I have to sign-off now. I'm going to attempt some light-lifting at the gym in an attempt to recover the figure I once had. These sweet pastry shops all over the place are going to be the end of me.