Grateful

Ahhh, part of what I love about being in an uncomfortable situation is the process of letting go and trusting that things will work out, because they usually do once you let go...

Recently I went to Chungnam National University Hospital for a doctor's appointment. I had just spent an hour or so in one building trying to get answers as to what blood tests they were running on me, and trying to get reimbursed for an appointment I had apparently paid for without knowing it. (Our amazing Korean translator as school is the one who informed me about this; thank you!) I was tired and felt frustrated at not knowing the language. All I knew was that the nurse had led me outside, and pointed across the parking lot, indicating for me to go into another building (of the same hospital), and to show the paper she'd given me to whomever if I needed help. The paper of course was all in Korean

So I did. The first Korean I showed the paper to put me in the right direction. The second, a staff person, walked me to the correct registration desk. The third staff member said "6" in English so the next desk was easy to find. Finally, I saw a doctor who actually took time to LISTEN to me, and ask me questions! 

When it came time to make a follow-up appointment, the nurse found an interpreter. She- the nurse- indicated for me to wait, that an interpreter was coming, by showing me the English for the Korean word she'd just looked up on her smart phone. I'm grateful for smart phones! 

The interpreter was very helpful; she was the one who helped me the last time I was there! However, the interpreter had to leave before I was done gathering information. "Dangit! Now what?!?" I thought.

What do you know but a T'ai Chi class was taking place right there in the middle of the empty hospital floor (empty because it was now after 6pm). A woman helping out with the class came over to meet and the receptionists and nurse who were speaking Korean to me. The T'ai Chi woman spoke English- yay! She acted as my last interpreter, and even gave me her name and number should I have future problems! Wow! Koreans never cease to help or amaze me!