A Least Once A Year...

'Twas the day before Christmas
And all through the Post,
Came patient after patient
To visit their DENTAC host.

With a peek at the x-ray
And a look in the mouth;
Such silly, young soldiers
With teeth going South.

So a pinch and a poke
And a bit of x-y-l-o-caine,
Plus a snort of ol’ nitrous
To boost their octane--

Crafting fillings for some
And extractions for others;
Such silly, young soldiers
Never listen to mothers.

'Tis a short dental poem
Plus a moral beside:
Using floss and toothpaste
Keep OCONUS dentists... state-side!

Merry Christmas!!

Are Ya Gonna Go My Way...

The Seoul Metropolitan Subway is one of the most heavily used transit systems in the world. Its ten lines carry 8 million passengers daily. The system is operated by three corporations: Seoul Metro 서울메트로, Korail 코레일, and Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation 서울특별시도시철도공사 (SMRT).

Despite its complexity the "Metro" is quite easy to use since all signs are written in Korean and English, and each station has a nifty number identifier. Using those cool T-Money cards will get you zipping around Seoul cash- & worry-free. And if you're gonna go my way... take Line #1 and hop off at Bosan Station. See ya soon!

Seoul Food du Jour...

About a block from Yongsan Station on the way to Samgaki is this little food vendor making toasted sandwiches--12 variations and nothing more!

The luncheon meat, double fried egg, shredded cabbage, cheese with secret sauce (ketchup/tonkatsu-like) variety was on the docket today. Eaten on the run (wrapped in a nifty paper towel/cardboard holder) or inside at their single table dining area, it offers a taste combination that is surprisingly good. And at 2,600 Korean Won ($1.85) it's not too bad.

Bowl Championship Series...

The Family Bracket Award is up for grabs again as the 2008 BCS Bowl games begin soon. Just six winners and one spread does it! This year is truly an international event with voting from Brazil and Korea.

To start things off, our official bracket buster is: The Las Vegas Bowl. That happens to be our alma mater, #16 BYU (12-2) taking on Arizona (7-5) starting at 5 am Sunday, December 21st (KST).

January 1st brings the Rose Bowl with #5 USC (11-1) vs. #8 Penn State (11-1) plus the Orange Bowl has #12 Cincinnati (11-2) vs. #19 Virginia Tech (9-4). The Sugar Bowl on January 2nd is #4 Alabama (12-1) vs. #6 Utah (12-0). The Fiesta Bowl is on January 5th featuring #3 Texas (11-1) vs. #10 Ohio State (10-2). And the big one, the BCS Championship on Jan 8th will have #1 Oklahoma (12-1) vs. #2 Florida (12-1).

JRT

Holiday Spirit inside the Wire...

The USAG-Casey's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and unit Christmas tree decorating contest was last week. The Garrison Commander, LTC Donald Meisler and area children lit the tree. Santa made a timely arrival by fire truck and handed out goodies to kids--of all ages!

What Army ceremony would be complete without a few comments from Command leaders... festive and brief!

Santa lead the group to the Activity Center for photos and Christmas cookies. The music and song at the ceremony was provided but the 2nd Infantry Division Warrior Band.

Caveat Emptor...

Just outside Gate #1 sits the infamous DVD vendor hawking cut-rate movies to passing GIs. It seems as soon as the studios put 'em out, they're wrapped in cellophane and sold on every street corner in Korea--the land of the eternal black market.

Warner Brothers believes they have a method to this madness: Sell movies online before they go to DVD. "Korea used to be a very robust video market but we have been hit very hard by piracy," WB exec Kevin Tsujihara.

The WB is hoping that folks will want to download the flicks as soon as they become available and cut out the "market." But I think most Koreans and GIs will say, "I'll just wait until it shows up at Gate #1!" And a $4 a pop... it's a steal, literally.

Life on the FOB...

After almost five months, I can safely say that life in the bachelor officer's quarters (BOQ) isn't too bad. It's like a college dorm without resident assistants. The buildings are very quiet, the halls are a bit dark and mysterious and on a very rare occasion you might pass a neighbor. Senior officers live in single quarters whereas junior officers and enlisted personnel have separate quarters and roommates.

Each BOQ has a lounge with pool tables, foosball, a kitchen, and projection TVs. Sometimes there are vending machines and DSN (military) telephones. Each floor has a laundry with free washers and dryers. At the BOQ, utilities are free, and storage is available on site.

Back in the day, officers serving in Korea billeted in squad tents with potbelly stoves--MASH-style. A little later they quartered in quonset huts and a few are still around. So with winter coming up, I feel pretty lucky to be where I am!

The More Things Change...

Being the oldest and closest base to North Korea lends a bit of notoriety to Camp Casey. From the days when military enclaves dotted the DMZ to today's phased reduction of ground troops--there's a spirit of the Old West here, ala John Ford: Where Captain Kirby York and his men still patrol the badlands to deter aggression and defend the Fort at all costs.

The withdrawl of USFK troops and bases in the northern regions of the Republic of Korea has led to a concentration of activity at Casey. Correspondingly, our patient loads have increased as have the number of doctors and clinic resources. The desire to extend tours with incentives for family sponsorship, housing and benefits is underway. What was once labeled a "hardship tour" for doctors is now being touted as a "tour of choice" to entice more involvement.

With that in mind, the green light has been given to improve the facilities at Casey Dental Clinic and other remaining north clinics. The goal is to provide better access to care and incorporate a family practice feel to our clinics. Wish lists, cost estimates, architecture and engineering efforts are geared up to upgrade Casey to "Tour of Choice" status.

Amid the pressures for demilitarization from the South and an increasing nuclear threat from the North, our status is in flux. But one thing is certain--young fighting soldiers still get cavities and need their wisdom teeth removed!

Don't eat Yellow Sand...

Hwangsa (황사) or Yellow Sand / Asian Dust is a phenomenon which affects much of East Asia. The dust originates in Mongolia and Western China where winds kick up clouds of fine sand. These clouds are then carried eastward by prevailing winds that pass over China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan--even making the journey to the United States.

Recently, it has become a serious problem due to the increase of industrial pollutants contained in the dust and deforestation of Chinese woodlands causing longer and more frequent storms.
Areas affected by the dust experience decreased visibility and the dust is known to cause health problems. Often, people are advised to avoid or minimize outdoor activities, depending on severity of storms.

In 2007, South Korea sent several thousand trees to help block the migration of the yellow sand and reverse deforestation. These trees, however, were planted along highways because the People's Republic of China would only take the trees if they could decide where the trees would be planted.

A Korean website and a US military website that monitors Yellow Sand conditions.

Serious about Ramen...

A quick ride on Tongducheon Public Bus #36 to Uijeongbu will take you past E-Mart--Korea's largest discount retailer and an Asian version of Wal-Mart. In fact when Wal-Mart decided to pull out of the Korean market in 2006 E-Mart's parent company, Shinsegae bought up all 16 stores for $882 million. Next they overhauled the outlets so Koreans would want to shop there. "Koreans hate the warehouse format," said Chong Yong-jin, an executive for the 85-store chain.

Indeed, E-Mart crosses as a mix of "Ikea meets Target." Sparkling clean, spacious layout, a unique food court and huge kiddie playland tops the list for fun shopping. In the grocery section the catchy displays and an "outdoor market feel" are cool. Even the escalator is built to move both people and shopping carts. The multi-floor format is reminiscent old-style department stores: food on the first floor--clothing, hardware, appliances found on higher floors.

So the next time you come to E-Mart don't forget two things: Your shopping list and plenty of T-Money!

The Long and Winding Road...

On October 15th, 2008 my few and limited items of personal and professional use were packed and shipped to Korea by AAA Heartland Express of Bellevue, WA. I was officially alloted 1,600 pounds by the US Army, free-of-charge. With that in mind, Debbie and I gathered everything and anything deemed necessary to sustain life and limb for the next year.

Last week I was informed by e-mail that my "household goods" had arrived in country and were scheduled to be delivered to my apartment today! Being reunited with my bikes, books and toaster would be a wonderful and timely "healing" event. How I missed those simple, homey comforts.

With a knock and a "Ahn-yo-ha-say-oh," Mr. Kim and his associates dropped off my stuff: Quickly and damage-free. Two continents, one ocean plus 54 days and I feel whole again! My total allotment: 288 pounds!

'Tis the Season...

The fall season is a great time of year: the changing colors, football games and tailgate parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. All considered, the best day is November 26th--my birthday! Cards from home, from my in-laws, the Fosters, and a surprise cake at the office was a nice way to celebrate.

My boss's boss, Colonel Paul Forte and his wife opened their home to several of docs serving in the 316th Dental Company and their families. It was a warm, hospitable place to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner surrounded but some great people. Colonel Forte's welcoming comments and prayer were appreciated and apropos to the spirit of the season.

Later in the week an early Christmas box arrived from home with wrapped presents, a filled stocking, and a homemade card. A care package would never be complete without beef jerky, orange Pez, and Good 'n Plenty... crucial protein, succrose and licorice sources! The best present of all is a special visit to Korea from Santa's helper... Debbie. Woo-Hoo!

So much to be grateful for... thank you one and all!

Little Chapel on the Hill...

Just a few miles from the North Korean border sits a small brick building--the West Casey Chapel. Built back in 1954 for UN soldiers, today it hosts weekly services for Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and LDS congregations. I attend the LDS Korea North Military Branch which consists of sacrament and priesthood/relief society. Starting at 2 pm, Sunday services last 2 hours.

In the North Military Branch there is a branch president and one counselor, a branch clerk, a branch mission leader, an elders quorum president, and a relief society president. The sacrament is blessed and passed by two priesthood holders. All musical numbers are accompanied by disc and CD player with no chorister.

There are about fifteen to twenty members that come out to church each week depending on field assignments or weekend duty. One couple has a small baby. The local missionaries attend as do a missionary couple from Idaho Falls, Brother and Sister Pickett. From time to time, area district leaders attend and preside over meetings as well.

There are holiday socials, family home evening gatherings, and monthly temple trips to the Korea Seoul Temple which is about two hours away by Metro. To ease branch logistics, tithes are mailed by hand to Salt Lake. The overall spirit of the Saints is good and the leadership is faithful.

New Kid In Town...

From home to San Antonio to Dongducheon, South Korea my journey to become an Army oral maxillofacial surgeon has begun. I join a staff of 7 dentists working out of 18 operatories at Camp Casey Dental Clinic. We care for the 302nd Forward Support Battalion and 2nd Infantry Division... about 8,000 patients in all. We are aided by several enlisted American and KATUSA soldiers as dental hygenists, dental assistants and office staff.

My apartment in Building #1968 is about a mile away and makes for a nice walk to and from work. I billet with other senior officers and NCOs in quarters that are about 450 square feet--the size of a very small condo in the States. It's divided into a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bath. Basic cable TV is free and offers a channel of non-stop ESPN. Owing to geography, all US games are delayed 17 hours in real time.

We have access to PX/commissary, banking, church, gym, bowling, golf, theater, USO, Post Office, fast food, library, medical/dental (naturally), bus and taxi services on base. We stay busy keeping our mission-ready troops a top priority. Our DENTAC leadership on the Korean Peninsula is second-to-none and it's great to be on a winning team!