The Fab Four...

Brown rice, whole grain toast, whey smoothies and old-fashion oatmeal... my dietary mainstays! Add to that chicken, canned salmon, beans, non-fat dairy, nuts, veggies and fresh fruit.

I picked up collard green, and Hoppin' John recipes from a patient and added these "Southern comforts" to my repertoire. For the past 6 months, I've dropped most refined carbs, and trans/saturated fats. I have to draw the line at peanut butter... gotta have that stuff!

Here's a great snack... one cup of OJ, a scoop of whey protein, and a half of a frozen banana... blended... tastes just like an Orange Julius.

Shhh... Be Very, Very Quiet...

The EFMB train-up is on. I find working with the 302d team helps at times but since each event is a go/no-go I focus my studies on the high failure rate events: the written exam and land navigation.

So, like dental school I slough the study group and go it alone.

Seoul Food du Jour...

Heading to Tongducheon Ville... a mix of Asian ethnic restaurants are available for cheap eats. A Filipino place by the odd name of "Hot Pizza" offers one of my favorites... Chicken Tocino for $6.

A Yongsan Eagle Project...

The last couple of weekends Andrew Bean and his team of volunteers have been fixing up the The Stork's Nest--a building where expectant moms can stay, free-of-charge, to delivery at the 121 Hospital on Yongsan Post.

Andrew's crew put in over 200 hours renovating the building's exterior. It was fun to get some blisters putting in a new patio or helping with a retaining wall. There were rock borders to install, sod to landscape, faulty drains and spouts to repair, decorative trim and masonry to put up, debris to bag, brooms to push...

Andrew did a fabulous job organizing and executing his plan. Troop 80 of the Far East Council has a new Eagle Scout to add to its proud ranks.

It's Good To Be A Husky...

With a 67-60 win over WSU at home, the UW Men's Basketball team clenched their first Pac-10 season championship since 1953. The Huskies (24-7, 14-4) won their first outright championship in any league since winning the Pacific Coast Conference 56 years ago.

Remember the Alamo...

Corey Taylor passed on March 6th... just like the other 189 defenders at Mission San Antonio de Valero. He would be 19 and putting in his paperwork for a mission...

South of the Border...

For the last couple of days units from the 302d have been having fun at exercises on Warrior Base and Rodriguez Firing Range. So why not toss some dentistry into the mix?

These places are just big summer camps minus the waterfront and swim staff. Only a mile from the DMZ and the option to camp or commute makes for a thrilling day at the office. Better yet, our two chair operation was located inside a building with a roof. Score!

Give me your MEDPROS--Class III and IV,
Your huddled masses of Amber and Red,
The teeming toothaches that line my door.
Send these--along our path they tread,
I lift my mirror beside the Dental Corps.

A Belated Taylor Birthday...

As family and friends gathered around a wheelchair-bound Ms. Taylor to celebrate her 77th year I'd like to remember her as she once was... on February 27th... Maggie Pollitt from the 1958 classic Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.

Chajae Temple Run...

Just "next door" to Camp Casey is the Mt. Soyo (소요산) National Park. For a change from treadmill/cycling at the gym, I opted to run* outdoors heading to Mt. Soyo. The goal was an hour-long run and to explore the area a bit.

Following a sidewalk along Hwy 3 and turning right at Soyosan Station, I followed the road up to the park entrance. The nice lady at the gate waved me in without a fee and I ran up to Chajaeam (자재암) on a paved trail.

Chajaeam (or Jajaeam) is a Buddhist temple built in 645 AD by High Priest Wonhyo (원효) to mark where he reached enlightenment. The surroundings are picturesque--forests, granite cliffs, streams and waterfalls. The round trip run was 6.5 miles.

Not Vini, Villi, Vici...

Hey... 0550 was early and chilly in Yongsan! We showed up this morning ready to test... Lee, Jones and myself. Push-ups = 95 (100% is 66), 2-mile run = 13:47 (100% is 14:24), Sit-ups = 62 (100% is 66). Overall APFT score was 296.

So our record APFT is in May and again in October, 2009. I'm still after that perfect "300" this year and I will work my tail off to get it! Go Pre!!

Finally after 7 Years...

Chris Isaak's new CD Mr. Lucky will be released this Tuesday in America. Also the debut of his new show, The Chris Isaak Hour will be on the A&E's BIO Channel. The TV show and CD premiere on February 24th and 26th respectively, so that means Chris has been a busy man.

Beyond the iTunes release, Warner Brothers (Korean Black Market-fighting label) offered a limited deluxe-version featuring an alternate cover, two bonus tracks, and an autographed lithograph. The 1,500 discs poofed and the WB is scrambling for 1,000 more.


That's great but I'm waitin' on the tour dates...

#20 UCLA at Pauley Pavillion...

Again Pac-10 refs kill the big man and hurt the team at the line on both sides of the court. Advantage UCLA.

More three's in the air... more times at the line... less calls in the paint. Yep... that'll win games too... especially with a conference title in the balance.

Thank you David Libbey, Milt Stowe, Tom Wood for the payback on 28 calls against the Foulin' Bruins January 24th at Hec Ed. Funny how Howland's team only got 11 calls at home... sound odd to you too!?

So Saturday at 7 pm come the Huskies to Central LA... lock your doors!

Oh My Huskies...

Who is #1 in the Pac-10 basketball standings? That's right... #22 UW Huskies are up by two games. How sweet it is. It seems like ages since B-Roy and the 2005-06 season. With time we even forget and forgive Michael Jensen... right?!

A SoCal trip and hosting the AZ schools... just play through the paint and feed Mr. Double-Double, Jon Brockman! At 19-6 (10-3) with five games to go, a Pac-10 tourney and an eventual return to March Madness... indeed how very sweet it is!

FYI: UW players Martell Webster, Spencer Hawes, Dan Dichau and Nate Robinson take Husky scholarship slots and bail only to hurt the team. Follow Brandon Roy and Jon Brockman's example... honor the commitment... play four years... be a W-A-S-H-I-N-G-T-O-N H-U-S-K-Y!

Seoul Food du Jour...

After failing to find the Ipanema Brazilian restaurant from City Hall station (Line 1) in December with Debbie, Captain Brenden Ewers and I approached the restaurant from the other side, Seodaemun station (Line 5)... and we found it. Like good land nav, when in doubt run a reverse azimuth!

Backtracking and connecting the dots, Debbie and I were within 100 meters of our dinner location. Ironically it was my idea to abandon the search and eat elsewhere!

At Ipanema, the staff was very friendly and Brazilian (our server, Paulo, is from Porto Alegre) and the food was excellent. Vegetables, salads, fruit, side dishes like rice and black beans and of course, endless chicken, pork, beef, and lamb churrascaria. All-you-can-eat dinner for 30,000 Korean won or $22 beats American prices by a click or two. Muito delicioso.

Here's a Seattle sister-restaurant

Happy Valentine's...

Compliment what she does,
Send her roses just because;
If it's violins she loves
Let them play.

Dedicate her favorite song,
And hold her closer all night long;
Love her today
Find one hundred ways.

Sacrifice if you care--
Buy her some moonlight to wear,
If it's one more star she wants
Go all the way.

In your arms tonight she'll reflect
That she owes you the sweetest of debts
She wants to pay
Find one hundred ways.

My favorite rendition by Mr. Stevie Wonder

Gotta Re-Test...

Word came down that we must re-test the APFT earlier than the DENCOM's May 2009 date. So 27 February is the diagnostic exam in Yongsan at 0550. I have a focused exercise plan and still think a "300" is do-able.

Perfect push-ups one day, toe-bar sit-ups and leg lifts the next with cycling/running is the approach for four weeks. A week and a half in and I'm motivated and healthy! The last week I'll work with the stopwatch and practice my max effort game plan.

Seoul Food du Jour...

Tonight's dinner of feijãoda honors the upcoming Carnival season starting on February 23rd in Brazil. Side dishes of jasmine rice, couve mineira and orange slices were added to fill out the meal traditionally.

Chicken and turkey kielbasa helped keep the dish super healthy. To a "Não-Brasileiro" dinner tasted pretty good. Note that milk (non-fat) was substituted for diet Guarana! Naturally thoughts turn to Elder Stuart Taylor living in Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais. I raise my glass of leite to you!

Here is a cool site promoting the San Diego Carnival.

Here is another Brazilian cuisine site featuring a nifty, meatless feijãoda recipe.

Go The Distance...

The EFMB challenge is on for 2009 and eight from the 618th Dental Company are participating. The clinic has rallied to the cause and tailored some training for the effort--land navigation and nine line commo review. All good stuff!

The Eighth Army is sponsoring their memorial 13.1 road march on February 21st and that helps... ACUs, 35 pound ruck and canteen are a go. Great way to train up and some finishers will go here.

This year's EFMB will be held in the middle of May for twelve days and from what I hear it will be at Warrior Base on the DMZ. Sleep in tents... Hoo-ah!

One soldier's EFMB experience at 44th MEDCOM

Army Learning Management System...

I spent after hours on ALMS completing an online portion of the Advanced Course or "CCC." This class follows the OBLC from last summer. Both are taught at Fort Sam Houston--home to the Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDD).

One week / 10 modules / 2 hours apiece--depending on server connections = just under 21 hours. Death by PowerPoint it was not. In fact, some portions were actually insightful!

Now, on to apply for the residency portion--I would opt for the July through September class. A nine week "vacation" back in San Antonio... Riverwalk, Sea World, great cycling, McNay Art Museum, Mi Tierra and The Smokehouse sound great to me.

1-800-GO-UHAUL...

My daily commute has been shortened by 30 minutes with a new building assignment--from the #1968 to the #691. Dumpster diving provided me with the moving boxes (20) and a decent wool blanket and dish rack, score!

Two of the Casey Clinic NCOs--SFC Wheeler and SGT Lawson--provided the wheels (unit's humvee) and some additional manpower. We nailed the move in 2 trips... about an hour start to finish.

Besides the camp's dental staff, my new neighbors include a couple of chief warrant officers and a light colonel. From the looks of it my predecessor, a ROKA brigadier general liked to drink tea and left nails in the walls. The upgrade to senior quarters (aka "Super Hooch") brought an additional 100 sq ft of space--a whopping 550 sq ft.

Lead... Follow...

...Or have a cupcake! Tensions are on the rise again as North Korea scraps agreements with its neighbor to the South last Friday and says it will, "Shatter any surprise invasion of the enemy at a single blow!"

Accusing the South of pushing relations to the brink of war, the North announced that all political and military agreements are off including one covering their Yellow Sea border--the scene of recent naval clashes.

Last year, South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak rolled back the "Sunshine Policy" linking Seoul's economic assistance to Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament efforts. Money for less arms...

Hey, I'm a resident of the Korea Peninsula too and I say... "Give the cupcake a chance!"

Seoul Food du Jour...

Budae jjigae (부대찌개) meaning "army base stew" is a thick, spicy soup. After the Korea War, meat was scarce so people made use of the leftover food from US Army bases--hot dogs and Spam, mainly. This was incorporated into a traditional soup flavored with gochujang (고추장) or red chili paste, giving it a nice fiery taste.

Budae jjigae is very popular in South Korea. Nowadays, ingredients like instant ramen noodles, sliced American cheese, ground beef, Pez, tofu, and kimchi are added.

Cooked on a table-top grill and ladled onto bowls of rice, it makes for a great winter meal among family and friends. A dinner ran 15,000 Korean won (around $11 bucks) for me and another dentist from my office. Lots to eat and very tasty!

Worried about that fiery soup flavor? I thought budae jjigae and Tim's Cascade Style Hot! Jalapeño Chips were an "even match" on the ol' Spice-O-Meter.

(kiddin' about the Pez!)

Dwight of the Clinic...

I've been tasked as the "Assistant OIC" at the Camp Casey. Basically it's a rank-level position since I sit between 4 captains and 1 full-bird colonel. So just call me "Assistant to the Regional Manager" why don't cha!? Ok, that hurts!

Another task in the wings, is that of "division dentist" to the 302nd FSB. Lots of young, fighting soldiers who hit the field and "camp" a lot. Do kids bring toothbrushes on overnighters? Enough said...

So please join in welcoming me to the Dunder-Mifflin family. Consider a pleasant weekend at Schrute Farms or maybe putting my stapler in jello as a gesture of your esteem and friendship.

Brothers In Arms...

What do Kim Jong-il, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Larry H. Miller, the owner of the Utah Jazz have in common?

The CDC estimates 24M people in the U.S. have Type 2 diabetes--many undiagnosed. Knowing family history, monitoring food intake and participating in physical activity are keys of healthy living. Regular dental visits might be of help as more links between dental health and diabetes come to light.
Diabetes is devastating: Blindness, heart attack, stroke and amputation can occur when the disease is ignored. Jong-il's diabetes has lead to heart disease and Larry, $500M net worth, is now a double leg amputee. Preventable conditions with early diagnosis and treatment!

Sad note - Larry Miller passed on February 20, 2009

Grades Are In...

We got our M9 scores sent to us today from last week's qualifications. It's a good time to review and make corrections for the next shoot. My issue is in the rapid fire table #5. I've gotta learn to drop those magazines and reload faster. Ok, so I choked a little but I did recover in the end.

If you haven't noticed we're given 10 extra rounds so there's no excuse for not firing a perfect range score. Do the math = 30 targets and 40 bullets... Hello?!

All in all, it was a blast shooting 9 mm Barettas. "Go ahead, make my day," says Det. Harry Callahan but he packs a .44 Magnum. Shame!

Seoul Food du Jour...

Bibimbop (비빔밥) or "stirred rice" is a popular dish in Korea. Traditionally served in a hot pot or dolsat (돌솥), rice is topped with vegetables, meat, egg and chili paste. The ingredients are stirred together, warmed up inside the pot and then eaten.

Personally, I think it makes for a tasty meal and spoons are good--those metal pool cues (aka Korean chopsticks) are heavy! Strike the beef and add a bit of chicken and it's G2G.

APFT...

All soldiers take the Army Physical Fitness Test or "APFT" every six months. The APFT is just like the President's Fitness Award in junior high. There are three basic events: Push-ups, sit-ups and the 2-mile run.

The test sequence is never changed and soldiers are allowed a 10 minute break between each event. The APFT must be completed in two hours--so don't eat too much before the contest!

Scoring for the APFT is done by converting each event into a point score kinda like the decathlon. A passing score is 180+ and the maximum score is 300.

I took the APFT on my third day of Officer's Basic Leadership Course at Fort Sam Houston. I smoked the run and push-ups... but skunked the sit-ups and ended up with a 266. I have come to learn it's all about the "technique" so with a little practice I'm going to smoke the "PT test" in May. I guarantee it! (Joe Willie Namath style)

And the Winner Is...

With the conclusion of the Oklahoma-Florida game, the Family Bracket Award for the best 2008 BCS Bracket goes to... Debbie.  She successfully picked 4 out of 6 winners and won the tie-breaker to take the coveted trophy.

Going into the final game, Debbie, Avery, Mase were tied with 3 wins apiece. Avery was perfect in calling the Las Vegas Bowl win by the University of Arizona by 10 points. However, she picked the #1 Sooners to take the BCS Championship and it was not to be. So by the closest of margins, Mom beat our Mase in the tie-breaker, a +17 to a +20 point spread.

After over four years of bracket competition, this is Debbie's first win. Coincidentally, runner-up our Mase has been a three-time Family Bracket Award winner. Congrats Deb... so where are you going for dinner?!

The Shootist...

Today was our "once every six months" M9 qualification using the Baretta 9 mm pistol. Eight magazines of forty rounds shot at seven pop-up targets is pretty much the standard fare. We are marched to our respective lanes and upon command open fire on those cool "up and down" green men.

Army cooks, soldiers, even dentists have to qualify to stay employed. The brigade commander, a colonel, was driven to the range and stepped out brandishing a cool side arm... George Patton-style. He was part of our qualification group.

Knowing I'm a right-handed, "left eye dominant" shooter I make myself aim with my left eye closed and voila... I hit targets! This is my second qualification to date and it's a lot of fun! Upon finishing, we learn from the tower that I out shot the colonel by one target. A very quiet victory.

Wearing kevlar helmets, flack jackets, eye protection and gloves are required on the range but I found the most handy items were my ear plugs! (Note: Dustin will not hit targets shooting like this!)

Auld Lang Syne...

The events of December 26th to the 31st are a whirlwind now, concluded by a lengthy ride from the Incheon International Airport to Bosan Station: A pirate cruise along the Han, the view from a Tower, a visit to a village, a #1968 sleepover, a missing card and restaurant, a Picasso in Seoul, a chilly palace protest, a trek to K-16 and a tear over bees and honey--six short days, six days of fun.

The final six in this series is a count of months until our next reunion, June 2009.

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!