21 things I’m grateful for when I was 21 (pt. 1)
Early 2011, my teeth was in extreme pain and my dentist strongly suggested crowning my worn-out root canal filling. A total of three teeth needed crowning, and costs for per tooth is not cheap at KRW300,000 (silver crowning). I decided to get it done anyway, as the pain was getting unbearable.
1) I’m grateful for all the teeth I still have, and the ability to chew without pain.
2) Grateful for my parents, who’s generous to support my dental bill.
I’m a regular at my dentist office. In 2008 I had also received RCT treatment from the same dentist, and had my wisdom tooth removed in 2009. I used to dread coming to dentist office, but dental nurses there are so polite and cautious. The dentist is a women, and so are other nurses - it’s like an all-female playground.
3) Grateful for outstanding dental care service in Korea (which often doesn’t come cheap unfortunately)
In February I traveled to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto for 24 days. My friend and I took Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, visited Universal Studios Japan, and took a commuter train from Osaka to Kyoto. In Kyoto we cycled around town in our rented Japanese bicycle, tracked down geisha, and also stayed at Ryokan capsule hotel. My friend also took me to meet her Japanese family in Yamanashi, where I stayed at Japanese traditional house, celebrated the brother’s birthday, and eat Japanese home-cooked meals. It’s my favorite trip of 2011.
4) Grateful for generous friends around me, generous new friends I made, and generosity of human kind (ie: Japanese)
Tokyo is ranked the most expensive city in the world. The thing that strikes me the most is how expensive public transportation in Japan is. Subway fares in Tokyo is 2 times the price in Seoul, and bullet train fare is 2.5 times more expensive there. Getting from point A to point B involves a simple algorithm in head - to calculate the cheapest route (which usually means the time taken most).
5) Grateful for cheap transportation in Seoul
While in Japan, there were few issues regarding my bank card. I had to make few calls to my bank, and they followed up by calling directly to my friend’s mobile phone. One habit that I practice everytime before leaving for travel is to reload my Skype credit. I’ll make sure there is at least $10 Skype credit in my account. When it comes to emergency, I can call anywhere internationally using Skype. (also happened once in Paris)
6) Grateful for Skype technology
The issue didn’t get resolved at the end, because they’ll need my documents to be submitted physically. But the lady who picked up my call (also the one who issued my bank card in the first place) was very patient and thoughtful. In one of the conversations she said “but you need money there in Japan, dont you? Will you be okay?”
7) Grateful for excellent customer service from Korean banks
To be continued
