Photos from last road trip

MobiJam in Seattle: Long long trip and Speed Ticket

Just after passing Mt. Shasta, CA we saw the red mountain and red sky. The chip and old digital camera couldn't capture the red color of sky. It was totally different from green mountain in Washington. Anyway it was almost 9am. We were happy to think that the long overnight driving would be almost ended.

You can see the GPS navigator at the left corner of picture. It was worth a lot more than its cost, $350. It's essential item for road trip.

Golden gate bridge. It was 2nd time to visit San Francisco. As the same thinking when first time I saw it, I didn't know why people say it's beautiful. For me it's just a long bridge with heavy traffic. The drivers in California was a little rough. The cars rode with speed almost 15mph above the limit, changed the lane without signaling, blow horn frequently and never yield.

The sea lions at the Pier39. After having a cup of clam chowder, we started toward Sunnyvale to meet elder sister of my wife.

(10시 경에 샌프란시스코에 도착해서 후다닥 금문교 보고 Pier39가서 크램 차우더 먹었습니다. 한국식 후다닥 사진찍기 관광. 아내는 크램 차우더 덕분인지 벌건 반점들이 돋았었고. 써니베일에서 처형을 만났습니다. 그날 밤 저는 오랜만에 만난 친구들과 산호세 한국 일식집에서 소주잔을 기울였고. 무리했던 좀 힘든 여행이었습니다.)

Quit smoking

When I was alone, smoking a cigarette with deep coffee used to give me a rest. When I was with good buddies, smoking cigarettes with a bottle of beer used to give me comport and relaxation.

This is 2nd trial to quit smoking for my life. About 3 years ago I have stated smoking again since I quited it for 7 years. Now I quited it again.

I tried to erase memory with a cigarette. It was so sweet and faint but I tried to forget those feeling.

(미국에 들어와서 담배를 끊은지 이제 한달 남짓 되는 것 같습니다. 2년 남짓 다시 피우기 시작한 담배가 건강을 해치는 것 같아서요. 담배 피는 사람을 한명도 볼 수 없는 날이 많은 소도시에서 담배를 끊기란 비교적 쉬었습니다. 그래도 가끔 그 연기를 볼때면 참을 수 없는 충동이 소름이 쫘악 도는거 있죠.)

A Language Exchange Partner from Netherlands

Almost one month ago I read a post at Craigslist in which a lady was finding someone who can teach her Korean language. She wanted to learn Korean language. At that time I sent a mail to her. Finally at last Saturday we met at a Starbucks in Bellevue Square.

I introduced my wife to her. They will meet twice or 3rd time a week to teach each other. Even though she's from Netherlands her English is very fluent. The reason why she need to learn Korean is that she and her boy friend will meet his mother in Korea at this September. Her boy friend can hardly speak Korean because he was adopted in US when he was a baby.

To say hello to his real mother, her mother-in-law, she tries to learn Korean. She's wise and very thoughtful. I feel sad to hear real story of adopted Korean.

(한국어를 배우고 싶다는 네덜란드 처자를 연락해서 지난 토요일 만났습니다. 아내의 언어 교환 파트너로 연결 시켜 주었죠. 영어 솜씨는 막힘이 없는 정도로 아내의 버벅임을 고쳐줄 충분한 실력이 되더군요. 남자 친구의 친어머니를 올 9월에 한국에 들어가서 만나기로 했고 거기서 한동안 있고 싶어 한국어를 배우고 싶다네요. 남자친구는 어릴 때 미국으로 입양되어서 한국어를 못하고. TV에서만 보던 이야기네요. 일본어, 중국어도 할 줄 안다는 23살 처자, 참 이쁘고 똑떨어지더군요.)

Long long trip and Speed Ticket

It's been 1 month since I wrote a post. During that time, I wandered around Seattle and Bellevue area. The best thing was that my family came to US and joined me. So happy to see my wife and daughter again.

At the memorial day weekend I went to the San Jose, CA, by car. It took 17 hours. How could I think to go to the San Jose by CAR! How foolish! I will not do it again. But it was so good time for my wife. She met her elder sister in almost 4 years.

On the way returning home I got a speed ticket in Oregon state. The police man said that I drove at 82mph on the road, 65 mph speed limit. The yellow ticket is in my drawer. I can't go to the court cause it'll take 8 hours to go there. It couldn't be avoided to pay fine and raise my insurance rate. After living in US for just 1 and a half month I got a speed ticket. Please be careful when you drive in Oregon state.

(타주에서 받은 스피드 티켓 해결하는 법 아시는 분? "I plead guilty"에 표시하고 봐달라는 해명 편지와 함께 벌금을 동봉해서 보내려고 합니다. 조심해야지 조심. 벌금 얼만지 아세요? $240이에요. ㅡ.ㅡ)

Bought a VW Passat Wagon

I bought a used car using a Seattle Craigslist, Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4Motion Wagon. It has as same green color as the below picture.



The guy who sold the car put the first aid kit on its trunk with a memo written 'For buyer'. And he gave me a whole repair records. Thanks him.

It has powerful and silent engine with AWD(All wheel drive). I fall in love with this car. I hope to be no accidents, no troubles and only happy memories with this car.

(드디어 중고차를 장만했습니다. 폭스바겐. 차를 장만하려고 찾고 서베이하고 보러 다닌 얘긴 나중에 정리해 올리겠습니다. 미국와서 3주 만에 개인간 거래로 차 장만하기. 재미나더군요. 지금은 트렁크의 개털 때문에 세차하러 가 있습니다. 세차 공임이 허거덕이더군요. 잘 아껴 줄테니 미국 떠나는 그날까지 고장없이 사고없이 우리 식구 태우고 잘 굴러다니기를)

Got a Washington Drivers License

Finally I got a Washington Drivers License at this Tuesday.

It's essentially required to read the Drivers Guide at least once. It's very helpful to drive everyday in real life as well as to pass the written test. You can know what is the roundabouts, two-way left turn lanes and rules for driving. It also can make you avoid getting a ticket and save your money.

It took just 15 minutes for driving test. I think I was lucky to get the score 88.

(이번 주 월요일에 운전면허시험에 합격했습니다. 종이 쪼가리 라이센스 받은 것은 화요일. 필기시험보고 대략 1주일 걸렸으니 빠른편이지요. 6~8월 한참 UW에 학생들 몰려들고 신입들 꼬여들 때면 좀 더 기다려야 되지 않을까 싶습니다.)

Applied for SSN

Tuesday(April 10) at this week, I went to the Social Security Administration office at Bellevue. Obtaining US Social Security is the first of the 3 things I have to do upon arrival in US.

It's easy to get to SSA from office. Using the Bel-Red road go to the west-south direction and turn left to take the 124th Ave. NE and immediately turn right to take the NE 8th street. When reach 106th Ave. NE, turn left.

After pulling out a number ticket and writing a simple document, a officer gave me a sheet of paper including following 'Important Information'.

.They will check the documents with the agency. It will take about 4 weeks.
.If that agency tells us their records agree with yours, we will mail you a Social Security card.
.If they tell us their records do not agree with yours, ...

(이주 화요일 SSN을 신청했다. 4주 걸릴 것, 못 받을 수도 있다는 간단한 설명과 함께 종이 쪼가리 한장을 받았다. 빨랑 보내주란 말이다~)