Health Check

Jinna rushed me to the hospital in between classes yesterday so that I could get my health inspection, which is standard for aliens in Korea. On the way we stopped at my apartment so that she could explain how my washing machine works.

They weighed me, took my blood pressure, and did a very easy hearing test. I was asked to pee in a dixie cup, which I then awkwardly handed back to the nurse. They drew blood, and I thought I was done, but then they said I needed an x-ray. I didn't want one, but they said it was necessary.

So they x-rayed my chest. I sat in the doctor's office while Jinna translated for me. He asked if I ever had any infectious diseases, so I answered no. Then he asked me if I had ever had tuberculosis. I didn't know what to say. I told Jinna that I did, but a long time ago. The doctor nodded and said he saw the scar on my lung. It was okay - I could still get an alien registration card, but the doctor wanted me to come back in a month for another x-ray to make sure everything is okay. I said okay, but I have no intention of going back there. No more unneccessary x-rays, please.

They are checking my blood for drugs is what Jinna and Andrew say. Marijuana use is a serious crime here. You can even be arrested on hearsay. On the other hand, Andrew says that doctors will look the other way when a foreign English teacher tests positive for THC, due to their desperation, and the sheer number of recent college grads from USA and Canada that test positive for it. Not that I plan on testing that out.