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Life September, 2011 - from A Retiree's Journal
2011.10.03 10:39
| From a retiree's journal... September 2011 September 2011 was the toughest month of my retirement life, since I decided to run for the Third Mutual Board of the Laguna Woods Village . I was naïve to believe that this community of about 18,000 retirees might need a researcher on the board, but I still think it’s a good idea to have a researcher among the board members, who generally seem to have no data to support their arguments. The election campaign became a nasty and bitter confrontation and I had almost suffocated from heated innuendoes and some 300 emails and phone calls. In the early stages of the campaign, I almost pulled out, as suggested by some more politically-minded residents in our community. However, I stayed in the race and worked hard to win the election. I’m not sure what the outcome of my last political adventure will be. We’ll find out when the ballot boxes open on the sixth of October . Regardless of the outcome, I’ve committed myself to an extra goal for my retirement agenda. Whether I win the election or not, I’m determined to conduct research about the board, PCM (the management company), and the residents. I’m already working on this project, which will become my fourth book after my retirement. Luxury wasn’t in my life in this pragmatic country until I was invited to go fishing on a 47-foot sailing boat, which was valued at more than my house! Six fishermen from the Village drove to the Long Beach harbor early in the morning on September 15 and set sail in the Pacific. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Long Beach as we sailed away, the boat under the command of our skillful captain, Young Chu, who had been a Korean navy officer and captain of a large commercial ship. Although we enjoyed the luxury accommodations on the boat, we didn’t catch many fish. However, we caught enough for our sashimi, which went really well with our drinks. As the day went on, I wondered why I had never managed to go sailing in my life. It was a wonderful experience. (I’m attaching pictures to brag about our adventure.) We were invited to sail to the Hawaii Islands for three weeks, but we couldn’t accept the offer. The Sung family had wonderful news concerning their second granddaughter’s wedding in New York on November 19. We’ve already booked our trip to Boston to meet our fast-growing grandson, Tobin, for a few days before the wedding. We will spend time with other family members in Toronto for a few days before we fly back to California. Traveling by airplane isn’t much fun anymore, since there are no longer many services on the airlines. I never enjoy checking in at airport kiosk machines after waiting in a long line. Flight attendants act like federal aviation officers, telling us what do instead of asking how they can help. However, we’re excited to see the wedding and to be reunited with many folks we haven’t seen for some time.  Here is my translation of fourteen Korean codes of conduct for retirees: 1. Don’t spend too much time lying down. Keep moving. Moving makes for a better life. Lying down leads to death. [누워있지 말고 끊임없이 움직여라. 움직이면 살고 누우면 죽는다.] 2. Create some pleasant events in your life every day. You’ll enjoy your life if you enjoy every day. [하루에 하나씩 즐거운 일을 만들어라. 하루가 즐거우면 평생이 즐겁다.] 3. Smile, even if something isn’t the way you want it to be. It’s impossible to have everything as you wish. [마음에 들지 않아도 웃으며 받아 들여라. 이 세상 모두가 내 뜻대로 되는 것은 아니다.] 4. Don’t give your children advice unless they ask for it. Otherwise they’ll resent your interference. [자식에게 이래라 저래라 하지 말라. 아무리 효자도 간섭하면 싫어한다.] 5. Spend time with younger folks. Their energy will create new energy in you and renew your spirit. [ 젊은이들과 어울려라. 젊은 기분이 유입되면 활력이 생겨난다.] 6. Don’t keep telling the same stories. Those who talk too much will be one day find themselves alone. [한번 한 소리는 두 번 이상 하지 말라. 말이 많으면 따돌림을 받는다.] 7. Friends, not money, are your real assets in life. Don’t lose your friends because of money. [돈이 재산이 아니라 사람이 재산이다. 돈 때문에 사람을 잃지 마라.] 8. Read and reread good books. Such reading will enrich your mind and help prevent Alzheimer’s. [좋은 책을 읽고 또 읽어라. 마음이 풍요해지고 치매가 예방된다.] 9. Worrying about needless things will shorten your life. If you must worry, make sure you’re worrying about worthwhile things. [걱정은 단명의 주범이다. 걱정할 가치가 있는 일만 걱정하라.] 10. Don’t be afraid of sickness. Remember the old saying: “Sick people live long while healthy people live short.” [병을 두려워 말라. 一病長壽, 無病短命이라는 말도 있다.] 11. Only remember the things in life you’re grateful for. Erase painful memories forever. . [고마웠던 기억만을 간직하라. 괴로웠던 기억은 깨끗이 지워버려라.] 12. Go to sleep each night with a peaceful mind. Blessings will be accomplished while you’re sleeping. [즐거운 마음으로 잠을 자라. 잠 속에서 축복이 열매를 맺는다.] 13. Spend time with wise folks. You’ll be the dumb one if you hang out with unwise people. [지혜로운 사람과 어울려라. 바보와 어울리면 어느새 바보가 된다.] 14. You can take nothing with you to the grave, so think about what you’re going to leave behind. [내가 가지고 떠날 것은 없다. 무엇을 남기고 갈것을 생각하라.] |
Comment 3
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운영자
2011.10.03 16:38
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운영자
2011.10.05 09:57
I have this E-Mail today from Laguna Woods, California.
Koreans are slowly getting "up" there one by one, one step at a time !!
Way to go, man...
Note: Third Mutual is the governing body, a sort of the giant home owner's association,
of the Laguna Woods retirement community. Until last year, it was run by Jewish people
but last year, we elected one Chinese board member with Koreans' support.
This year, with Chinese' support, we added one Korean, Dr. Won Chang, to the governing board.
It's a kind of Obama'zation of the retirement community.
It may be invisible or imperceptible but slowly Asians are climbing up the ladder.From: won chang
Sent: Wednesday, October 5, 2011 2:06 PM
Subject: Thanks for your support. I won the election
Thank you very very much for your strong support for my campaign for
the Third Mutual.
Ballots were counted today and I was the top vote getter to be
elected, and the official announcement will be at 9:30 tomorrow for
the ceremony of assuming my duty as a board member.
Now, I’ve committed myself to an extra goal for my retirement agenda.
I will conduct research about the board, PCM (the management company),
and the residents. I’m already working on this project, which will
become my fourth book after my retirement.
Once again, I am deeply honored to receive your support and am
grateful for your help.Won Chang
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운영자
2011.10.05 10:31
Laguna Woods 한인회 회장으로부터 온 E-Mail :
축하합니다. 여러분 감사합니다. 우리는 해냈읍니다. 자랑스럽읍니다.
그동안 Third Mutual Board 멤버 에 출마한 장원호 전 회장께서 투표결과가
오늘 오전 11시30분 개표함으로 당선이 확정 되였다는 소식이 왔읍니다.
라구나우드 역사상 처음으로 한국분이 보드멤버에 나가게 되였고 동양인으로
두번째 로 중국인 에이여 보드에 나가게됨으로 한국인의 위상을 높이는데
일조했다고 보겠읍니다.
그동안 이모양 저모양 으로 수고 하시고 또 물질적으로 후원 해주신 여러분께
감사 드립니다. 장원호 전회장님께서도 곧인사말씀이 있을것입니다.
우선 곧바로 한인회 여러분께 먼저 알리고저 메일을 보냄니다.
감사합니다.라구나우드 한인회장 김병희 올림
10-5-11 12시20분
이것이 왜 그렇게 Big deal 인가에 대해서 의아해 하시는 분들이 있겠지만,
지금 조국의 정치상황을 보면 갈릴대로 갈러지고 찢어져서 從北左派들이 기성을 부리는데,
여기 한국인들은 조용히 단결해서 정치적 목표를 우리에게 유리하게 이끌어 나간다는것입니다.
역시 나이먹은 사람들이 나이값을 하는것 같습니다.
It's not always a quiet relaxing life in the retirement village.
Still there are a plenty of excitements, good for the old age.
And life goes on....
The people in the picture are my golf buddies.
They all look like elderly hillbillies... ㅎ, ㅎ, ㅎ. And actually they are !
When I join them in winter months, I will be exactly in the same shapes.
Funny ? Please don't laugh. When you retire, you will look exactly the same. ㅎ, ㅎ, ㅎ.
None of you can get away from the "reality rule" of life.
These people used to look sharp and grand while they were working many years ago.