A 6 month recap

As I look back at the last blog entry, I am honestly shocked to see that almost 6 months have passed since I last wrote.  Perhaps I can blame it on my pregnancy brain. Then the sleepless nights with a newborn.  Or the jetlag upon return to Zambia.  Nonetheless, I suppose that there is a lot of catching up to do on this blog.

1. At the end of June 2012, Paul and I went to a conference down in Capetown, South Africa.  It was a wonderful week, and it happened to coincide with our 5 year wedding anniversary.   

We learned a lot at the conference, but we also got to do some sightseeing.  Capetown is truly a gorgeous place – beautiful coastlines, lovely harbor, quaint beachfront communities, majestic mountains.  

A visitation of Helderberg College was in order, 

as was a scenic tour of the western coastline of the Cape, 

down to the Cape of Good Hope, 

 Cape Point, Boulders Beach, a city tour, Table Mountain, 

 and Bo-Kaap Quarters.  

I also got to see some people I have not seen in a long time! 

Dr. & Mrs. Bill Chunestudy,

Colin Lawrence,

and Leo Joseph!

2.  At the end of July, Lusaka Eye Hospital held a surgical eye camp, during which we operated on 74 patients from the Gwembe Valley, which is about 150 miles from Lusaka.  It took 2 trips to and from the Valley for our hospital bus to pick up all the patients, then another 2 round trips to take them all back.  But our driver, Mr. Jere, managed to transport all of them safely. Most of the operations done were cataract and trachoma eyelid surgeries. 

3.  In August, Paul and I made the long journey back to the U.S.  Paul went straight down to San Diego to attend a two week continuing education course while I stayed with my parents in their home.  The first few weeks back, I relished in being able to eat at my favorite restaurants – something I had missed sorely during our time abroad.  Thai food, Mexican food, pizza, gourmet sandwiches, and also my mom’s home cooking were a delight.  

4.  On 26 August 2012, we had our baby shower.  My brother, sister-in-law, and a family friend helped to organize the event.  We were so blessed to have our family and friends come to show their support and share in the joy of preparing for the impending birth of our daughter.

5. The following week, my nephew, Oliver James Lee, celebrated his “dohl” (1^st year birthday) at my parents’ house.  Ollie’s birthday is 16 September 2011. 

6.  On 16 September 2012, Jaycee Hannah Yoo was born!   

With a full head of hair and a energetic cry, she showed us all how precocious she was by latching on to feed in her first hour after birth as well as showing us some pseudo-smiles during those first few precious days of life. 

7.  On 18 - 22 October 2012, the first ever Global Health Care Conference took place on the campus of Loma Linda University (LLU).  More than 300 individuals from many different health care institutions throughout the world gathered together to discuss issues in provision of international health care services.  A few of our Eye Hospital and Dental Clinic staff were generously sponsored by the Global Health Institute at LLU to come to this conference.  It was an exhilarating experience for all of them, most of which had never before left Zambia or even been on an airplane. 

We were happy to host Dick & Judy Hart, Mike & MiYe Rauser, and our Zambian colleagues at my parents’ home for dinner.  

8.  On 25 - 28 October 2012, my mother (Jennifer), Jaycee, and I headed down to San Diego for the AMEN (Adventist Medical Evangelism Network) annual conference.  It was refreshing to attend seminars on how to witness to others in the medical setting.  But it was even more refreshing to catch up with old friends.

 John & Elisa, Paul Chung

Janine & Joshua, Sunny & Enoch

Carlos, Daryl & Joy, Trudie!

9.  From 9 – 14 November 2012, my mother (Jennifer), Jaycee, and I boarded a plane for Chicago to attend the AAO (American Academy of Ophthalmology) annual meeting.  It was Jaycee’s first flight, and she handled it like a champ.  It was a busy few days: attending the Chicago Central Korean SDA Church, the Claus Dohlman Dinner, the Orbis Dinner, and many continuing education classes.  

 Happy 90th birthday, Dr. Dohlman!

With Dr. Chodosh

10.  By this time, Jaycee turned 2 months old and received all her 2 month vaccinations.  She also had a valid passport as well as her Zambian visa by then.  She was anxious to move to Zambia, especially since her father, Paul, had returned to Lusaka on 26 October, and she was missing him. 

11.  On 21 November 2012, my mother-in-law (Annie), Jaycee, and I left for Zambia.  The 25 hour flight was exhausting with an infant.   

Jaycee cried quite a bit, likely due to her reflux issues, but our fellow passengers were gracious and didn’t even so much as throw a dirty look my way.  We basically spent Thanksgiving in the air, but we were just thankful when the whole ordeal was over.

12.  On 28 November, Annie, Jaycee, Paul and I headed down to Livingstone to celebrate Paul’s birthday.  On our way there, we stopped in Zimba to meet Kevin Ross, CEO of Midwest Eye Banks, and say hello to Dr. Doug Buxton.  

We also made a stop to our maid's village.  They saved Paul's phone number on the wall of their house.

This trip to Livingstone was exciting.  We spent 4 days and 3 nights at a beautiful lodge.  We checked out Devil’s Pool for the first time.   

We also crossed the border to see Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side for the first time. 

Things were a bit tricky to manage with a newborn, especially since we were all jet-lagged, and Jaycee’s night did not correspond at all with our concept of night.  Nonetheless, we had a great time. 

13.  I started back at work 2 December, mostly covering administrative duties.  I also went back down to Livingstone from 4 – 7 December 2012 for a work-related trip, this time without Jaycee.  It mostly work and no play, but I managed to take my HR officer and driver out to Indian food. 

14. Although the last several months have been filled with baby duties and not much ophthalmology, it has been such a blessing to be given such a precious little girl.  She is a definitely bundle of joy, and she loves to smile.  On 16 December 2012, Jaycee turned 3 months old.  From a mere 6 lbs 2 ounces (10^th percentile) at birth, she has blossomed into a big girl of 15 lbs 10 ounces (95^th percentile).  

We are also blessed to have my mother-in-law living with us for 6 months to help raise our daughter. 

 Our neighbors love their "little sister," Jaycee.

Meeting friends, Abigail & Amy, for the first time

We look forward to what God has in store for us in 2013, which is certainly to bring a new chapter of adventures.  As I officially start seeing patients and doing surgeries again in January, I'll try to stay more up-to-date with this blog, sharing in our triumphs and challenges here in Zambia.  

Happy Holidays, from the Yoos!