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1911년에 태어나 100세가 되는 2011년 오늘날에도 의사로서 왕성하게 활동하는 히노하라 시게아키 (日野原 重明) 박사의 존재를 불과 한 달 여 전에 우연히 알게 된 후 이 분이 저술한 책을 계속 구해 읽고 있다. 가장 최근에 읽은 것은 “죽음을 어떻게 살 것인가?” (김옥라 역, 궁리 간, 원제 死をどう生きたか).

이 책은 저자가 오랜 기간 동안 의사로서 일하면서 가까이서 직접 임종을 지켜본 환자들의 이야기를 엮은 내용이다. Presentation Zen의 저자 Garr Reynolds의 책에서 종종 언급되는 선(禪)학자 스즈키 다이세츠의 임종에 관한 이야기도 나와서 깜짝 놀랐다.

죽음에 관한 이야기는 일상의 대화에서는 금기시되는 듯, 그 구체적인 내용이 화제에 오르는 일이 드물고, 심지어 장례식장에 가서도 고인의 임종 과정에 대한 이야기는 좀처럼 하지 않는 것이 관례처럼 되어 있어서 평소에 아쉬움이 많았다. 이 책에서는 의사에 관점에서 바라본 의학적 서술과 아울러 살아온 일평생을 정리하는 과정에서 환자와 주변 사람들이 주고받는 세심한 배려에 대한 꼼꼼한 기록이 들어 있어 그동안 내가 막연하게 생각했던 임종에 대해 좀 더 구체적인 이해를 하는데 크게 도움이 되었다.

제작년 말, 가까운 친척분께서 암으로 고생하시다가 임종하셨다. 암치료 과정에서 수척해지시고 무척 아파하시는 동안 나로서는 상황 파악도 안 되고 무슨 말씀을 드려야 하는지 몰라 자주 찾아뵙지도 못하고, 간혹 찾아뵙더라도 멀찌기 서서 아무 말도 못하고 어색하게 서있을 수 밖에 없었던 안타까운 기억이 있다. 일찍 이 책을 읽었더라면 고통 중에 계셨던 친척분께 좀 더 가까이 다가갈 수 있지 않았을까 생각해 본다.

There are times when you pick up a book almost by an accident, perhaps lured only by its cover or the title but without too much expectation, and then fall in love with the book or with the author.

Atul Gawande’s Complications and Dr. Hinohara Shigeaki’s 日野原重明の「こころ」と「からだ」の相談室―60歳からの幸せ問答 are such books. Both books were picked up at bookstores without planning for it. I ended up reading books after books written by these authors.

Such accidental discovery can lead to expanding one’s own web of favorite themes in book reading. For instance, Dr. Hinohara Shigeaki kept praising Sir William Osler as his mentor repeatedly in his books. So now I have started reading a biography, “William Osler: A Life in Medicine“, written by Michael Bliss.

Sometimes you pick up a book on the web without giving much thought and then find out it was a gem.

Recently, I was trying to check if there was a Kindle version of Resonate (Nancy Duarte) then saw Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal (Oren Klaff) was on the top of the Amazon list in its category (Resonate was #2). Without giving much thought–otherwise I usually crosscheck the references and try to find out more about an unfamiliar author making purchases–, I just bought it and started reading it right away. I was surprised to find the book so engaging. I would recommend this book to those interested in improving one’s presentation skills. The book sheds light on the certain aspect of presentation that is not covered by Presentation Zen (Garr Reynolds) and Resonate. (I actually wish my competitors would not read this book.)

I do not quite remember how I came to read The Gift of Pain (written by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey) a few years ago. It was one of the most inspiring and enlightening books I have read in the past 10 years. I strongly recommend this book to those interested in design strategy or design research.

Last week, I finished reading a biography of Dr. Brand, Ten Fingers for God: The Life and Work of Dr. Paul Brand, written by Ms. Dorothy Clarke Wilson. It was also very good. (Perhaps better read after reading The Gift of Pain.)

Of course, impulse buying of books does not always end up being a successful one. But when it does, you are surprised by joy.

It has been a while since I updated my blog.

From the trip to San Francisco.

At a reception at the residence of Swiss Ambassador in Seoul, Korea.

A gift from Mrs. Adams to her class students in ca. May 1976. The book survived 35 years.

Soap bubble.

From an exhibition at Gyeonggi Provincial Museum. Their information design was pretty well done (though not shown here).

Lian’s drawing of a face.

A fantastic view from the airplane on the way to Yeosu.

It reads “To take Central Line, do not go down this stair. – Station Master” – The way Oksu Station is built often provides cognitive challenge for those who want to transfer from Line 3 to Central Line. Thus, the need for this confusing instruction.

“We won’t be responsible for lost shoes.” – In some Korean restaurants, customers will take their shoes off and leave them at the entrance. Once in a while, shoes do get lost or stolen.

The largest post on this restroom door reads “Close the door securely.” Some restrooms are not for public access and keys would be needed to use the restrooms. Thus the reminder to close the door shut (which will often be locked automatically).

An exhibition on the design of Korean fonts at the Library in NHN Green Factory, Bundang, Korea.

Gate at Min’s Club in Insadong, Seoul, Korea.

Wooden door frames at Min’s Club.

An old radio at Min’s Club

“The ultimate meetings offer is being able to choose from options, not having to negotiate them.”

Very expensive rubber shoes at Crocs shop in Etaewon, Seoul, Korea.

Dry flowers prepared by Mom.

Bamtosil Library, a very small children’s library run by a pastor of a local church in a small town outside Seoul. The library is actually a very lovely place.

A tiny table decoration at a reception at the church.

Skyscrapers at Shiodome, Tokyo, Japan, close to Dentsu Headquarter buildings.

Tap water at Villa Fontaine Hotel is “Good to drink”. I didn’t try it, though.

Tap water in the airplane to Tokyo was “No drinking water.”

I introduced two friends of mine to each other some time ago. They got married this month.

Sweet Omija punch with bits of apple floating on top.

I flew from East Coast to West Coast and the temperature is now 15 degree Celcius in San Francisco.

I bought these magazines at the airport bookstore. In regard to the feature article in Fortune, I guess there are lots of people working in companies that never get listed in the “100 Best Companies to Work for” and still live a happy life. In Fast Company is an interesting article about Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools system of Washington, D.C. And she was born in 1969. Wow. The meaning of “achievement” is quite different for some people.

I got a new Kindle (the black one in front) which is smaller and lighter, with stronger contrast in screen than the previous one (the white one in the back).

Nice breakfast at my sister’s house. One thing I am learning during my trip is that when you are hungry you can become more thankful for food.

I had a chance to visit downtown San Francisco.

We had lunch at a food court in Westfield Mall. The photo above is a bowl of spicy hot Tom Yam Noodle.

We drove by Chinatown.

We then drove 30+ minutes to Muir Woods National Memorial, a wonderful park to enjoy serene shadows of over 600 year-old redwood trees. I wish to bring my family here sometime.

I guess I can stay here for hours.

We stopped by Ici ice cream shop. There was a long line in front of us when we got there at around 4:30 pm.

It took almost 50 minutes to get one for ourselves. The flavor was unique and not too sweet.

I am on a trip to Washington DC for Feb 1-4, 2011. Here are some observations from the trip.

My Kindle got a crack on the screen and became very difficult to read. Now it is used mainly as an audiobook device. In order to salvage the investments in the e-book titles I have purchased for Kindle, I had to order another Kindle via Amazon.com.

I took a taxi from the airport to the hotel. $70. (Notice how the ceiling serves as the filing space for the taxi driver.) Taking a taxi is a bit of challenge for me, even in Korea. Being in a tight space with a stranger with his face away from me gives me an odd feeling.

It is my third time to Washington DC (2004, 2010, and 2011) and I have always stayed at Normandy Hotel, a small hotel which used to be called Jurys Normandy Inn. I love its uniqueness and the cozy feeling which is difficult to experience in larger hotels. It used to be one of the more affordable choices around the area in the past but not any more, it seems.

The work setting at the hotel. I am so happy that the wireless Internet connection is provided at no additional cost. While not shown in the photo, they have Nespresso coffee machine both in the room and in the lobby area. They also offer wine and cheese during the evening (but I didn’t get the chance due to other appointments in the evening). I am very much satisfied with this hotel.

In the evening, I attended a dinner hosted by a local entrepreneur Vince Sedmak at restaurant Top of the Town in Arlington, VA. (Taxi to the place $18.00.) Mingling with people at a large gathering is not what I am good at but I am grateful for this kind of exposure, which is priceless.

Many interesting persons were there. The couple on the righthand side of the photo is Mr. and Mrs. Thompson from Thailand. Mrs. Thompson is involved in a mission providing a shelter house to the young victims from the local “adult entertainment” industry (I had to resort to euphemism here but the reality is devastatingly cruel, according to what I heard from Mrs. Thompson). Who sat next to me on the dinner table were Leland, a jazz musician (drum) and Joe from Samoa. I didn’t have much interesting story to share so I played the role of being a good listener.

I walked down to Cosi near Dupont Circle for the breakfast the next morning. The store opens at 6:30 am. Too bad they serve soup only after 11 am. There also is a Cosi store in Dubai Airport and I enjoy getting something to eat from there too. Breakfast “Santa Fe” burrito and Grande Latte were nice, at $5.55.

I learned from my father (or perhaps it was my uncle, I am not sure) that leaving a dollar bill on the pillow is what you were supposed to do when traveling. While it is difficult for me to find out how much it is appreciated (because of the indirectness of the interaction taking place here), I try to do it anyway. I am wondering if this amount is not affected by the consumer price index.

(Tipping has always been a challenge for me. For one thing, the conventional rate seems to differ from place to place, ranging from 12.5% to 18%, as far as I was told by the locals. Also, trying to get the calculation right in my head was not easy at all. So I try to be on the more generous side if I were to tip.)