My First Social Security Experience in Covington, VA

Yesterday, my husband and I visited the Social Security office in Covington, VA. My very first Social Security payment was short by over $1,200.00.

While the situation itself was upsetting, the actual process at the office was very pleasant. This was my first time interacting with local government officials, and I have to say that the lady at the front desk was incredibly helpful and kind. She listened carefully, checked my status, and told me, "It looks like they are already trying to resolve the problem." She then suggested, "You can call the Medicare number on the back of your card, and they will explain it to you."

The worker’s positive attitude made me feel so good that I actually forgot why I was there! I had intended to ask her for help filing an appeal for my overcharged Medicare premium, but I ended up leaving without doing it. I happily went home without a solution to my problem.

Afterward, we went to Wal-Mart. Once again, the cashiers were so pleasant. They seemed truly happy to be working there, and their positive energy made me happy too.

Today, reality set in, and I realized my problem is still not solved. I logged online with Medicare but could not find any answers. Now, we are stuck waiting to see what happens. I am hoping they will refund the overcharge and restore my full payment soon.

It is incredibly inconvenient for seniors who rely solely on Social Security income to deal with Medicare overcharges. I am freshly retired and dealing with my very first payment. I can't help but wonder: how do older seniors handle this? I live on my Social Security income now, and they took more than half of my payment. How am I supposed to survive on what is left? Life is certainly not easy for older people.

The only comfort I have right now is that the people in our community are so pleasant. They are generally happy, appreciative of what they have, and kind to everyone they deal with. Facing retirement that is the most positive thing I could ask for.

Thank you to my local community. I appreciate you all!

Life is worth living, and it is worth recording

 

I just finished reading a friend’s Storyworth book, and I am deeply impressed by her experiences, determination, and love for her profession. I am so glad we had a wonderful conversation before I left Eugene; I learned a great deal about her.

She is a medical doctor, a talented writer, and a gifted storyteller. I truly admire her. I even envy the close relationship she shared with her mother, as well as her peaceful yet exciting childhood, raised by loving parents and living in various countries.

We worked together when she was a neonatologist and I was a nurse. At that time, our interactions were strictly professional. I only knew her as a good doctor; I had no idea she was also an accomplished pianist. I knew she was American and spoke English, but I didn't know she spoke French and German, too. She might even speak Japanese and Korean, having lived in those countries. I haven't reached that level yet!

Academically, she is a remarkably high achiever. Through her writing, I discovered how deeply logical she is—she rarely lets her emotions take over. She planned her life beautifully and lived it to the fullest. When she faced short-term memory issues at age 19, she overcame them by working and serving others. That was her coping strategy. While volunteering at a clinic during that difficult time, she realized that helping people made her feel better, which inspired her to go to medical school. Despite her memory challenges, she graduated with great honors. I deeply admire how she declined financial support from her parents, choosing instead to work and pay her own way through college.

After medical school, she signed a contract to join the army, embarking on missions across different countries and gaining invaluable experience. I especially loved the section where she transported critically ill patients from Korea to the Philippines. What an exciting adventure!

She deeply valued her friendships from elementary school all the way through college. She also possessed a strong determination to support the women and families she served for 25 years. Although I knew she was an excellent neonatologist, I never realized how unhappy she was with her workplace. Ultimately, the stress and frustration forced her to resign. Despite those challenges, she excelled at her job and provided wonderful care to her patients.

When we worked together, I often felt a sense of distance between her and the nursing staff. As a foreigner, I couldn't quite understand why. She was the only female doctor in the unit, and the majority of the nurses were women, so I assumed they would become close friends. Now, after reading her book, I finally understand: she was simply unhappy at the time. She stayed in that job strictly out of dedication to her patients, their families, and to support her own family.

She focused mostly on her career and early life in this book, but I am certain there is so much more she left unwritten. She is a successful American lady, an exceptional doctor, a devoted daughter, and a wonderful mother and wife. How can one person excel so beautifully in every single aspect of life?

Thank you for letting me read your life story and for being my friend. You are truly a hero in my mind. Everyone’s life is an unwritten book, and every book is entirely unique. I am so glad she chose to write hers down so these rich experiences would never be lost. I believe everyone should write their own stories—not just for their children and grandchildren, but for human history. Thousands of years from now, if someone happens to read them, it will feel just like reading a fantasy novel.

                                             

To a good friend

Dear friend,

After 22 days travel, we finally arrived our new home: Warm springs Virginia.

I am so happy seeing you at the beginning of this trip. I am so proud of you keeping your home neat and pretty. You are my role modal in every prospect!

The albums we watched together on your porch got me back to the wonderful time we spent together in Haikou, China. Turning each page is the opening of my memories. The places we used to live and work the people we worked with and the culture and environment we have been …

If there were not the precious pictures you took and kept, I almost forgot lots of we have experienced. I thank you for being such a good bookkeeper!

Sitting at your porch, I felt the comfort. Lying on your living room floor, I sensed the warmth. Eating with Karla, I received the love from two generations of the Johansson. Thank you for being my friend and thank you for letting me be part of your life.

I still remember when we were in Haikou and walking on the street together, I was afraid of a little dog, you pulled me behind you and told me: “I will protect you.” I remember the evenings you came to my office and helping my English by having conversations and correct me for pronunciation and grammars. I remember having dinner in your apartment and watching movies with your home made popcorns!

Of course I remember that were you and Noval paid my college application fee and lead me to the library to get the math book I needed for a placement test.

And the wedding …

You and Norval drove all the way to Portland for my wedding and Norval paid the dinner! He was like a father for me and you were the one I depend on when I first came to the US.

My first furniture: two chairs, one table are from you. I have mattress, bed sheet and pillow cases from you.

My first computer and answer machine came from your daughter Denise. I had my first Hamburg at Denise’s as well, and the first camping trip with a RV …

There are much more, and more …

I appreciate you as a friend, mentor and thank you very much for being my friend!

Next, my sister and I will make our new home better with my husband. We will build a new house on the 10 acre. We just bought new lame more! 

 

I will write to you again soon.

I wish you have a nice weekend!

Love you!

                                                                       Love Snow

                                                                 Thursday, June 25, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Yellow Stone national park - the geysers

 

Goodbye, Portland Oregon

Portland was the first place I lived after moving to the United States in April 1999. I arrived just in time to celebrate my birthday, flying from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Los Angeles before finally landing in Portland, where a friend picked me up.

My first impression of the United States was how clean it was—everything looked so tidy and well-maintained.

As I began my job search, I relied heavily on public transportation. The buses and MAX light rail were convenient, though they required some getting used to. I remember having to pull a string on the bus to signal the driver for my stop. Because my English was limited at the time, I often had to show drivers my destination written on a piece of paper and ask them to alert me when we arrived. The drivers were always polite, helpful, and patient, which I truly appreciated.

Those early days were full of cultural confusion. I remember seeing "Smoke-Free" signs and mistakenly thinking they meant I was free to smoke there. I was also puzzled by "On Sale" signs; I wondered why stores labeled specific items that way when I assumed everything in the store was for sale.

Language barriers created some funny moments, too. Once, when I wanted to go to the shopping mall, I told a friend I wanted to go to "the big buildings to get something" because I didn’t know the word for mall. On another occasion, I realized the "grey building" people were discussing was actually a portable bathroom. Because smartphones didn't exist in 1999, I carried an electronic dictionary everywhere—even to the supermarket. Looking back, I wonder why I needed it so much at the grocery store since I could see the products, but I used it constantly.

Some cultural differences were truly shocking. Coming from China, I associated the number "4" with death and tried to avoid it. I was stunned when a friend named his truck "4" because, to him, it sounded like "full."

Yesterday, my husband drove me around Portland to revisit these memories. We found my old apartment building on Morrison Street and drove past Pioneer Square, where I used to go every day. We saw the walkway along the Willamette River where I took evening strolls and visited the Saturday Market. I even looked for the Mandarin House where I used to eat. There used to be a Hunan restaurant a few blocks from my apartment where I spent my only free night—Friday—enjoying a meal and a beer while reflecting on life. Sadly, it is no longer there.

I am grateful for this final trip before I leave Oregon for good. I appreciate the people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had in this city. Portland was the starting point of my American life, and it will remain in my heart forever. Goodbye, Portland—I have truly enjoyed my life here.

 

To my Colleagues of 25 years

 Dear Colleagues,

It is time for me to leave Eugene, Oregon, where I have lived and worked for the past 25 years. I want to thank you all for your support and friendship throughout these years.

I began my journey at Sacred Heart Medical Center in July 2001 as an ECG technician. I am so grateful to my supervisor at the time, Katie, for helping me get that role, and to John for teaching me to be a stress lab technician. I met many wonderful people during those early years—Kathy helped me earn my CNA while I was applying to nursing school, and Shirley was there to pin me as an RN. Fran gave me both love and trust, and these experiences have truly enriched my life in the United States.

My entire nursing career has been in the NICU, and it was my colleagues there who taught me how to be a nurse. I remember following Joan for a day as a student; it was the first time I had ever seen a premature infant. I was amazed by the incredible work the NICU team was doing, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a NICU nurse.

I am especially grateful to my preceptors, Ann and Denise, who shared their responsibilities to mentor me step-by-step. They showed me how to grow as a professional, and Denise even helped me become NRP certified while I was still a student. I am so lucky that I was able to attend that first unit-based certification course taught by Pam, Ling, and Carla.

Throughout my time in the NICU, so many of you helped me develop my clinical skills and knowledge. Whether it was starting an IV, resuscitation, or caring for our most critical infants, I have learned so much from my coworkers. I fondly remember Kristi, the night shift charge nurse, who trained me to be an NRT and how to admit new babies.

The physicians in our unit have also been consistently supportive. I recall working with Michal on an exchange transfusion and a complex case involving a 28-week infant with a pulmonary hemorrhage. I remember when Charlie’s quick action and immediate treatment saved a patient with CMV, and I recall witnessing the only intracardiac injection of my career, performed by Becky. I also learned so much from Igor, whose vast knowledge was an inspiration to us all.

Our new group of doctors is equally impressive; I deeply admire their dedication, knowledge, and the compassionate care they provide to our patients and their families. They are the backbone of this unit, and our babies are so fortunate to have them. Thank you all for your hard work and commitment.

I appreciate the NICU therapy team as well. Since the physical therapists come in to the unit, I don't see toaster head any more. And the speech therapists really make the feeding easier for the nurses. Thanks to them to make the unit better.

As I begin this new chapter of my life, I will surely miss this unit and all of you. I wish everyone nothing but the best.

Please feel free to reach out to me via text at [xxxxxxxxxx] or email me.

With gratitude,

Your friend