Meeting the President

I think one of the interesting things about my career is that I never really know what's going to happen next.

I'm constantly traveling and doing one thing after another: one moment I'm in the offices of O: The Oprah Magazine discussing the benefits of the Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo bed and the next moment I'm filming a segment on dying Easter eggs in a pot of coffee for CBS The Early Show.     And then I'm back at home painting walls and doors in my new house or flipping the compost pile.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to meet the new Korean President Lee Myung-bak in New York City.  I was invited with a handful of other noted Korean-Americans to the Presidential Suite of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (I'm pictured above in the middle).     The invited guests included TV news anchors (Alina Cho from CNN, JuJu Chang from ABC News), mayors and other elected officials and scientists.     I was "Danny Seo: Environmental Lifestyle Expert."      The song "which one of these do not belong" kept ringing in my head.

The personal meeting was a real honor and we were able to discuss issues ranging from free trade to North Korea to the devaluation of the US Dollar.   Like clockwork, the meeting started and ended on time.  And when we wrapped up, we were all given gorgeous watches enclosed in a box reading "The President of the Republic of Korea."    I think I'll be giving these his/hers watches to my parents.

After the meeting, I kept thinking, "if you could ask the President of the US just one question, what would it be?"     In other words... if you were in my position, what one question would ask?      Would love to hear your thoughts.          

Comments

[TACE]

If I could ask the President of the US one question...hmmm I guess I'd ask him what he dreamt about last night.

[Michael]

dreams...hmm...I think I'd ask him how he could sleep at night

[jen]

Congratulations! What a great honor.
And your description made me laugh. Your parents must be proud too.

I would pass the mike to someone else, I'd have to think -- Philippe Sands would be today's choice.

[heidi]

That's really cool and so are you! I'm sure everyone in the room was thinking the same thing. If I could meet the President, I guess I'd ask him about how s/he separates the job from family - it must be really challenging to maintain close relationships with all those people around and all those busy responsibilities.

[anna]

Congratulations Danny! I love what you're doing, you're really an inspiration. If I could ask Pres. Bush a question I think it would be 'So Mr. President what do you think of Al's movie?' I'm sure the answer would be 'No comment',lol!

[sharon]

what an exciting opportunity to get to meet the president! if i could ask him a question, it would be...what is your personal inspiration and how does that help you in your position?

[Annie]

Congratulations Danny...what an honor. You deserve it, you work so hard. Have fun!!!

[S.]

That's really awesome! That is an honor for sure.:-)

[suki park]

Hello.I'm korean and I come your blog to see your beautiful work sometimes. I'm your fan :)
But,I can't say "congratulation!" to you. Becouse, these days korean president is really really suck. Even He became a president less than 100 days so far, there's big slump in His public support. Main reason is that gorverment allow to import morn than 30 month old American mad cow. and build up grand canal(connect 7 rivers) You may not know about this big issue in Korea. Becouse you're not exactly Korean. But I want you concern about problem of Korea and It's also environmental destruction in Korean beautiful scenery. This president doesn't listen people's voice at all! I don;t want you proud of meeting Korean president.
Just, keep working what you are doing. I support your work but I want you concern Korean situation if you think you're one of Korean. Thank you!