The day after the storm

It is still chilly out there. I ventured out to work yesterday. 

My husband promised to drop me off at the subway station. But, at the turn to the road from our place, one car got stuck in the snow. There was not enough room to pass it. So, I ended up walking to the station.

The sidewalk was messy. I walked along the side of the road. 

  

That car looks abandoned from yesterday. There was no actual sidewalk, as you can see.

That bus was still there when I was coming back. 

The subway was fine. But, in downtown, where I was supposed to get a streetcar, I waited for an hour in the cold. Only to be notified that the streetcar is not coming that way.

The subway was fine. But, in downtown, where I was supposed to get a streetcar, I waited for an hour in the cold. Only to be notified that the streetcar is not coming that way. 

I got a cab and reached the office. Thank god, I left home very early! I was there before the first patient. 

It was amazing that we didn't get any cancellations! 

The return trip was not bad. Subway and streetcars were running on time. 

 My daughter came to the subway station to walk me home. Walking with her was fun. We both were enjoying the white surroundings. 

The snow-covered trees,  half-cleared sidewalks and the fences... everything was pretty with the snowy backdrop and the street lights. 

That last photo is my favourite! 

Bindu

Conversation with a Geographer

Guess, I told you before: I work as a dental assistant. My job brings opportunities to have small talk with patients sometimes.  

I am responsible for setting the room for treatment. It also includes helping the patient and the dentist during the procedures. 

Sometimes we get nervous patients. Other times, the person comes with an apology "Nothing personal, but I don't like dentists and dental offices". Wow! It will be an excellent complement for the dentist, right? My standard response will be, " I understand. You are not the only person like that. But, I am an assistant. So, I am sure you have no problem with me". Then the person smiles usually.

On this particular day, I got an anxious patient. He is supposed to get a cavity filled on a lower back tooth. From the conversation between the doctor and patient, I gathered he got the dental anxiety only recently. After giving the local anaesthetic, the dentist left the room. We usually wait a few minutes for the drug to "marinate". 

Since the patient was anxious, I started talking with him. I wanted to make him engaged in speaking to deviate from his thoughts about the procedure. After talking about the kind of hobbies and current Covid situation, I wanted to know about his line of work. He studied Geography and teaches Geography. I started asking more about Geography and jobs. I didn't realise there were so many things to do with Geography. 

Geographists study about earth's environment. That is all I thought about it. He explained that he collects geographical data to analyse human nature and culture. The collected data can help to predict where a business should start to thrive. 

I was thinking, geographers, make maps. They teach people to learn about geography. He told me many people don't know the jobs in his field. He said geographers actually can work as city planners, environment consultants, conservation officers, etc. He also told e with geographical data, he can predict where to even start a dental office to have a busy and thriving practice. The owners of those offices might have used the service of a geographer!!! Think of those "smile makeovers" on Instagram?

What comes to mind when you hear about geography and geographer?

Bindu

Keep working : Simple thing to be happy!

Yeah! it is Thursday! It is the Thursday before the Good Friday! That means, it is going to be a long weekend. 

When you work for six days continuously for few weeks, it is a very happy feeling. It is like the first morsel of  that rich delicious cheese cake.

The anticipation of  sleeping in, lazy days are the most amazing one. 

If you are not working then the long weekend won't make any sense. But, working makes it different.  

I didn't realize it before the lockdown last time. When everything closed in last March, I was home for long. The days were dragging. I didn't have a reason to wake up in the morning. 

But, working gives a purpose. Then the off days are more enjoyable. That is the beauty of work! 

  

Bindu

High five: Simple thing to be happy

This is about  work.

The day was scheduled tight for the afternoon. For one patient, scheduled for two fillings. 

She is a mom to a baby. Dentist is doing quadrant dentistry to finish all necessary work. Patient love to get fewer appointments. 

Good thing is the lab sent her crown early. It came during lunch time. 

Bad thing is we may not have enough time for cementation of crown and fillings.

Still we wanted to try. 

Cemented the crown first. Then started fillings. During the cavity prep, patient complained about pain. So, doctor needed to give the anesthetic. But, no problem: I anticipated it and was ready. While that freezing was marinating, we did the other filling. Then came back to the first one. It went well. 

We finished 10 minutes before the scheduled time. So, we did the scan for the night-guard as well!

Yeah! The team got a moment to high five! A small celebration of an accomplishment

Simple thing, to be happy!

Bindu