While eating cheese and crackers last week -- a taste of home -- one of my molars broke in half and fell out of my mouth. Obviously, it was that tooth's time to go since cheese and crackers delivered the knockout blow. I called Nha Khoa Sai gon - Viet My (I call it Saigon Dental Clinic) in Bien Hoa, the same folks who took care of my daughter's cavity a few months ago, and they told me to come in the next day. I had X-rays on the first visit, a temporary crown put in on the second visit, and I'm due back next week, presumably for the permanent crown. I might have one more visit for a final check. My out of pocket expense for the entire treatment is about $213 U.S. dollars, or 4,850 Vietnamese dong. Best of all, these guys seem very competent. Other than some minor language issues with the receptionists, I trust the process, so to speak. Another molar that fell out maybe six months ago -- I don't remember and don't feel like researching -- was treated by a "family" dentist and still bothers me sometimes. That dentist had trouble getting the new crown in place and used a little hammer to whack-a-mole it. The hammering took place next to a gold tooth I have that one of my former students wants when I check out. The gold tooth can also be sensitive sometimes, but I'll deal with both of the crowns since they do what's necessary.
* * *
The bee swarm remains on our balcony, Even though I've been told otherwise by family members, I know from first-hand experience that these bees do sting. A bee landed on my thumb while I was reading Friday night and it stung me pretty good. Not sure I got all of the stinger out because the thumb is red and has a tiny bit of swelling. No big deal but to all the naysayers, these bees do sting. I might have bumped a lower branch, so I probably had this one coming. These bees aren't aggressive and there are no hard feelings and the swarm, or maybe it's a hive now, remains. Joanna and I enjoy it either way since it brings some nature right on top of our house.
* * *
I'm about to hit 800 days in a row of Kindle reading. I'm currently absorbed in The Last Days of the Incas, a book about Francisco Pizzaro and the conquest of Peru. I wish I had read this book before I spent time in Peru. I find myself rooting for the Incas and native people, and hoping the Spanish invaders get theirs, but I'm rooting for a cause that's already been lost. ... The flowers remain at the base of the trees in our neighborhood park, meaning our son Elijah has no place to play soccer. Balls are still prohibited from the park -- some people ignore the restriction -- and motorbikes and cars won't slow down if we play on the street in front of our house. I've mentioned that Elijah will bang a ball around the house, but that's starting to lose its thrill -- there's not enough room to roam. Also, children are now prohibited from grass areas in the park enclosed by low hedges, which our daughter used to hurdle while running the length of the park. That activity has been halted so Joanna doesn't run much ... Despite the reduction of physical activity outside, our daily homeschool lessons start with dancing and stretching to YouTube videos. The warmup, the introduction of hangman into our lessons and frequent breaks for snacks have made homeschooling much more productive. ... I bought Joanna some rollerblades, and even though the early going has been a little touch and go, she loves them and is working hard with her mom to stay upright. ... Elijah is struggling with teething, and perhaps an early case of the terrible 2's, and hasn't been a happy camper lately, which is unusual for this usually cheerful fellow. We're encouraging more toys, block play and reading to fill in the gaps, so to speak. He's also getting lots of ice chips. ... Hot weather is starting to really pick up, with late morning temperatures hitting the low 90s and afternoons in the mid- to upper-90s. February, March and April are particularly brutal for some reason. Maybe there's slight relief when the rainy season approaches. It's all hot to me -- wet or dry. ... In-person schooling should start next week after a long online stretch due to Covid. I guess students must take a Covid test before returning. I don't know if masks are required. Our family, and most people, wear masks outside the home. That's a good thing on many levels.
The bee swarm remains on our balcony, Even though I've been told otherwise by family members, I know from first-hand experience that these bees do sting. A bee landed on my thumb while I was reading Friday night and it stung me pretty good. Not sure I got all of the stinger out because the thumb is red and has a tiny bit of swelling. No big deal but to all the naysayers, these bees do sting. I might have bumped a lower branch, so I probably had this one coming. These bees aren't aggressive and there are no hard feelings and the swarm, or maybe it's a hive now, remains. Joanna and I enjoy it either way since it brings some nature right on top of our house.
* * *
I'm about to hit 800 days in a row of Kindle reading. I'm currently absorbed in The Last Days of the Incas, a book about Francisco Pizzaro and the conquest of Peru. I wish I had read this book before I spent time in Peru. I find myself rooting for the Incas and native people, and hoping the Spanish invaders get theirs, but I'm rooting for a cause that's already been lost. ... The flowers remain at the base of the trees in our neighborhood park, meaning our son Elijah has no place to play soccer. Balls are still prohibited from the park -- some people ignore the restriction -- and motorbikes and cars won't slow down if we play on the street in front of our house. I've mentioned that Elijah will bang a ball around the house, but that's starting to lose its thrill -- there's not enough room to roam. Also, children are now prohibited from grass areas in the park enclosed by low hedges, which our daughter used to hurdle while running the length of the park. That activity has been halted so Joanna doesn't run much ... Despite the reduction of physical activity outside, our daily homeschool lessons start with dancing and stretching to YouTube videos. The warmup, the introduction of hangman into our lessons and frequent breaks for snacks have made homeschooling much more productive. ... I bought Joanna some rollerblades, and even though the early going has been a little touch and go, she loves them and is working hard with her mom to stay upright. ... Elijah is struggling with teething, and perhaps an early case of the terrible 2's, and hasn't been a happy camper lately, which is unusual for this usually cheerful fellow. We're encouraging more toys, block play and reading to fill in the gaps, so to speak. He's also getting lots of ice chips. ... Hot weather is starting to really pick up, with late morning temperatures hitting the low 90s and afternoons in the mid- to upper-90s. February, March and April are particularly brutal for some reason. Maybe there's slight relief when the rainy season approaches. It's all hot to me -- wet or dry. ... In-person schooling should start next week after a long online stretch due to Covid. I guess students must take a Covid test before returning. I don't know if masks are required. Our family, and most people, wear masks outside the home. That's a good thing on many levels.
No comments:
Post a Comment