Report of 15 Mar 2024

 Good morning from a sunny and bright apartment!

A husband is asleep, I am getting some quiet time in.  I love this time of day.  I get up early for a workout just to do it in peace and quiet, and go to an uncrowded gym after a pleasant walk outside.  Then I come up, shower and eat, and get to work.  This work from home concept is nice.  We have many things to thank the pandemic for, though many would not think that.  

We are well.  I am battling a virus, which appears to happen often.  I was at the Banyan on Tuesday, for the first extended visit since Nat's wedding, and was masked, but intermittently.  When we had clinic days at Kovalam, my surgeon father would urge me to wear a mask - well before pandemic; I used to think "Mask, really?"  And then not remember, and battle a virus the next day.  Then, my colleagues and I started to mask up, and stayed healthy the next day. Yes, mask, really.  Surgeons do contribute - lol.

The B was nice.  I spoke to a former colleague outside for a bit, and then went in.  I had breakfast at our dining hall.  I love the fact that we can afford to feed the patients and staff, and the food is hot and tasty.  At one time, a CEO wanted to stop the free food for staff; he was from overseas, and did not quite comprehend that our staff were often as poor as our patients were and the food was a necessity.  But he caught on quickly, and the free food was not stopped.  Hooray.  There is also something quite unifying about sitting and eating together.  Chat about the day, plans for next, kids, work, fun, etc.  

We were in Madurai last week.  Had not been for a bit, so we went.  My father and his new hearing aid appear to be having adjustment issues, so hearing aid folks were summoned again and they adjusted things.  Scott is a huge fan of genealogy, and recorded family info, which my Dad was happy to provide.  My Dad's memory tends to wane at times, and such chats help.  

My colleague who had the bypass surgery is recovering well.  He wants to visit us at home, likely bearing a gift that is unnecessary.  I have tried to dissuade him, to no avail.  If any of you has suggestions, I would welcome them.

I stopped at several places on the way home after the Banyan.  Sugarcane juice - which is helping me battle the virus.  The vendor puts in some pieces of lime and a piece of ginger when crushing the canes, and the flavor is nice.  Excessively sweet, and so not something I drink every day, but hopefully, a good source of income for the man.  His assistant tends to speak to me in English and it's cute.  There is a makeshift tent next to the sugarcane juice stall - which is also a makeshift tent - and a family sells vegetables there.  The young lady is beautiful and feisty and fun.  She was breastfeeding as I walked in, and I wanted some brinjals (eggplant) on the other side of her; she moved, I requested that she not, and she moved anyway.  Baby was chubby and cute.  I finished my purchase, paid and left.  As I sat in the car and phoned Scott to come down to help carry the marketing, the veg vendor walked towards the car.  I got out and she handed me a slice of watermelon - green and white and juicy red.  She declined payment.  I was overwhelmed with her spirit and the gesture and all of it.  It is many of those who have very little that tend to give freely.  

It is a good life.  Back in the homeland, speaking the language, taking care of people with the best of American education.  

I hope your life is good, too.

Unw -

R

Report of 1 Mar 2024

 Good afternoon!

The Bay of Bengal is unfailingly a pretty sight.  Another building was to come up in front of the one housing our apartment.  Thankfully, that plan has been vetoed for now, otherwise our view would have been blocked.    

We are well.  I quite like my telemedicine practice.  It leaves me time to do my workout in the mornings, get some continuing medical education in, and handle issues for the few patients that I have.  

We went to Mysore about 2 weeks ago; I wanted to see my aunt who is getting more forgetful.  She has word-finding difficulty, but does remember other things.  I showed her pictures of Nat's wedding, she identified some people, remarked on others and we spent a pleasant couple of hours.  She used to live in Canada and is very widely-travelled.  So that makes for nice conversation, too.  

On our return from Mysore, we stopped in Bangalore for a day.  We saw my sister-in-law, Susan, and nieces and nephew.  We had a fun lunch at a very popular restaurant, and were requested to leave after we finished eating as there was a wait for the table.  It was a nice time, and I feel privileged to be able to see family.  

My colleague had bypass surgery a little over 2 months ago and we talked on the phone last week.  He is recovering well, and must control his diabetes better.  He is a good person, has educated his children and his daughter is studying nutrition; I've requested that she weigh in on his diet. 

Chennai had a spectacular flower show and Scott and I saw it twice.  The 2nd time was the penultimate day and the poor flowers were not thriving in Chennai heat.  

We went to Siem Reap, Cambodia, earlier this week and saw Angkor Wat.  Close friends had recommended a tuk tuk driver and we used his services.  He was fabulous - softspoken and helpful.  Angkor Wat was underwhelming, but its maintenance, cleanliness and the gentle nature of the Cambodian people made the visit memorable.  

Unw -

R