Today I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for 9:40am. I showed up kinda late (maybe 9:45) so I felt bad. But when I walked into the reception office, I saw that it was packed. I wondered why.
I stood in the appointment line and waited to check-in.
I got to the front and said, "I have an appointment with Dr. Duque."
The receptionist said, "Oh! Dr. Duque? Well he's not here today. He'll be out for two weeks. His wife just had a baby. Go wait in line over there, for his nurse, to see if you can be seen by another doctor, or reschedule."
Immediately I was pretty excited. Dr. Duque is super nice and I felt happy for him. But I realized that this was the reason for so many people in the waiting area. Dr. Duque's patients would have to be seen by other doctors at the clinic, doctors who probably had a full schedule already.
Waiting in the long line to talk to the nurse, I overheard other people's conversations with her. Angry statements like "I've been here for over an hour, and you just let in someone who just got here!" or "When will I be seen?!" or "I already took a day off work, and now I have to come back and miss work again?!"
I know I have a different point of view because my days are pretty free since I don't have work or school to go to. But even if I did, I don't think I would have reacted the way the other patients did. At least I hope wouldn't have. Do you really expect Dr. Duque to come in the day his wife goes into labor? Would you? And why take it out on the nurses? It's not like their day got any easier either.
I got to the front and the nurse greeted me with a smile, recognizing me. She scheduled me for exactly two weeks from today at 9:40am again. This time I'll be early rather than late. And I'll be sure to congratulate Dr. Duque.
I'm reminded every time I read Kitty's blog: "It's not too difficult to be nice."
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
If You Don't Use It, You Lose It 2
Once again I have found something that I was quite good at before that I can no longer do. Today it was the Rubik's cube.
All throughout college, I was able to solve the Rubik's cube in under 2 minutes. I solved it so many times that the stickers would rip off, so I would have to buy another one. I went through four Rubik's cubes during my time at Cal. I even taught some friends how to solve it.
Today I was hanging out with Phil and found Mikhael's Rubik's cube on his counter. While driving to pick up Shelley, I was able to do the top two rows easily, but I was completely unable to do the bottom. I tried to figure out but to no avail. So sad. Maybe a friend who I taught can teach it back to me? Please?
Hopefully I haven't lost anything else. :(
All throughout college, I was able to solve the Rubik's cube in under 2 minutes. I solved it so many times that the stickers would rip off, so I would have to buy another one. I went through four Rubik's cubes during my time at Cal. I even taught some friends how to solve it.
Today I was hanging out with Phil and found Mikhael's Rubik's cube on his counter. While driving to pick up Shelley, I was able to do the top two rows easily, but I was completely unable to do the bottom. I tried to figure out but to no avail. So sad. Maybe a friend who I taught can teach it back to me? Please?
Hopefully I haven't lost anything else. :(
Sunday, March 22, 2009
If You Don't Use It, You Lose It
This little phrase can apply to so many things. For me, today it applied to public speaking.
Madel and I dropped off JennThai at the briefing for the PASS so-cal outreachers. We had planned to just bring her there, and maybe say hi to the handful of the older outreachers who we knew.
Somehow we were placed at the beginning of the agenda for the briefing. Madel and I had to introduce ourselves, then provide advice to the thirty or so outreachers, most of whom had know idea who we were (other than the anecdotes they had been told by seniors and juniors: i.e. hella on a steep and the Puerto Nuevo outreach trip).
While at Cal, I had more than enough opportunities to perfect my oratory skills: Outreaches, running meetings, speeches at events, and more. It got to the point where I was absolutely comfortable getting up in front of a room of forty people or more, whether I knew them or not. Like I was speaking to an old friend.
However today at the outreach briefing, I bombed. I stuttered. I forgot my thoughts. I wasn't smiling. I was fidgety. It was a train wreck. I was totally embarrassed. I wanted a do-over.
I realize now that I haven't been in a setting like that since I graduated, almost two years ago. Being thrown into that situation, having to provide words of knowledge as a wise alum right on the spot, made it that much more difficult.
Sigh. Ah well. Just gotta try and smile about it I guess. Good luck outreachers! :D
Madel and I dropped off JennThai at the briefing for the PASS so-cal outreachers. We had planned to just bring her there, and maybe say hi to the handful of the older outreachers who we knew.
Somehow we were placed at the beginning of the agenda for the briefing. Madel and I had to introduce ourselves, then provide advice to the thirty or so outreachers, most of whom had know idea who we were (other than the anecdotes they had been told by seniors and juniors: i.e. hella on a steep and the Puerto Nuevo outreach trip).
While at Cal, I had more than enough opportunities to perfect my oratory skills: Outreaches, running meetings, speeches at events, and more. It got to the point where I was absolutely comfortable getting up in front of a room of forty people or more, whether I knew them or not. Like I was speaking to an old friend.
However today at the outreach briefing, I bombed. I stuttered. I forgot my thoughts. I wasn't smiling. I was fidgety. It was a train wreck. I was totally embarrassed. I wanted a do-over.
I realize now that I haven't been in a setting like that since I graduated, almost two years ago. Being thrown into that situation, having to provide words of knowledge as a wise alum right on the spot, made it that much more difficult.
Sigh. Ah well. Just gotta try and smile about it I guess. Good luck outreachers! :D
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Two Blocks Away
For those who have not been to my house, I live two blocks away from an elementary school. I pass Corky McMillen Elementary School every day. I always read the marquee. It's interesting to see what's happening in the lives of the neighborhood children.
Recently the marquee said "McMillen Idol - 3/10 to 3/11". I imagine it's American Idol for the K-5 students of the school. How freakin cool would that be to see? It made me wish I had a cousin or neighborhood friend whose sibling was in the show, so that I could have a reason to go.
Although I didn't go, just the thought of it made me smile. A sign of good times, when something like that can make me :D
Recently the marquee said "McMillen Idol - 3/10 to 3/11". I imagine it's American Idol for the K-5 students of the school. How freakin cool would that be to see? It made me wish I had a cousin or neighborhood friend whose sibling was in the show, so that I could have a reason to go.
Although I didn't go, just the thought of it made me smile. A sign of good times, when something like that can make me :D
Sunday, March 1, 2009
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