This Friday was Lunar New Year.  It is the year of the Ox, the second animal to finish in the divine race.  It helped the rat cross the water and then the rat took off to win the race.  That's why they said people born in the year of the ox is "kind-hearted".  I know a few oxen and that is true.  But they're also stubborn people.
Friday was also my second COVID vaccine shot.  I wanted to show how easy it was until she poked me.  My smile quickly turned into pain.  You can see the picture on our FB page.  My arm is still sore after 2 days.  But I can't complain, I'll take a sore arm over chills and fever any day.  Nonetheless,  it could mean I'll be jabbed all year long as anything that happens on New Year will be repeated throughout the rest of the year.  Of course, that would happen to me (and Bob as she was poked on the same day, too.)  Double whammy.
Saturday, Trump is acquitted again on his second impeachment trial.  Only 7 Republicans have strength to stand up for their morals.  Funny how they all preach the bible and upholding the Constitution but failed to deliver on the simplest duty.  I wonder when divine intervention will intervene and justice be served.  Self-preservation above all else.  Or, fear of one man overwhelmed their rationale.
Sunday, Valentine's day.  Bob and I texted each other throughout the weekend to see how the other is doing.  We're both fine.  Lots of naps for sure.  Her mother gave me the shoulder massager for Christmas.  It was so useful this weekend as my shoulders were sore.   So you see, love comes in from all direction.  😘😉😉

​This week we heard that Los Gatos Union School District (LGUSD) superintendent, Paul Johnson, emailed his teachers and staff telling them to sign up as healthcare workers to get their COVID vaccine from Good Samaritan Hospital because Good Sam’s COO told him they could do that.  Now for those not familiar with Los Gatos, it is an affluent small city in the Bay Area.  But they have not returned to in-person learning yet.  So, why skip the line when those who qualified didn’t even get their shots yet?  Nonetheless, a lot of teachers signed up and got their shots under the pretense of being a “healthcare worker”.  One person’s conscience got to him and exposed the email to the public.  ONE. I guess the rest forgot about their ethics.  
Earlier this month, a mob descended in DC to disrupt the confirmation of President Biden’s election win.  Los Gatos downtown had a “Stop the Steal” rally as well that very same day.  On my drive home from work, I see trucks with the American and Confederate flags flying proudly in the back.  Funny how Trump can win with 3+ millions less votes but he can’t possibly lose with 7+ millions less votes than his opponents.  The answer: Electoral college.  We have this old Constitution that may need to be improvised to better serve our modern-day population because there are so many ways to interpret it.  
In CA, our own governor dined at the French Laundry restaurant indoors when he told restaurants they have to shut down or more mildly, operate with outdoors dining only.  The very next day, the SF mayor, London Breed, dined at the same 3-star Michelin restaurant, then gave a speech forcing most small businesses to close.  Our state open and closes based on ICU beds capacity, county by county.  Why?  Some hospitals have like 12 ICU beds for thousands of people.  So, let’s kill 20% of small businesses so maybe the 1 bed of the 12 occupied can live another day.  There is a 98% + recovery rate for COVID-19 infection.  Small businesses are the livelihoods for thousands of families.  People lose their jobs by four digits monthly.  The educational gap between low-income students and wealthier ones are widening, as is the gap between rich and poor.  But this is not news.  It’s just getting worse.
I wonder when things are going to change.  What will it take for good people to run for office?  Once there, stay decent.  With such a divided country, regardless of outcome, about half will be upset.  We are definitely not all in this together.

​Merry Christmas.  May today be a celebration of any measure.  Even in this pandemic, I’m grateful to be healthy and safe and that the people around me are healthy and safe.  I’m happy to be in love and be loved.  I’m happy that the people I care for are still alive, even in a weaker form.  There is plethora of reasons to be joyful; because it could be worse.  No one asked for this or even signed up to work with this but we mow through.  While the rest of the country stayed home, there are the selfless few who continue to work and serve. I thank you.  I thank you for getting up every day and going to work so I can get my groceries, gas, and toilet paper.  
January 2021 won’t change our current condition.  It’s just another day.  But it will give us hope for a brighter year as a symbolism of a new start.  Hope is what keeps us going.  The idea of seeing each other again and the thought of a reunion is happiness.   That is enough for now.  Have a great holiday season.  May you and yours stay safe and healthy throughout 2021. 

Am I the only one who's ready for 2021?  This weekend, we stayed home and ate Thanksgiving with our families via internet.  Well, we enjoyed after dinner time with families via FaceTime.  It was fun and we all caught up with each other.
Then I wanted to see my sister-in-law and her new fiancé in Marin County so we took off to see them on the weekend.  They were only an hour away so we decided to all go for a bike ride near the water.  Only yours truly fell and hurt herself.  It was the dang rock and that's my story.
Her fiancé was riding behind me so he stopped to help me up quickly.  The rest of the gang stopped and rushed back to help me.  But I had hurt my knee and head so I collapsed and nearby riders stopped to ask if we needed help.  Yes, I had a helmet on.  Luckily, my husband got there to catch me just in time.  Otherwise, another Harry Potter scar.  Also, did I mention my SIL is a plastic surgery resident at UCSF?   So she was taking my pulse and the worried look on her face was not good.  
She had sent her fiancé along with my boys to get water for us.  We were heading back and almost to her home.  Why is it that most accidents happen when you're close to home?   Anyhow, the fire truck came.  Who called them?  Then the ambulance came.  Then another van came.  Who called these people?  But they asked me the same questions I ask my patients when they don't look good. "Do you know where you're are?  Do you know what month and year this is?"  I got confused between November and December.  Is it only November still?  Ugh!
The fiancé came back with water, snicker candy bars and chips.  Apparently, my boys told him I like to eat Doritos chips.  Needless to say, my husband left with the fiancé to bring our cars so we don't have to bike the rest of the way.  I'm the party pooper.  We were heading towards her future wedding venue site.  Now, we were just heading back home. I felt bad the whole time but my kids reassured me it was okay.  The hills were too high to ride up anyhow.  Have you been up to Sausalito?  It's hilly.  My SIL and her fiancé were great.  They completely took care of everybody.
There's going to be a white guy in the family soon.  Luckily, he's a good guy.  I tease him a lot because he's so nice.  But he dishes it right back. He dared to call my 3 angels, "boogers".   I didn't come with a house warming gift but I did send a few right away when I got back home via Nordstrom.   I was hoping to buy them something when I was there.  There are a few things that I'm thankful for this year.  I'm thankful I didn't hurt anyone but myself on this ride.  I'm thankful 2020 is almost over.   A booger, I know.  

A patient asked if he can take a picture of my PPE so he can show it to his office.  He's an ophthalmologist and they're not as "dressed up" as dental professionals.  I think he liked my face shield.  I know...it's cool.  I can breathe better with this one and not hear a humming background when I talk.  The funny thing is he sent me the picture and I thought his picture turned out great.  The lighting was so nice and it looked like the operatory was glowing.  The portrait mode on the new iPhone is pretty neat.  The model... aging.
Have a happy Halloween.  I'm dressed up as a nice dentist...accommodating a patient's request for a picture.  You know I don't do that much.