A Visit to Mysore India – Yelp
Sport is a great way to bring kids together. While in India, a group of children introduced me to the joys of cricket.
My husband and I traveled to Mysore, a city in Karnataka, one of India’s southern states. On our first day in Mysore, we took off to explore the city. The cool early morning temperatures were a welcome break from India’s steamy weather and perfect for a walk. Most streets were host to a few sleeping cows and dozens of chickens scratching around for breakfast. The houses appeared run down, yet the residents painted the house in cheery pastel colors–lavender, mint green and pale blue, and hung bright potted flowers outside their homes.
Street vendors wheeled wooden carts along the narrow roads. A man selling vegetables yelled, “Tomatoes! Zucchini! Peppers!” (Of course he said these terms in Hindu). Mothers would pop out of doorways to make small purchases from his cart and then return to their kitchens.
We made our way to a diminutive park on the edge of the city. By ten a.m. three cricket matches were already underway. Teenagers and adults dominated the playing fields. As typical Americans, we had a little knowledge of cricket. I know the game has some similarities to American baseball, but many more differences. To me, the game seems lifeless and tedious–the average match takes eight hours.
We continued our wobble and came across a group of young boys in the midst of a pick-up game of “street” cricket. David and I took a seat on a curb a few meters from the action. The boys ranged in age from eight to thirteen. Their skinny deep brown legs raced up and down the alley flinging balls and chasing after hits. We clicked away with our cameras and enjoyed the action. After a bit of spectating, I approached a ten year old in a bright yellow shirt and gave him a friendly wave and a big grin. I asked about the game. To my relief, my new young friend, Charrin, spoke English. I asked if he would teach David how to bat.
Charrin’s eyes widened. He gathered his band of friends together and they chattered away in Hindu hatching some sort of plan. David and I waited for instruction.
Finally, a round-faced boy took David to the middle of the street and gave him a cricket bat. A cricket bat is made of willow wood and is flat on one side and has a jog on the other. With the seriousness of a Yankee’s coach, the eleven-year-old gave David instructions in the basic art of batting (in cricket attempting to hit the ball is called playing a shot or stroke). David had to make some adjustments to his normal baseball swing and did his best to learn how to “stroke” the ball.
The bowler attempts to get the ball past the batsman/David. In cricket, the pitches can be bounced or thrown. Charrin was the first “bowler” of the afternoon. The slim youth was a blur of yellow t-shirt, white teeth and brown skin as he flew by me in his pre-pitch wind-up. He frantically circled his arm and then “whoosh”, released the ball towards David.
A swing and a miss! Charrin let out a yelp of glee!
David’s batting coach shook his head in frustration and made some modifications to David’s hand positions on the bat. Typically, in cricket there are many hits. In an average test match (the equivalent of a baseball game) there are 320 runs scored!
Charrin was galloping towards David once again-this time David connected with a loud knocking sound-finally some success.
After an hour of play, Mothers started to peep their heads out of windows to glimpse what was spellbinding all the whooping in the street. Little girls wandered outdoors and sat on doorway steps to watch their brothers in action. It seemed all the attention of the neighborhood had shifted from the grown-up’s matches in the park to our little pick-up game. It seemed as if each boy under thirteen in the Mysore area had a chance to pitch and the day was a complete success.
One of the mothers approached us and invited to like post-match refreshments. We answered, “Of course!”
After a warm glass of hot chocolate (in America it would have been an iced icy soda since the temperature had soared to 90º) and a few sweets, we took “team pictures” with our new friends. I lined the boys up and put David in the front with his bat.
I’m certainly not a cricket expert now, but we learned a lot from our young friends. We look forward to returning to India some day, maybe we’ll get some lessons on how to “bowl” next time!
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Career Profile of a Dental Assistant – Salary, Opportunities and Progression – Dentist Salary
A dental assistant is an invaluable asset to a dental office. If you have ever considered a career in the dental field, you should consider that of a dental assistant. A dental assistant is a highly regarded professional, who works under the medical license of a dentist. Not only is it a rewarding profession, but it has also been determined that job availability in this field should continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
Most dental offices are initiate for business Monday-Friday, 8 hours a day, and usually offer an hourly compensation of approximately $13.62, as well as health insurance and bonuses. A dental assistant can also expect to receive paid sick days, holidays and vacation time. Some dentists offer discounted dental procedures to their employees, as well.
A dental assistant should ask to be responsible for a variety of duties. As is ascertained by their title, a dental assistant will attend the dentist during patient procedures, as well as performing specific lab work and keeping the tools sterilized and organized. As with any profession involving patients, a quality of care and attention must be paid to each task. A dental assistant is “hands on” with the patient, and must indicate a comfortable bedside manner.
A dental assistant may also be expected to succor the dental hygienist that works in the office. A dental hygienist is a professional position that requires a bit more schooling than that of the dental assistant, as well as a special certification. For which, however, they are paid at a higher rate, approximately $23.65 per hour. The hygienist also works under the medical license of the dentist, but keeps their own appointment book and schedule patients for bi-yearly teeth cleanings.
As with most professions, the pay scale of a dental assistant depends on the market in their region. Obviously, if you have an opportunity to practice under a well-established dentist in Beverly Hills, you can expect a higher rate of pay than an assistant who works for a young dentist in a small town. Obviously, the more experience you may have in the field will choose the rate of pay you might expect when moving from one office to another.
For those of you just starting out, it is often the practice of many dentists to hire “interns” fresh out of school. When this is the case, the “intern” can expect to be hired for less than the going rate. However, the experience that they receive in return is invaluable to their careers. Additionally, when a dentist has invested in the dental assistant, in terms of training, it is in their best interest to give the appropriate pay raises to keep the loyal dental assistant in their employ.
Some dentists may promote other employees to the position of dental assistant. These employees are probably not certified as dental assistants. Although they may have an opportunity to gain experience in the field, most likely they will earn much less than a certified dental assistant. Additionally, if they find themselves in the job market, they might find that other dentist’s would not consider hiring an uncertified assistant, even with experience.
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Surviving a Layoff – Salary Survey Dentist
You’re Being Laid Off, Now What Do I Do?
Being told you are laid off from your job is an undeniably overwhelming and stressful experience. I know how you feel. You are thinking, why me? Why now?
Rest assured, I can relate.
I was laid off as a teacher from a local middle school 13 years ago due to budget cuts by the state. Then, 10 years later, in a original career I transitioned into, I was laid off as bank manager due to a company acquisition. Most recently, I was told a few weeks ago that I am being laid off as a banker due to a company merger and the economic restraints on the budget.
In each situation, I was shocked to hear the news. Essentially, management shared that this was a business decision, I was told, nothing personal. It did not matter I had performed well in my role. It did not matter that I sacrificed overtime or weekends in the past for the company to get things done. The emotions of inflame, sadness, panic, depression, anxiety, confusion, shock, and numbness hit all at once.
However I survived every announcement and found a new job eventually. I am on track to finding a gigantic one right now. You will be able to do so as well. Where do you begin?
Here are the ten steps to take after you first receive the news that you are laid off.
1. Face the Reality of the Situation
Initially you may want to just sulk and stay mad at the world. And I agree life does not seem resplendent at this time. But I ask you to instead just face the fact that this job was just a job. So it is gone? A job ends and life goes on. You were talented enough to score this job, so have faith that you will certainly score another one. Keep in mind that unbiased because the job ended, this situation does not get you any less of a great person. Remind yourself that you are a wonderful human being with great gifts to offer this world. As a matter of fact, this is your chance to get an even better job or workplace where your gifts can be utilized.
2. Determine Which Jobs You Best Qualify for
Naturally, you will want to try to find a job similar to what you currently have worked within. But what if there are not many jobs like yours available in today’s job market? Or maybe you realize that you were unhappy with your job, glad that it is over, and prefer to do something else? You will want to lift at least a few days on this step. I suggest you read “What Color is Your Parachute? ” book to figure out your interests. Taking a career survey inventory is useful too, which you can google search for several to sample.
Capture some time to review your resume, note which jobs you liked and which ones, you did not care for, list your strengths and talents, and envision the work environment you would most be pleased. Do you work best in a small company or a large one? Are you open to flexible work schedule or want a 9 to 5 schedule? Do you want a commission base job or a job that contains a fixed base salary? Scan jobs on the various websites like Monster, CareerBuilder, and Idealist.org to glance the various occupations. Expand your options and consider at least working in 2 types of industries and several different roles in which your skills would be transferrable.
3. Update Your Resume and Cover Letter
It is a good rule of thumb to keep your resume updated consistently as you progress through your career whether or not you are looking for a job. If you have not done so yet, ensure that your job that you are leaving is displayed on the resume with your strongest accomplishments to date. At the same time, create a screen letter that is a basic one you can customize per job posting-stating your interests and highlight a few bullet points of your accomplishments that displays why you would acquire a good candidate for the role.
Chances are you may need to make a few different resumes with specific objectives. Sustain a file on your computer or flashdrive these resume copies. You can glean help with updating your resume with your local community unemployment career center without any costs. There are resume writers available to pay fees for their services as well.
4. Gather Employment Data such as References, Transcripts, etc.
Most companies have job applications requiring that you to provide a lot more information about you than just your resume and contact information. Sending out timely applications is key also because there are deadlines for job postings and many applicants to compete against. So gather all the data you will need for each application, such as references, transcripts, listing of professional development training classes, and awards from previous jobs in advance. I have saved all my data on my computer ready to send electronically to any posting I see. Or you could save print copies of your data and be prepared to fax them or scan them into an email for recruiters to review.
Here is one more word about references. It would be wise list your previous managers’ names and note if they can be reached via phone or email. You will also want to ask your coworkers and halt friends to give permission to be contacted as character references. Collect their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. If you are in a division that is also being laid off, ask if you can have future human recruiters contact your coworkers and managers on their cell or home numbers as a reference check for you, and you can offer to do the same for them as well.
5. Find Job Opportunities through Job Sites and Networking
There are hundreds of job sites to apply at, whether through a company’s website, recruiting agency sites, and direct job sites. I want to share with you that my experience has been that I receive better results when I network for jobs instead of just applying online. Actually, a lot of resumes are overlooked when sent online because it is an impersonal near. The better job opportunities come from simply sharing with your friends and local professional groups that you are looking for job. You will stand out among the competition when a recruiter or a hiring manager can associate a grand resume with a winning personality or recommendation from another employee. As a matter of fact when you find a job that states you can only apply online for it, be creative and find a way to connect live to a recruiter at the company or one of the executives at the same company to gain insight and build a relationship that could become a referral for you. Where do you network at? Attend parties, alumni events for high school or college, volunteer events, charity functions, and cultural gatherings.
6. Assess Your Health Insurance Benefits Package
Research with your company Human Resources department how long your health insurance will remain in effect before they end. If you were given advance notice of your lay off date, then set up appointments with your doctor and dentist, and any other practitioners before your benefit package ends. This will allow you to ensure you are in good health and get your yearly or quarterly visits with physicians taken care. Typically the company will then allow you to pay for the company health insurance through a Cobra health insurance plan for another 6 months or a year, but beware that this is an expensive plan so check with your local unemployment office about less expensive health care plans you can apply for, and then make the best choice among all options for you and your family.
7. Review Your Budget
This is a tough step to move through. However it is so important to do. You will want to figure out which monthly expenses are of necessity and which are not, estimate how much your unemployment insurance payments and emergency savings will sustain a job search of possibly 8 to 10 months long, and see how your severance pay ( if you are receiving one from your company) will add to your budget.
8. Stay Positive
Do participate in activities that will make you feel continuously good about yourself. As you go on interviews, recruiters will sense if you have a negative attitude about this lay off and will not be interested in hiring someone who holds a grudge. Stay positive by investing in daily motivating activities like running, singing along to a few of your favorite songs on the radio, or walking near a beautiful pond. At least once a day do something nice for yourself by reading and inspirational piece of literature or listening to positive affirmation statements on tape. You can also write out a positive statement to repeat everyday such as “I will find a good job for myself” or “I am capable of getting all that I wish for”. It has helped me greatly to stay focused on the positive, and therefore allow more positive events to occur in my life.
9. Enhance Your Skill Set
We are in a job market that is the worst we have yet to see. There are millions of people out of work from 2007 to 2008 and more job layoffs to come in 2009. Consider this an opportunity to become as marketable as ever. Look into the advantages of taking a new training class or additional courses to become more qualified for a variety of roles that are most available and within growing industries. In some cases, you could have unemployment centers provide funding for your training. You will want to do further research with the unemployment centers in your area.
10. Be Flexible
It is very possible that you may not be able to find the job you want or get the salary you need to maintain your current lifestyle in the timeframe you had hoped. So have a short-term plan and a long-term plan in mind. In the short timeframe, be open to consider either reducing your budget to match jobs that have lower salary, working a full time and a part time job to make ends meet, or taking temporary contract roles until you find the permanent job you really want. Recruitment companies can help you get a temporary contract role that can lead to a permanent role or search for permanent roles on your behalf, if needed. Just keep in mind, they may have long-term relationships with specific companies and may be able to advocate for you to get a position in a company you admire.
I wish you the best in your endeavors. Trust in your abilities, realize you are much stronger person than you thought, and recognize that more opportunities for the better are made available to you when a change occurs, if you are willing to be open to them. Do not be afraid of the changes, instead embrace them, adapt, and grow.
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Bisphosphonates, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, and Your Dentist – Root Canal Infection
Today, I have a large section of mail from Novartis, the drug manufacturer. It is not a marketing piece like so mighty of the mail dentists receive. It is a nine by twelve envelope with several pages of information about Bisphosphonate associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw or BON and their bisphosphonate medications, Zometa and Aredia. Thanks to the lay press and the most unusual issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association, I am already aware of the issue.
Bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, Aredia, Zometa, Boneva, and Actonel are a godsend to people who suffer from diseases that effect bone density. In healthy individuals, bone is in a constant cycle of breakdown and rebuilding. Bisphosphonates prevent the breakdown of bone. Imagine how useful that is to a person with osteoporosis, a accepted disease that weakens bones. Bisphosphonates are very effective in the treatment of Padget’s disease of bone and hypercalcemia (increased calcium in the blood) caused by some cancers. Unfortunately, bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BON) is a painful complication that affects some patients who grasp bisphosphonates.
BON is not a new affliction. Recently, Ruggiero et. al. enumerated other risk factors for osteonecrosis in the Journal of Oncology Practice (volume 2 issue 1). Widely varied risk factors include conditions – malnutrition, advanced age and edentulous (toothless) regions, diseases – cancer, osteoporosis, Gaucher’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosis, and sickle cell disease, substances – alcohol and tobacco, and medications – corticosteroids, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Many medications have side effects which the health care establishment call risks. We take the medication when the benefits outweigh the risks. Antihistamines like Benedryl (diphenhydramine) and Dimetapp (bropheniramine) relieve allergy symptoms better than other medications. That is their benefit. The risk is that antihistamines make the user sleepy. Most people who use these medications believe that the risk of being inattentive is worth the benefit of less sneezing, less itching and less watery eyes. What happens when the benefits are great, the risks are great and the medication is popular?
Bisphosphonates are in medical consume since 1968. However, the first report of a link between BON and bisphosphonates only dates encourage to 2003. These reports are only just beginning to filter down to the public. Popular newspapers and web sites report the sad outcomes of patients who suffer osteonecrosis after taking bisphosphonates and the danger to the industry of numerous lawsuits on the horizon.
People who take bisphosphonates and believe that they may have osteonecrosis of the jaw should watch a dentist at the earliest possible time for evaluation and treatment. Osteonecrosis of the jaw may come on slowly or suddenly. The first symptom may be as mild as the loosening of a tooth or teeth, numbness or tingling. Conversely, the first symptom might be severe afflict due to exposure of necrotic or dead bone. Swelling or infection may appear to be due to a routine dental problem, but does not respond to normal treatment.
For example, there may be pain associated with a tooth. There may be swelling and tenderness. The dentist and patient might believe that the tooth has an endodontic or root canal abscess. Normally, root canal treatment will relieve the pain and decrease the infection. This treatment will not lend relief to the patient who had osteonecrosis of the bone. Now, the dentist should suspect osteonecrosis, and treat that condition appropriately.
The FDA tracks reports of negative events that doctors and dentists connect to the use of medications. Dentists and physicians who diagnose BON in a patient, should alert the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through their MedWatch program. (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm)
Most dentists learn about osteonecrosis in dental school. Osteonecrosis occurs with radiation treatments to the jaws. Dentists learn how to diagnose, prevent, and treat osteonecrosis. Dentists are becoming aware of the link between bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis along with the general public and thanks to the American Dental Association News such as “Osteonecrosis Warning” posted on May 12, 2005, on www.ADA.org.
Treatment of osteonecrosis may begin with oral and local antibiotics and antimicrobial mouth rinses. Surgical treatment may include gently removing the exposed, dead pieces of bone from the affected area. It may be necessary to smooth exposed bone to prevent damage to soft tissue. Dentists are able to cover the affected bone with a simple removable device. Stopping bisphosphonate therapy does not seem to be an effective treatment, because bisphosphonates remain in the body long after. Patients who have BON should see their dentist every three months to monitor the progress of the disease.
Undoubtedly, prevention is the best medicine when taking bisphosphonates. The American Dental Association maintains that patients who will begins bisphosphonate therapy should consult their dentist first. The dentist should remove teeth and provide any surgical treatment in time for healing to occur before the patient receives their first dose of bisphosphonate. The patient should begin therapy with healthy teeth and gums. Dentures should fit well. The patient should brush and floss well to prevent further dental disease.
During bisphosphonate therapy, the patient should see their dentist ever three to four months for professional dental cleaning and examination. Treat dental infections as quickly as possible with antibiotics and root canal therapy. Avoid surgery and extractions whenever possible. As always, discuss your concerns and your condition with your dentist and your physician.
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Robin Vs. The Bundt – Orthodontist Pictures
I baked a bundt cake on Sunday.
And in the past, that would be a proud statement, as I had — over the years — at least somewhat mastered the art of all of those love, schmancy bundt cake pans and truly had become my family’s Bundt Cake Queen, if you will. Yeah, I’m humble. I know.
But…things have changed. I took a year or so off, and apparently, it’s not like riding a bicycle.
When my weekend started on Friday (I’m always off on Fridays), I had no diagram of baking a Bundt cake. But my dear mother, who is now often stressed out over dealing with her aging mother, mentioned I hadn’t made one in a long time. The poor woman was obviously jonesing for a bit o’ Bundt, so today, I had her over to dinner and decided to make a Melted Ice Cream Bundt Cake for dessert (an easy recipe courtesy of The Cake Mix Doctor).
I had an untouched pint (foolish me…) of Haagen Dazs Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream (how could I have let that scrumptious nectar sit untouched in the freezer for a month?!?! What’s wrong with me??!?!), which was fair the suitable amount for the recipe.
I had the yellow cake mix. I had the three eggs. I had the lovely seafoam green Kitchen-Aid mixer. I had the even more lovely Fleur di Lis Nordicware Bundt pan. And I have made these ice-cream cakes many times in the past. I figured it was a no brainer. A Pina-Colada Bundt with a simple Butter Rum glaze. Yum. And…mom would be soooo impressed.
Yeah. Right. Look. This photo is AFTER I doctored up the darn thing after the post-baking castastrophe. It’s as good as it gets.
Here’s the skinny: When it supposedly was done baking, the sides were done. The top was done, yet it seemed jiggly, so I put it back in the oven. Finally, I figured it was going to incinerate on the good parts, so I pulled it out. And set about letting it cool, which I guess I didn’t do long enough.
Because…when I inverted it onto a plate (my ugly royal blue Tupperware cake saver plate — I should have veteran my glass pedstal and cover…it might have looked better on it), the cake did not slide effortlessly out of the pan as so many other Bundts have done from this pan in the past. Oh no. It broke in half, and none to cleanly.
I’ll confess, I opinion about crying. A wave of premenstrual hysteria rose up, and amazingly, I squelched it. I took a deep yoga breath, sized up the situation, and recalled the words of Julia Child, “Make no apologies” and pried the other side of the cake out of the disagreeable pan.
Frankly it looked like a pathetic pile of crap. No other splendid way to say it. And, there absolutely was no way I could attach a plain glaze over it. It totally looked like someone had eaten part of it rather selectively.
So I pulled out a half-container of frozen Cool Whip (actually the Giant Eagle House brand because I’m a cheapskate) from the freezer — and tried to rapidly defrost it. It turned to a thin mush that didn’t improve when I tossed in some flaked coconut and some rum extract. Unruffled, it was enough to drizzle over the gimpy cake and hide the spots that looked like the dog got to it while it was cooling.
What’s even funnier is that the previous Friday night, while my husband and son were on a campout, I spent the night out at my friend Mary’s house — for a mini girls’ weekend. (A little history: Mary and I have known each other since 5th grade and have been bosom chums since 8th grade — when we both discovered we had the same sadistic orthodontist because we were wearing the same tortorous nightbrace headgear at a slumber party. )
Anyhow, when I arrived at her house last week, she, her sons and one of their friends were attempting to bake the As-Seen-on-TV Big Top Cupcake. It looks so cute in the pictures. Making it is another story.
I have to tell you, I have a college degree. So does Mary, plus a year of post-graduate work. That’s a combined nine years of higher ed betetween us. Yet, neither of us could figure out the instructions to that freakin’ thing. I wish now I had taken a record of the end result. I really don’t think even an MIT engineering grad could have made this thing work.
All I can say is more power to the home bakers out there who effortlessly pull off professional-quality cakes, time and again. I wish I had their good fortune. But, I also must confess that I only can hope that they, too, have had similar experiences that, in the end, produce a great deal of laughter and the world’s ugliest baked goods. It’s good for the soul … and the funnybone.
To read about more of my misadventures, visit Almost…But Not Quite.
