Putting Them on Blast

This was a rough week. Not because I miss our baby girl, although I do, and I'm so happy that she's coming back home tomorrow. It wasn't because of my work, because I'm really enjoying my new position. I'm blessed to work with truly talented, funny, thoughtful individuals, and we have lunch together daily, which I love. Every Tuesday, there is ice cream and jazz at HarborPark in back of the courthouse, and we enjoyed that together, too. Next Wednesday, we're going on a staff outing to Plimoth Plantation, our Executive Director will then treat us to lunch and give us the afternoon off. I've also been enjoying playing Words With Friends and Hanging With Friends more regularly because I have the time during my commute, and I've been listening to The Count of Monte Cristo on audiobook. So, no, it's not work.

 So what made this week difficult? Tufts Health Plan. The background to this story is that with Dishon's former job, our family had great health coverage. Co-pays were more than manageable, and we didn't have to pay for things like blood tests, etc. When he left that job, our family was covered under me, but I hated that coverage. Interestingly enough, it was just another version of what we formerly had under Dishon, so I mistakenly thought we'd enjoy the same benefits. Nope. Much higher co-pays and fees for everything! Now, don't get me wrong. I really appreciate that we have health coverage, but it's difficult to go from a really great one to a stressful one. Sheesh. 

Anyway, two years ago, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Thankfully, we caught it early (I was being monitored since there's a pretty significant family history of diabetes), and it's pretty manageable. I don't have to inject insulin, and I only have to check my blood sugar 2-3 times each week, but I do need to take oral meds, exercise (which I'm SO terrible about - I really need to make time for that), and diet.


When I was first diagnosed, we had Dishon's coverage, and I don't think I even had to pay for my glucose meter, lancer, lancets, or test strips. I noticed recently that my test strips had expired, so I called to ask my doctor for a refill. When I called the pharmacy to find out what the co-pay would be (I've noticed that our meds also have all kinds of funky new prices - some really low, some about $5 more than they were under my coverage, etc.), they told me that it would be $50. This was for the FreeStyle Freedom Lite meter (which I later learned was a tier 3 device, and therefore, more expensive). For those of you who know me well know I love coupons, free shipping, and any kinds of savings, so I really wasn't trying to pay $50 for test strips. I started researching other meters, because apparently, the strips for a meter like Accu-Chek are $20 less (it's a tier 2 device), which is what's up for me. My initial irritation was with the state of Massachusetts. Accu-Chek was offering free meters, but for some reason, they're not able to honor that offer in Massachusetts because of state law. Same with the FreeStyle discount program. Grr . . . 


So I called Tufts about getting another meter, and I was told that Tufts would not cover me getting a meter from a pharmacy. They said I'd have to contact a "contracted durable medical supply provider," and I would have to pay 30% of the cost of the new meter. They provided me with a couple of places to call. One place dropped my call after I explained my situation, and the other said they didn't even sell glucose meters. I called the first place back again (Neighborhood Diabetes Shoppe), and I spoke with a very nice woman who told me that a representative would call me back to help me order the meter, which they never did, even after I went and filled out the contact request online. 


In the meantime, I've been trying to schedule a session with a nutritionist to help me with meal planning, and Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Braintree (where my PCP is) has a nutrition department. When I made my appt., I was told that I should call my insurance provider to make sure that a nutrition visit was approved. I did, and the Tufts (THP) rep. told me that although nutrition visits are approved, the nutritionists at HVMA Braintree are not contracted with Tufts, and that I would have to find a different nutritionist. I thought this was odd, since the dept. came up on the list of approved sites on the THP website, but I figured that since she worked for THP, she knew better than I did. This comes up again later . . . 


They sent me a list of contracted nutritionists, and I saw it as an opportunity to see someone close to where I work so I wouldn't have to take too much time off from work to go. I found someone and called my PCP to get a referral to see her. I was called by HVMA's referral specialist and informed that he didn't know what the THP rep. was talking about. My doctor wouldn't refer out to this other nutritionist, because folks with THP coverage regularly see their nutritionists at HVMA, and there's never been a problem with having the visit covered. He said that maybe my THP rep. was new, and didn't really understand how things work, which would make sense, except that I was told that HVMA Braintree wasn't covered by more than one THP rep. So, I'll have to reschedule my appt., because when I was told that HVMA wasn't covered, I cancelled the appt. Again, grrr . . . 


I called THP because I was frustrated about my efforts to get a new meter and to find a nutritionist. I was informed that although the numbers they gave me before didn't result in my getting a new meter, she could give me another list, and I could just keep calling around to find a provider. I asked why I couldn't just get it from CVS, and I was told that they didn't provide medical equipment through pharmacies. I told her what the HVMA referral rep. shared with me, and she agreed that they were on the list of approved sites, but that she didn't see the nutritionists listed as being contracted. She also said that the HVMA rep. seemed to know what he was talking about, however, so I could just go to one of their nutrionists to see if it gets covered. Pardon me, but you would think that the rep. for the insurance provider would be able to tell me ahead of time so I'm not gambling with visits, right? 


Anyway . . . I still have yet to reschedule my visit with the nutritionist, but guess what happened yesterday? I had planned to just go out of pocket and buy the meter on my own when I saw them on sale on Amazon.com for like $20. Turns out I could just buy them out of pocket from CVS, so I planned to do that, and I called my doc for the prescription for the more affordable test strips and lancets. I called CVS to find out how much my prescriptions would cost, and you know what he told me? "We have your meter here. We put it through your insurance, and there's not cost for the meter." I about hit the roof. WHAT??? Seriously?? After all of that, it is covered at CVS? Not just covered, but NO CHARGE?? I'm going to have to stop writing now before I say cruel things, but dang! Right? It shouldn't be this hard! But it's Friday, I have my new meter, and our little girl is coming home tomorrow. All will be right with the world :). Enjoy the weekend, all . . .

The Agony of Commuting

Moakley Courthouse from the back (the park is back there)

First, let me say that I am thrilled with my new job.  It’s a calm, peaceful place to be, which is exactly what I need.  I went through the harbor entrance into the building for the first time this morning, and it’s beautiful!  Lots of trees, flowers, and plants, and there are benches overlooking the water where I’ll eat lunch when it’s not so hot outside.  Everyone is so friendly, and the cafeteria has a marvelous selection of food every day.

Getting to work on the first couple of days, however, was very challenging.  I knew I was spoiled by working in my town for the past couple of years, but I really felt it on Monday and Tuesday.  I have now figured out a commute that works, but my first two days were very stressful. 

Day One:

I was already feeling emotional, because Serena would be leaving the following morning at 2:30 for western Canada.  I decided to drive in, because when I factored in the cost of gas, and what I thought it would cost to park each day ($10), it didn’t seem to make sense to pay for parking at the Braintree station ($7 per day), and the cost of riding the train ($4 per day).  Alas, I was wrong about the cost of parking.  Across from the courthouse, it’s $15 per day, and the lot is all rough and rocky.  I wish I owned a parking lot downtown.  Sheesh!  I could’ve gone to another lot, but I only would’ve saved $1.  I made a mental note that I wouldn’t be driving in again.  It wasn’t so bad time-wise, but driving down Dorchester (Dot) Ave. almost killed me.  I'm a pretty impatient driver.  I'm working on it, but I just need to keep it real.  Dorchester Ave. is a one lane road with non-stop traffic.  When it was finally time for me to make the left turn on to A Street near Old Colony Ave., I was almost hit, because I didn’t end up in the right lane, and I tried to bust a move, but didn't realize that there was an additional right turning lane next to me :(. 

I thought that going home wouldn’t be so bad, because Serena was at home with Dishon, so I didn’t have to worry about getting to Stoughton to pick the kids up from gymnastics camp.  I didn’t think it made much sense to enroll Serena in camp for one day, so Dishon stayed home with her, and took Cairo to and from camp.  The commute wasn’t hard – just long.  I went back down Dorchester Ave. to see if it was any better than in the morning, and no, it was not. 

Courthouse Station on the Silver Line

The next day, I was disoriented, and running later than I intended after being up in the middle of the night getting Serena ready to leave.  I decided that instead of driving all the way in, I’d drive to the Milton MBTA stop (only $4 to park there), take the trolley to Ashmont Station, get the red line to South Station, and then the Silver Line to the Courthouse station. 

We live in Randolph, MA, and the roads in the town are being developed significantly, which makes it beautiful, but a traffic nightmare.  Also when you get to the turn from Randolph Ave. over to Adams Street, it’s always backed up.  I spied an alternate road that I plan to try out another day, but I was stuck trying to make that turn at the stop sign. Grrr! :(

High Speed Trolley

I was able to park at the trolley station, and I had my 16 quarters all ready to pay for parking.  The problem, however, was that the trolley was pulling up as I was trying to pay, and you have to deposit the quarters into the pay slot one at a time.  Thankfully, the driver was merciful and held the door for me.  I think she felt sorry for me seeing me running toward the trolley with all my things (I had a bunch of stuff in my bag to personalize my desk – family pictures, African cloth, Serena and Cai’s artwork, etc.).  The problem was that I had neglected to see if I was on the trolley going in the right direction.  Thankfully, it was :).  

Ashmont Station

When I got off at Ashmont, I tried to load more money on to my Charlie Card, and after five tries, I was unsuccessful.  It kept canceling my transaction for reasons I don't yet understand.  Thankfully, an MBTA employee helped me to load it.  I was a little concerned about having to use my card again to enter Ashmont station after already paying on the trolley, but (and I know I sound mad old . . . ), I didn’t realize that the card stored transfers, and wouldn’t charge me again.  As a matter of fact, if you position your Charlie Card in your wallet properly, you can scan the card without even having to take it out.  Very cool.  I remember having to use paper bus transfers in New York when I was a kid, so the transfer being stored electronically was a bit fascinating to me.  

While I was loading my Charlie Card, I heard the following announcement, “Attention passengers.  There are delays on the red line due to a disabled train at Andrew station.”  Sigh.  There actually wasn’t much of a delay, though, so that was good.  I arrived at South Station by 8:40, boarded the Silver Line by 8:50, and got to work right on time. 

Getting to gymnastics camp to pick Cairo up after work wasn’t bad, either.  I have learned to be deeply grateful for working AC on trains, and the words: "Attention passengers: the next red line train to Ashmont is now approaching."  Woo hoo! :)  I haven't had the disappointment of Braintree tree coming first so far, which I'm thankful for.  I forgot how hot it can get on the platform!  I positioned myself near the first train car, but it was out of service (lights off and everything).  I was a little concerned about not being able to get on the second car, because it was so crowded, but lots of folks got off at South Station, so it was all good.  


I got to Cai's camp by 5:30 after leaving work at 4:00.  I was SO happy to see Cairo.  He enjoyed his first day at after care, even though some kid in his group during the day has been trying to bully him.  Let me just say that with me being from Brooklyn, and Dishon being from Jersey, hearing about kids attempting to bully our babies doesn’t go over well.  I think we ended up doing a decent job remembering our commitment to being Christ-followers while teaching Cairo how to stand up for himself.  Turns out the kid tried to take a hockey stick from Cai today, but he held it down.  That's what's up, Little Dude! :)  Our baby is a gentle giant, but I think he's seeing how important it is to establish a strong presence with predatory kids like that.  

Day 2:

Silver Line

So, today’s commute, now that I know what I’m doing, went much better.  I downloaded the Parkmobile app, and paid for my parking fees in a far more expeditious manner.  I even got to work with enough time to take a leisurely walk from the Courthouse station over to the harbor park at the back of the courthouse.  A very beautiful, stress-free morning, indeed.  And interestingly enough, I got the same silver line bus in the morning and afternoon - #1114, which was nice, because Serena's birthday is November 14th, and I sure miss her!

So, if we ever cross paths during my commute, Bostonians, I'll be that chick with the headphones on and the strong head nod, dancing while waiting on the platform while on the train . . . whenever I can, because like my mom, I have a dancing heart ;).  

I Miss Paris

     

In front of the Opera House

Back to Reality.  Sigh . . . 

I am having such a hard time adjusting to being back home after ten marvelous days in Paris, so since I need to start writing regularly anyway, I figured blogging about our trip would be a great place to start. Let me get out of the way the things that took some getting used to. There's quite a bit of smoking in Paris, and being from the U.S. where smokers aren't even able to smoke outside of buildings much anymore, my lungs took a bit of a hit when we first got there.

Skinny Showers

Also, there are a variety of bathroom experiences one could have, including the unisex sink area, pumping the water to the sink with a pedal, and having to use a coin to gain entrance to the restroom. The phrase "curb your dog" doesn't seem to carry much weight there either, so you really have to watch where you step.









Finally, the showers in Paris are not designed for what Alexander McCall Smith refers to in his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series as the "traditionally built." Being the fine Amazon that I am, and also, I now know, a bit claustrophobic, I enjoyed quick showers while I was in Paris.

The view from our window.

Where We Stayed:

We stayed in a beautiful place called the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal at 4 Rue de Valois.  It was two blocks away from the Musee du Louvre, and I so enjoyed our stay there.  The views from the windows were beautiful, though, since I have an aversion to heights, I had to brace myself a bit.  It was nice to be able to actually open the windows in a hotel and get some fresh air.  The staff there was very friendly.  

What our room looked like at the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal.

Every morning, Dishon and I enjoyed an exquisite breakfast of a variety of cheeses, cafe creme, or cappuccino, Danone Actimel (a wonderful yogurt drink that is very much like an Indian lassi), pastries, including croissants both with and without chocolate . . . I could go on.  It took me a little while to figure out how to use the hard boiled egg boiler (there was a bit of a weird incident the first day where I ended up with a raw egg all over my plate because the egg boiler wasn't on when I thought it was), but once I figured it out, I was all set.  It became a running joke between me and Dishon about my morning egg :).  

Mills Adventures: 

Paris train station where the incident took place.

We were a little disoriented/jet lagged when we first tried to navigate the Paris subway system.  Two of the young men who were with us went with our friend on a bike tour, but one of the young men didn't want to go, so he spent the day with me and Dishon.  It was a rainy day, and we were disappointed to find out, after Dishon skillfully navigated the maps and got us to the Picasso Museum, that it's actually closed until 2013, so we went to the National Archives where we saw Napoleon's marriage certificate and sobering pictures of Paris when it was occupied by Germany during WWII.  Seing the Nazi flags hanging on the Louvre seemed unreal.

National Archives

So back to the whole disoriented thing - the trains in Paris are different than in NYC and Boston.  On some lines, if you want to get off/on, you have to flip a latch when the train arrives in the station.  On the #1 line, there are the train doors and a set of plastic doors that line up with the train doors.  Very cool for knowing where to stand when waiting for a train.  Not so cool when you get smashed by the train and plastic doors like Dishon did, and he almost lost a shoe, but that's his story to tell.  Those of you who know me well, though, know that while my sweet, sweet husband was being smashed repeatedly, I was absolutely of no help to him.  I'm like a deer in headlights in times of crisis.

The sparkling Eiffel Tower

One of the best nights of the week was after we took a ride on the Seine on a yacht with Dishon's co-workers.  Lots of good food and champagne, wonderful conversations . . . I found out how valued he is by those who work with him, and it inspired me.  Even though my position was cut, like Dishon, I hope to work for folks who deeply value me in my new position.  After the last two traumatic years, it didn't seem possible, but I witnessed it in Paris.

Anyway, the sun doesn't go down until after 10 in Paris, so when we docked, it was just getting dark.  Port Debilly is near the Eiffel Tower.  We walked up the steps of the Trocadero, and there was a huge display of a world cup tournament.  Lots of cheering, crowds, African drummers on the Trocadero plaza . . . and then, in a moment of serendipity unlike any other I've experienced so far, we got to see the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.  We didn't even know that would happen.  It was a perfect night.

Walking Around Paris:

During the day, Dishon was with the rest of the folks from the ArtScience Prize at Le Laboratoire helping the students get ready to present their ideas.  That left me with time to explore the city on my own, which was scary at first.  Having grown up in Brooklyn, I never thought I'd ever leave New York City, let alone explore a city in another country on another continent.  Although I had taken French in high school and college (Brooklyn College before I transferred to Ambassador College/University in Big Sandy, TX), that was a while ago, and I had never really spoken French except to pass oral exams.  Folks were so friendly and helpful.  Many people in France speak English, and most of the restaurants have English translations of the menus, or people who are willing to explain the dishes to you.  They get so excited when you even try to speak a little French, which I did, even though I was nervous.  It was pretty cool. As an educator, it definitely helped me to be more aware of and sensitive to what it's like to be a language learner in a new country.  

Le Lorax

It was really interesting to see movie posters in France.  I took these pictures for the kids because I thought they'd be fascinated by Le Lorax and L'Age de Glace 4 :).  It was also pretty cool seeing all the electric cars and bikes around the city that folks use like we use Zip Cars.

Ice Age 4 in the train station

Electric Bikes like Zip Cars

Electric Cars like . . . um, Zip Cars :)

I took a walk one day and hung out on the Pont Neuf bridge to make sure that I'd know where to get on Les Cars Rouges the next day for the bus tour of the city.  I bought some souvenirs on Quai du Louvre.  The bridge is beautiful, and I also had a chance to see Pont des Arts, which, like other bridges in the city, contains hundreds of locks where people have professed their love for one another, locked the lock, and have thrown the keys into the Seine River.  

Les Cars Rouges

The stops on Les Cars Rouges are: Tour Eiffel, Champs de Mars, Musee du Louvre (where I got on), Notre Dame, Musee d'Orsay (I didn't get to visit, but definitely want to the next time we visit), Opera, Champs-Elysees (depicted here where we saw the Arc de Triomphe), Grand Palais, and Trocadero.  I didn't get off at any of the stops, though.  I just wanted to take it all in, and rest my weary feet, since, as I was forewarned, you do A LOT of walking in Paris.  

The Guys:

We traveled with three wonderful young men who were winners of the Boston ArtScience Prize competition.  It was really my first time hanging out with teenage boys, and I don't think I've laughed or learned so much in such a short period of time.  One of the young men reminded me of what Cai might be like when he's 17.  

Where the phrase "One Omar" began . . . 

Things I will always remember:

• Stay calm, calm down and remain calm.
• I hate trees.  I tear down and replace with Green Code.
• Beware of the beehive.
• The dog is the only thing that man has in the world, and you almost killed it.  
• Some of the young men LOVED tartar.
• One of the young men LOVED taking pictures of all of our food.  
• One Omar = one hour

The Album store displayed here was where things got a little intense when one of the young men waited in line for a replica of a key piece of jewelry from The Lord of the Rings for an hour, only to realize that the store didn't accept American Express :(.  I went into the store with him for a while, and it really was cool.  There were Harry Potter wands and horcruxes.  I would've purchased some of that stuff if I had the cash for it. 

Macrons (pistachio is popular)

Where the best macrons in Paris are found

Notre Dame

Notre Dame is another place that is too beautiful for words.  We could've gone into the towers, but it would've been a walk up 400 stairs.  I'm getting old, yall, and I have bad knees.  I couldn't do it.  Going into the actual cathedral was breathtaking, and far more manageable.  

Vive L'Afrique?  They know about me up in Paris, too?  LOL! :)

Musee du Louvre:

Musee du Louvre at night

It's very difficult to capture in words what it was like to spend the afternoon at the Louvre (my favorite section was the Ancient Egyptian art), so I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

The closest I could get to the Mona Lisa

Venus de Milo

Winged Victory

Winged Victory

Food:

I can't believe that I saved this section for last, because it was a big part of why Paris was wonderful, and why I'm having a hard time adjusting.  Who feels like going food shopping and cooking when for ten amazing days, food like this was available everywhere?

Confit de Canard (Roast Duck - a new favorite)

First, I must talk about roast duck (confit de canard).  Before going to Paris, I had never tasted duck.  I had only heard that duck was greasy/oily, and it's rarely available at the restaurants I frequent in Randolph, Dedham, or Boston, so I never really gave it much thought.  One night, Dishon and I went out for a romantic dinner at a restaurant called Pasco on Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg before walking over to the Eiffel Tower.  Dishon had a foie gras appetizer, and I tasted a little, but I wasn't really feeling lit.  For some reason, however, I decided to try the roast duck that night, and I fell in love with it.  So tender and yummy!  Sorry, Daffy and Donald! :(

Pommes Dauphinoise

On our last night in Paris, we ate at a restaurant in the Latin quarter, not far from the Sorbonne called Le Machon d'Henri.  When we arrived, we were told that the restaurant would reopen in about 15-30 minutes while the staff went to purchase fresh food for dinner.  They let us sit and wait, and it was so worth it.  There was this appetizer with goat cheese, crushed black olives, olive oil and fresh french bread.  I'm swooning just remembering it.  I learned to enjoy wine while I was in Paris, too.  When we ordered, of course I chose a duck selection, but it had different potatoes than Dishon and the guys had.  They had pommes dauphinoise, which is like potatoes au gratin, but so much better - a lighter cream and cheese, and it tasted like there was cinnamon the recipe.  The potatoes were perfect - smooth like red potatoes.  I kept trying to take Dishon's potatoes, and he let me, up until a point (I usually try to take his food in restaurants, because he's more of a culinary adventurist than I am).  My only regret while there was not ordering pommes dauphinoise for myself.  I'm going to try to make them, but it won't be the same.

Creme Brulee

I tried other desserts while in Paris, like chocolate mousse, of course, and a couple of recommended pastries.  My favorite dessert was creme brulee, which is far better there than any I've had here.  In fact, one night, I was the envy of our table when we went out for a group dinner.  There were 60 of us from the ArtScience Prize, and the menu was pre-selected.  I am allergic to almost every good fruit there is (ie: bananas, kiwi, watermelon, mango, etc.), so I couldn't eat the fruit salad dessert.  When I asked for a substitution, they asked if creme brulee would be acceptable.  Mais, oui!! :)

I am so thankful that I had the chance to go on this trip, and I'm really looking forward to going back next year.  Hopefully we'll have the same shuttle driver (Abdel) who gave us such a fantastic tour of the city when we first arrived at the Charles de Gaulle airport.  Au revoir for now . . .

Career Transitions

After over ten years of working in public schools in and around Boston, I will now be transitioning to a new role as the Curriculum and Instruction Director with an organization called Discovering Justice. This new part of my professional journey feels like homecoming, in several ways. My mom just retired after over 25 years working for the New York City court system - the bulk of the time at Criminal Court downtown Brooklyn. My sister works as a Senior Court Clerk in Manhattan's Family Court, and my brother works for the D.A.'s office in Brooklyn.






This is a picture of the courthouse where I'll be working. It's absolutely gorgeous. During the interview process, I fell in love with the views of Boston harbor and the beauty of the sun streaming in everywhere. That's one thing that I look forward to. With the exception of a couple of school districts I worked in, school buildings tend to be a bit dreary. Ironic, huh? It seems like the places where learning, discussion, and ideas should be flowing would be the most beautiful on earth.






My son just came in while I was typing, and asked if there would be a "Take Your Son to Work" day where he could come in with me to see my new office. I can't wait to take them to see where I work. I think they'll love it. I think I will, too.