LaToya M. Davidson-Perez

I know the meaning of the season but for those who aren’t necessarily religious, I hope you take less offense to these more secular thoughts. Is there anything wrong with being specific with what you would like as a gift? I have an Amazon Wish List. Thus, if you want to give me a gift I make it quite clear what I want. It’s said that it’s the thought that counts. Well, maybe I’m being a bit of a grinch but I likely don’t want or even need something if it’s not on my list. So your thoughts should be of my list!

I make it easy for family and friends by providing a well-balanced (items and price) list of things that I would really appreciate receiving. They are wanted or even needed. I can’t be the only one out there who feels like a regular uninformed gift is not desirable. It takes merely a few moments to look on my list. Besides, we all know that those unwanted gifts end up in a re-gift pile. I certainly hate having to keep up with who gave me a gift I didn’t like and making sure that they don’t get it back from me as a gift to them.

Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

There has been a change in the air, the leaves have gone from green to orange, trick or treaters have gathered their treats, and now it’s time for…Christmas! But wait, isn’t there supposed to be another holiday somewhere in there?! Indeed, it’s Thanksgiving, the holiday that in recent years seems to come and go with very little attention. The stores seem to go from Halloween to Christmas with barely a mention of the great holiday that falls in between.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s been an hour since my scheduled appointment time and I sit staring at walls. I’m listening to conversations, kids playing/crying, cell phones obnoxiously ringing, and if I could watch paint dry on those very walls, I’d be doing that as well. I often wonder what the point is in having a 2:45 appointment if you’re not going to see the doctor until after 5? And why then only see me for 5 to 10 minutes? My time is just as valuable as the next person and I assure you, I’d much rather be doing something more productive and entertaining than sitting around seeing soap operas on the television or counting the many patients waiting ahead of me. Plenty of time, I suppose, to read a magazine or book.

I realize that a doctor’s office is much like any other ‘public’ service. However, it’s no wonder why people become disgruntled with patient care and often resort to simply not going to the doctor’s office. I’m in a fortunate position where I have benefit time and so I don’t lose any pay while waiting for hours. But others aren’t so lucky. The fact is, no one likes to wait (more so when they’re ill) and while the sign stating that patiently waiting is appreciated, it also makes me think that it’s so commonplace it’s to be accepted and expected. With all that waiting it’s no wonder people bring meals with them, conduct business, and do any number of things that in years gone by would have been more taboo.

Read the rest of this entry »