Antigen and PCR COVID-19 tests

I am a researcher. I have been researching COVID-19 tests in my area and in Minnesota.

Here's the weird thing. To get over the border and enter the US, Canadians need an antigen test. A test starts at $40, which isn't horrible.

When coming back to Canada, an antigen test is not accepted. Instead, a PCR test is required. The cheapest price that I have seen to get this test done is $199 USD at MSP airport, which is where I'm flying in and out of.

It's not cheap. I am glad that I am staying for over a week at the end of this month to take in two hockey games. Before this pandemic, I would have made two separate trips. If I did the same thing now, just these two PCR tests would cost me the price of a round-trip flight to the Twin Cities. Yikes!

I am hoping that, down the road, PCR tests won't be required. Either Canada will accept an antigen test or possibly drop the test for those who are fully vaccinated.

Proof of vaccination and antigen tests

Ontario now has a COVID-19 proof of vaccination certificate. I downloaded mine a couple of hours ago.

I was eligible to download it on Saturday, but didn't know about it until yesterday. I like that it clearly lists both my shots. I no longer need to flag my two receipts on my phone. This one works well and comes with a QR code, which I hope works.

I have been researching places to get my COVID-19 rapid antigen shot here. I have read that Shoppers Drug Mart doesn't issue a professional-looking receipt according to some unhappy customers. Although valid for travel to the States, I have heard some horror stores of negative test results being written by hand and don't look professional when presented at the airport.

After doing quite a bit of research, I have found three other drugstores that provide certificates for the same price as SDM. So, I'll give one of them a try next month and will report back with my findings.

I am excited about travelling again. 

SIM cards for stateside travel

I have been looking at SIM cards to use while in the States. In the past, I used Roam Mobility and it was awesome. Sadly, the pandemic caused this company to close for good.

I have found a SIM card that provides unlimited calls and texts for thirty days, along with 5 GB of data. It sounds promising.

Down the road, I'd like to subscribe to Mint Mobility. There is a deal where you pay $15 a month for three months. You lock that price in when you buy in batches. The catch is that I would need to buy a SIM card when I am stateside. I can't get it shipped to Canada.

My plan is to get the first SIM card first. I'll then get the Mint Mobility SIM and use it going forward.

It has been fascinating doing research on details that I didn't have to pay attention to in the past.

Hot flashes

I have taken a couple of days off from posting. All is okay, except for waking up a couple of times this week in the middle of the night.

I believe that I'm experiencing hot flashes. I may be premenopausal. It's weird and interesting.

So far this year, I have had a mini period in February that lasted a couple of days. It was definitely shorter than usual. January and March have been menstrual-free.

My last hot flash was last night. I woke up at 5:45 am and it was unpleasant. I ended up turning on my fan at the lowest setting that's perfect for sleep and I was able to sleep in till nearly 10 am.

I have heard that drinking cold water helps. I may need to fill an insulated water bottle with some and test it out. It has been yet another research topic. 

My mom and her memory loss

For years, I have witnessed my mom's memory deteriorate. Yesterday, it took quite a dip that has left a lasting impression on me.

My mom talked to me and said that there was some man living in the same house. I had no idea who or what she was talking about.

This man was my dad. She didn't know that he was my mom's husband.

I said that this man was her hubby. She then replied that she didn't know that she was married. I asked her how I was born without a dad. She simply didn't know.

It was quite telling. However, when I asked her if she knew who I was, she immediately said both my first and last names.

It's such a shame seeing a great memory slowly deteriorate. It makes me a bit nervous, as I have a similar memory, I hope that I don't follow this same path.

I'm not sure how to deal with memory loss. Here's to more research. Perhaps having her look at old photos may be helpful. Then again, I don't want to frustrate her if she can't remember who the folks are in them.

Reviews and talk

I like writing reviews about local businesses. I find it relaxing. I also feel that it helps folks with researching whether a business is worth their wild.

Last week, I received a message from a community manager, inviting me to a forum to discuss how I write reviews. It's pretty cool and it's a nice honour.

This casual talk happens in January. I am looking forward to it.

Deliverables and research on a new phone

I have two deliverables to complete this week. One of them happens to be that same document that I worked overtime on two weeks ago, but with more updates. Here's hoping that scope creep doesn't happen again.

I'm thinking about my next cell phone. It will be another Google Pixel phone. I'm happy with it. The question is whether to go with the Google Pixel 4a with 5G, or the 5 model with 5G.

I am leaning towards the former. The screen is slightly larger, which is 6.2". It's also cheaper than the 5.

The 5 is the same size as my current phone, which is 6.0". It has wireless charging and some minor enhancements. To me, they aren't huge features that make me want to spend an extra $150.

Computer eyeglasses - do they work?

I am contemplating getting computer eyeglasses to reduce eye strain. I've noticed it more since I came back from vacation and have been back to the grind.

Do these computer eyeglasses help? Is it better to get something similar, but as a screen protector for a computer monitor or laptop screen?

I need to do some research. I haven't got a clue. I do know that I'm much happier not looking at a computer screen for hours.

Research on winter tires by my guy

My guy is sweet. I asked him for help on getting winter tires for my car. He said that he would look for deals for me.

He loves Kijiji. He found a fairly decent set of used tires that have barely been used. The person is within my neck of the woods. My guy even pointed out what I should look for and what questions I should ask.

It's nice to have a knowledgeable tire guy.

Cutting the cable cord and streaming content on TV

For a while, I have been leaning towards getting rid of my cable service and streaming shows that I want to see online. It took a while doing research to see what type of television streaming device that I should get.

It has been at least half a year since I watched any cable programming at home. I only watched TV in my hotel room when I was on the road.

I own a lot of Apple products, simply because they are reliable and work. Although its products are user-friendly, they are restrictive. I need software that allows me to install all sorts of cable applications as if I had all cable channels.

I decided that I wanted an Android TV box and did more research. The problem is buying one. Either I'd have to go on Kijiji and find someone who is selling such a device, or find a store that sells one, which isn't as convenient as going to any Best Buy store.

On Friday night, I was looking at flyers and found the Android TV device that I wanted from a store that I frequent once a month. On Saturday, I went in and bought the device, which was on sale.

I asked the guy at the store what the box's performance was like. When streaming programs, were they choppy? He replied that the store has been using this same model for nearly a year. He pointed to the TV a few steps away that was streaming content. I was impressed. I had no idea that all that content was being streamed all day.

Tonight, I installed my new TV device (it's pretty straightforward) and downloaded add-ons for the channels that I wanted. I have been happy watching programs that I haven't seen in ages. It's all free. The quality is excellent in high definition. So far, so great!

I'm still learning, but I am enjoying this new device. I am indeed geeky gadget girl.

My guy likes that I have such an interest for technology. He's relieved that he doesn't have to go through this exercise because he has admitted that he dislikes technology. It's funny considering that he works in a high-tech job. He tends to let me help him understand how such things work when it's time for him to go through the same thing. He's funny that way.