So...

if I were a nicer person, I would:

* Tell the dental assisting student (who is assisting another dentist) to put the amalgam carpule (filling material carpule) in the holder thing within the amalgamator, (kind of like a paint mixer that mixes up your filling,) but I kind of like the excitement.

* Not complain about how much this Christmas party at my office is costing me. Its just that we don't have lots of money right now. Its just well... $25 for gift cards was a great idea, but now its also $20 for food, plus a $5-$10 yankee swap gift, plus bringing a dessert? And most of the assistants don't even show up to work on time. And how do they have money for this? they're (supposedly) more poor than I am.

* Refrain from inserting a (supposedly) in the above statement.

* Made my husband try to pick me up in the worst traffic fiasco Huntington Ave has ever seen.

Well, that's it for today. I guess otherwise I'm an alright level kind of nice. Happy Tuesday everyone!

Curse you office homemade holiday cheeseball ...

..and your cheesy deliciousness. you are throwing a big wrench in my efforts to be less fat.

this morning's declarations were made when I was not hungry, which is when I make all of my dietary declarations.

McFatty Monday

Its about time I got on this bandwagon.

Since I've been interviewing the past couple of months I've been eating a lot of dinners with the residents the night before the interviews, and well, not only that, but eating airport food, all kinds of comfort food, and multiple McDonald's meals. Now it seems that all of my clothes have shrunk at the same time, even clothes at the mall that I haven't purchased yet.

Joey has been really good, and doing something every night in the realm of exercise... I always have a good excuse about why I can't join him, usually related to cleaning the house/moving piles of clutter from the coffee table to the dining room table.

I really have gained a lot of weight, and I guess my worry is that the older I get the less likely I am to lose it. Those are just the biological facts. And it is really nice of you, those friends and family, who insist I look fine. I really don't, and I can't button once loose blazers and cardigans, let alone pants.I don't really weigh myself, but I am up one pants/dress size, and can't button a particular blouse, so that will be my frame of reference.

I've been slowly eating better and eating less. Tonight I'm making vegetarian paella, and now I'm accountable to work out at least a little bit. Joey and I are both happier when we eat healthier and exercise, and we get better sleep. Now I just have to DO it. Ugh, the do-ing is so bo-ring.

All of that being said, and to change the subject... I just put my rank order list in the match. I can still change it, but it feels really good! I remember stuffing all of those envelopes and writing my essay, and hoping that programs would offer me interviews. I'm looking forward to match day at the end of January... and getting to that point minus a few extra lbs!

Have a great Monday everyone.

A good cause

So some of you might know that one of my areas of interest in pediatric dentistry is oral healthcare protocol and treatment of patients who have cancer, specifically long-term inpatients, and those who are post-treatment for their disease. During my residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital, part of my day was dedicated to examinations for adults with leukemia or lymphoma prior to their bone marrow transplants. We made sure that they did not have any current or forseeable odontogenic source of infection, because something like a dental abscess can kill a BMT patient post-transplant. As it is, around 30% of patients don't survive bone marrow transplants.
In any event, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a special place in my heart, and one of my best friends, Caitlin, is running a half-marathon in support of their cause. She's trying to raise around $3000, and if you can, it would make a huge difference if you could donate. She also has a hilarious blog that chronicles her endeavors as she trains for the race.

Here is the link:  http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/pfchangs11/ccrawfobyr

Thanks for your support.

On my mind this Thursday morning...

1. I'm done with interviews! and it feels so good
2. Its nice to be back at work
3. I hope if I send out a present tomorrow that I can still send it Priority Mail so that it gets to California in time for Christmas
4. I hope my next patient knows she's getting an impression for an occlusal guard
5. Christmas cookies at work are delicious and fun
6. I should probably work out when I get home
7. But I won't because I'll be too tired
8. I'm so glad I'm not getting on another plane anytime soon
9. I wonder if my afternoon patient is really a limited exam or if its an impression for her implant crown
10. I think I want to have a birthday brunch instead of birthday dinner.
11. Because I'm really more of a morning person.
12. I wonder where we'll live next year
13. I love Christmastime
14. I'm glad our Halloween decorations are finally put away
15. That's a good step forward in getting our house more festive for the appropriate holiday
16. I can't wait to see my grandma next week
17. I hope this post office isn't a zoo at lunchtime
18. But it will be
19. How come it seems everyone else is mailing crazy stuff that takes forever?
20. Its probably good to stop at 20, thats a nice even number.

Almost Done

I've been super MIA from the blog lately because I've been travelling a lot. I haven't even been at work in one of my offices since November 16th... hopefully they'll let me back in the building next week when I'm done interviewing.
The whole experience has been exciting, but tiring. At first it was exhausting because I would get SO nervous before each interview, so after the interview I would be completely worn out from getting myself so worked up beforehand, getting up crazy early, and reviewing everything I could about the program. Now its not so much that, but now I'm tired because I'm tired of travelling and ready to be back to my routine. I'm glad to be almost done, and SO glad that I had this many interviews. I know I was just complaining, but this tired feeling is a good one. I feel proud that I had a good number of interviews, and no matter what happens, I know that I did the best job I could... well, so far at least. One program left to go...
During my travels I had lots of time to sit and think, mostly while sitting in the airport at my gate, as I enjoy getting there extremely early. I've come up with a few observations that I hope the airport people will consider in order to make travelling even more enjoyable:

1. A bar and a bathroom near the gate area is a blessing
2. Bathroom doors should always open outward
3. It is unnecessary to remind boarding passengers how full the flight is, it just makes us even more crazy, shoving people down to get on the plane to assure a spot for our overhead carry-on. Ususally it isn't even that bad.
4. You can go ahead and graciously offer that older folks board ahead of you, (they rarely have large carry-ons.)
5. Ordering wine on the plane is generally a good idea, and I love when I'm reminded that its an option.

Well, that's all for now. I realize that most of this relates to alcohol and bathrooms, but well, aren't those the most pertinent aspects of travelling?

I'll be back on Wednesday, by the grace of God. Hopefully it stops pouring here so that I can get to KC. Cheers to Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday - Bits of Our Weekend