Fun!

I've been enjoying this time off with my baby at the park and at the pool.

developmental milestones

at 15 months my baby can:
• feed herself with hands
• attempt to use utensils unsuccessfully
• drink using a straw
• drink from a cup if I hold it
• hold a sippy cup by herself
• eats what we eat (food cut into small pieces)
• walk really well
• starting to run fast (only for a short distance)
• attempt to jump
• points to things and mumbles
• babble a lot
• will hand over something if you ask for it
• reads a book by herself (she'll flip through the pages and look at pictures)
• don't know if this is coincidence or not but imitates sounds when reading to her (moo moo, ruff ruff, dog, meow, baby, duck, panda, neigh)
• don't know if this is coincidence either but when reading to her she'll bring over the toy that I'm talking about (reading about a dog and she'll bring over the toy dog)

things she cannot do:
is not potty trained yet (next step!)
cannot communicate what she wants most of the time
brush teeth properly
and everything else

Summer break

It's so good to be on break right now. I'm really enjoying this much needed time off. It won't last long though; I still have summer school. I can't believe how fast time is flying by though. Spring semester is already over even though it doesn't feel like it started yet. I can't believe I already completed a year and only have another year to go!

Part One Summer:
Get my baby acquainted with other life forms (zoo animals, aquatic animals)

Second summer break:
visit Taiwan

Aww shucks!!

I was going to have my teeth professionally whitened by a second year student but it turns out I can't because I'm still nursing my baby. That's crazy but legit.

Maybe I can get it done next year by one of my fellow peers, that is if I'm not still nursing!

quick note re new year's resolution

I haven't been following my New Year's resolution at all. I'm already half through with the semester and nothing has changed except for keeping TV to a minimum. And that's only because I don't have time to watch TV anymore.

I'm not gaining weight, I'm not weaning my baby by summertime (currently bid AM and PM), and I'm not exercising either.

I did initially gain some weight but then lost it again. :( Still trying though!

Spring Break

Yes, I'm done with class right now! I can't believe this semester is already half over. School is so crazy; I don't even know how to explain it. I can't believe I'm just going in the mouth with tools and doing my thing. It's like I can't believe I'm actually doing this and knowing what I'm doing!
This semester, I already completed two patients in two appointments each and still have one patient pending who I should have finished in two appointments (I'll finish in the third appt). It's rare to complete patients in two appointments at my level (usually three, sometimes four), but I just feel very confident, maybe sometimes too confident for my own good.
After break, there will be eight more patient care days before I hit summer and go into summer school. I can't believe it... it's getting pretty intense. I will start seeing two patients a day, one day per week during the summer.

Almost there, about one year left and then I'm done!

Fridays are grueling

I used to look forward to Fridays only because it was the last day of school before the weekend hit. But now, I don't look forward to it much. I get out late and I'm nervous for half of the morning before I start my shift.
I wouldn't be surprised if I have a few ulcers at this age; it's probably all that stomach pain I've experienced while in clinic. Which oddly, seems to go away when my shift is done.
I feel like I need some anti-anxiety meds as well as something for a slight ADHD.

I'm just glad that today has come to an end.

instruments

These are the instruments I know how to use thus far.
From left to right:

probe
anterior explorer/Shepard's hook for cavity detection
posterior explorer

anterior area-specific curet
posterior area-specific curet for mesial surfaces
posterior area-specific curet for distal surfaces

posterior sickle scaler
anterior sickle scaler

mirror



Here's a closeup.

updates

• School starts on Jan 22; I'm not looking forward to it.
• I'm searching for a new phone. My current one always cuts out after 15 min.
• My New Year's Resolutions:
• Exercise on Thursdays
• Gain weight (preferably 112 lbs.) - I will do this by eating lots of Turkey sandwiches and yogurt in between meals. Any healthy but easy suggestions are welcome!
• Wean my baby by summertime.
• Keep TV to a minimum, only two shows per week (Lost and Moonlight). I will stop watching Lost if it becomes a totally different show.
  

Amazing!

I had a chance this past week to watch some of the second year students perform on patients who have advanced periodontal disease. I can't believe that from one year from now, I'll be doing exactly what they are doing. It was amazing to see them use the ultrasonic tool as well as the other manual tools. Well, I was more amazed to see lots of blood gushing out and splattering everywhere (and don't worry, they don't feel a thing because local anesthesia is given). I just wasn't expecting so much blood because I have never experienced that while working on any of my peers. I felt unprotected with just my mask and glasses because these students were wearing face shields over their masks and goggles (my teacher didn't warn us about how much splatter there was going to be).
I wasn't really bothered by the blood at all, but just shocked at how much these people bleed. What I am bothered by is giving anesthesia. I did not get a chance to see any of the students performing an injection. I hate needles and am scared of them. I don't know when I'll be taking this course either, but I will to get it over with.