Food...
It's midnight and I am having insane cravings for:
1. Coconut candy.
2. Sour cream and onion chips.
3. Pandan flavoured ice cream from Il Dolce Freddo.
Labels: Food
Widening
Am realizing that my winter eating habits is slowly but surely piling on the inches.
Not happy! I think my habit of coming back from uni and immediately searching for an after uni snack is a major culprit. And probably the vanilla soy milk. And the Nutrigrain.
Did a dietary analysis with my patient today and realized that if I did a dietary analysis on myself it would show that I eat 10 servings of sugar and no vegetables on many days.
Labels: Ramblings
Seething
So last week they sent us an email saying that our Primary care sessions have been cancelled for this Thursday and the next. Obviously, we rejoiced. Finally, instead of 9-5 everyday we get half a day off.
I happily went off to make plans for my Thursday afternoon, namely to have lunch with a friend and perhaps some shopping and banking. However, clearly it was not to be.
Last night they sent us an email saying they accidentally cancelled it thinking it was something else.
W.t.f.
You can't just cancel something and then just rudely snatch it away!! Things that are cancelled
stay cancelled. Do they honestly think we sit around waiting for classes to be rescheduled because there's nothing else more important in our lives??
Already in a bad temper, things got worse. Went home for a precious hour's lunch break in between treating children and but was called up just as I was going to eat a sandwich. Apparently one of my patients fainted and I had to do an incident report on it. Therefore, come back
right now and do it.
1. I wasn't even there when she fainted.
2. All I did was a scale and clean and a dietary analysis!!!
Didn't help when I got back and the patient's file was missing. Went into a tantrum (by tantrum I mean I was kicking and screaming inside my head, but outwardly forced to behave like an adult).
I hate it when my alone time is taken away from me.
Labels: Dental School, Life, Rants
No More Time Wasting
I've decided to take some time to write down what I do every 2 hours, just to get an idea of what I'm doing with myself with the 16 hours that I'm awake every day.
Have a sneaking suspicion it's going to be along the lines of:
8-10am = Get ready for uni and first half of GP session
10am-12pm = GP
12-2pm = Lunch and random internet surfing
2-5pm = GP
5-7pm = MSN and random internet surfing. Dinner.
7-9pm = MSN and more random internet surfing
9-11pm = MSN and even more random internet surfing
11-12pm = Reading non educational books e.g. fairy tales and chick lit.
End of day.
Labels: Life
*Hiccup*
Stuffed. Full. Of. Nutrigrain. Can't. Move. Why. Did. I. Do. Something. That. Stupid?
Labels: Food
Chace Crawford
Chace Crawford is so hot.
*slobber*
Labels: Hotties
Procrastination
As a person who is obsessed with punctuality and abhors tardiness, it seems strange that I should be so well-schooled in the art of procrastination.
My mom loves doing everything
right now and doesn't know why I can put off putting away a stack of books for several days. I guess it's just an evil habit that one has to break.
Hmm, I might procrastinate further now and read up
how to stop procrastinating before I get some work done...
Labels: Obsessions
Sunday Blues
It's Sunday yet again, with another week looming ahead.
I feel tired all the time nowadays. I'm not sure if it's psychological or I really do feel that way. Probably both.
The good news is that a clinic got cancelled on Thursday afternoon, which means I get to enjoy life a.k.a. go shopping. I've not done any shopping for at least a couple of months so I think it's a high time I splurge a little.
Am thinking of buying a set of towels.
Yes. Towels. The thicker and fluffier the better.
Labels: Life
In Love
My cousin told me that one of the perks of her job is that she gets free stuff sometimes, and one of the things she got was this:
I am
so jealous!! It's studded with Swarovski crystals and it's a 1GB thumb drive. She got the padlock one which is lovely, but I personally have been won over by the heart shaped one. So pretty!!!
It's outrageously priced. So outrageous that even I have to put my foot down on this one. But really - by far the most beautiful thumb drive I have ever seen.
Labels: Obsessions
Dental Girl is... What?!
My mom called me and said she had a funny story to tell me. Turns out she was lunching with some of her friends when one of them asked her confidentially:
Friend: So, does Dental Girl have a boyfriend now?
Mom: Not that I know of... unless she's been hiding one.
Friend: Ah well, no hurry. But....I know someone who might be suitable for her. *matchmaking tone*
Mom: Who?
Friend: Mrs X's son!
Mom: ........... What makes you think they'll be good together?
Friend: Well, I was spoke to him recently about her and he seemed to admire her personality and sensibility.
Mom: .....
Sensibility??
Friend: Yes. Sensibility.
I cracked up.
My mom then asked me sarcastically what sensible acts have I been up to lately. I said I couldn't think of any. I wouldn't say that I'm
not sensible, but I just don't think it's the primary adjective to describe me.
Who is Mrs X's son? Don't ask, because I'm not telling!
Labels: Life
Dreams
It's amazing what your mind can formulate when you are asleep.
Had the best dream ever last night - my life was everything I wanted it to be, down to where I lived, the places I went to, the food I ate... it was sheer bliss. I knew it was a dream and frantically tried to prolong it for as long as possible.
Then I woke up to the harsh cold morning in Melbourne, shivering.
It was good while it lasted.
Labels: Ramblings
Mail
The day I decided to stream all my email addresses into Mail for Mac was one of the best days of my life.
Sure, it took me 2 hours to get everything up and running but now I feel that my life is so much easier!
Every time a new mail comes in it shows up on my task bar and every time I send mail out it leaves with a whooshing sound. I love love love it!!
The only small aggravation is the fact that Yahoo! doesn't allow non-pro users to link their mailbox up to stuff like this. Very aggravated. Am going to leave Yahoo! and make my Gmail my primary address instead.
Labels: Obsessions
Homesick
Have been getting sudden urges to drink Horlicks (do they have it here? I never go down the drinks aisle when I go grocery shopping) and curl up in bed with oranges and a good book.
And eat half boiled eggs boiled
exactly right. My dad had the horrendous task of making my soft boiled eggs when I was young (kindy age). If he accidentally broke the yolk when he cracked the egg into the bowl I'd get upset. If it was overdone or underdone, I'd get upset. Yes, I was a brat when it came to my eggs. Now I have
no half boiled eggs, broken or unbroken yolk, underdone or overdone! *tears*
And walking to the pasar malam on Wednesdays with my childhood friends to buy Ramlee burgers, taufu fa and all sorts of sugary goodies (contributors to my caries, no doubt). And assam flavoured ice cream! Am I the only person who remembers it? Everyone insists they don't remember that in their childhood. Did I just make it up?
I miss home!!!
Labels: Life
Again and again...
Am listening to these songs in repeat:
1. Tear and Rain - James Blunt
2. I'm Yours - Jason Marz
3. Heartbreaker - Will.I.Am.
Labels: Obsessions
So This Is Where You've Been
Decided that I should pull myself together and and decided to start with by seriously cleaning up my room. Not a throw everything into a drawer so that my table is neat cleanup - a proper scrutinize everything and put it in its exact place cleanup.
Emptied my entire closet and was inundated with all sorts of things that I had forgotten I even had.
I now know I won't have to buy any moisturizers, shower gel, cosmetics and tissue paper for at least 2 years. I have a huge stock pile of them sitting in my closet.
Am also surprised at the number of books and stationery I have acquired over the years. And craft materials!!
I shudder at the thought of moving at the end of the year.
Labels: My Organized Life
Cuspal Coverage
I've never fractured an amalgam before.
While I was tightening the toffelmire band around the tooth a fleeting thought crossed my mind,' I wonder why amalgam fractures?'
Spent the next one and a half hours packing amalgam, carving it and ending up with a fracture. Twice.
From now on, I'll be thinking about puppies and rainbows when I do dentistry.
Labels: Dental School
Disillusioned
I've been going through my blog, reading old posts.
I realize now how much I cared about material goods then. It seemed almost a driving force in my life.
Don't get me wrong - I still love nice things even now. But in a different way.
Buying an item used to send me into the heights of euphoria. After a successful shopping day I could lie in bed and look at all my purchases and be absolutely happy. For that time. Then the next day my life would be back to what it was before. Yes - I was guilty of retail therapy. Not anymore.
Now I buy things for the experience. For example, the pleasure of sleeping on good quality bedsheets and writing with a perfectly balanced pen is something I believe is worth spending money on. However, they are just comforts in life - they cannot and will never give me happiness.
Why so blue? I'm disillusioned.
Labels: Ramblings
A Real Man
A friend got exasperated and said,"You talk too much about what constitutes a
real man. You do realize he does not exist, right?"
I've been wanting to write on this subject for a long time, but as it is a rather delicate topic, I've been putting it off, fearing to offend someone who might take it personally. So before I delve deeper into this subject, I must state here and now that I do not consider myself a
real woman, and that in no way am I saying that I'm better than anyone or anything like that. I'm just outlining what an ideal man would be like
in my opinion. Some other people will have other ideas, I'm sure.
Firstly, I know several guys that I would classify as
real men, which means they
do exist - in very limited quantities. Secondly, if you are not a real man now doesn't mean you can't become one in the future - I have seen guys grow into real men over the years.
So. What is a
real man by my definition?
My non-serious requirement is that he must know how to fly a kite. In reality, that's pretty low on the priority list. There are lots of other more important things.
1.
IntegrityI guess the easy way to say it would be someone who is a nice and honest guy. Not niceness to people he likes, but particularly to people he dislikes. In my opinion if you want to know what kind of person you're with, just listen and watch how he treats the waiter or the people around him.
We were at my apartment one day and on one of the doors, a notice was stuck telling the tenants that the property managers would like to have inspect their apartment at such-and-such a date. My friend ripped off the notice and threw it away.
"Why did you do that?" I asked, slowly.
"For fun." He chortled.
Not a real man.
2.
HumilityConfidence is one thing, arrogance another. The real men that I have met are willing to listen to criticism, admit that they're wrong and most importantly -
change. For example, if your friend says you really need to stop boasting about your accomplishments, consider if it's true before just ignoring the statement and refusing to address it.
3.
ProtectiveA real man would not hesitate to ensure a woman is well cared for. Period. Maybe feminists out there are probably outraged that I would even suggest that women need protection and care, but this is my opinion.
One of my most memorable occasions was when I was at a chinese dinner seated with strangers. The guy next to me took it upon himself to make sure that I could get all the food that was on the table. When he asked me if I wanted some prawns, I declined (as many of you know, I do not eat seafood). He didn't know that and said,"Is it because you don't want to peel the prawn? Because I know lots of people avoid eating prawns because of it. If that's the problem, I'll peel it for you."
So yes. Walk the girl home. Hold the door open. Get rid of that inquisitive spider in her bedroom. Help her move her bookcase. If you go to the gym and spend hours lifting weights, surely that isn't too much to ask? If the girl says, "No, wth do you not think I can do it myself???" at least you offered - which is all that you have to do.
4.
To pay or not to payThis is one of the most highly contested subjects. Many a heated discussion has transpired over this. When a girl and a guy goes out - how does the bill get split?
As friends I think going dutch is perfectly acceptable, although I have had friends who will not let a girl pay, even in a friendly outing. I guess it really depends on what culture the person was brought up in. But in general, if you're just friends, going dutch doesn't make one lose one's manhood.
But if it's a first date and you intend to pursue the girl further, not taking up the tab is going to suggest to the girl that you just want to be friends and her company is not worth whatever her share of the tab is.
"I just want to make sure she's not taking advantage of me."
"I don't want give her the idea that by paying the first time I will be paying forever."
If she's what you thought she was (a nice person, which I am assuming is the reason why you decided to go after her), she'll probably offer to pick up the tab the next date or the date after. If she doesn't, blame your poor judgement.
That's the main general idea. I guess guys reading this are now thinking, "It's all very well that you expect us to be such-and-such, but why do guys have to soldier on with all these ridiculous requirements? What do we get out of it? And what about girls?? Don't they have to do something too?"
Well, for one you will be respected and trusted for it. No girl that has been treated well will ever forget it. Similarly, it's probably unlikely that a girl will forget a negative experience.
Secondly, of course girls have to do things too. Points no.1 and 2 are equally applicable to both men and women. What's no.3? I'm not particularly sure.
Perhaps a guy can come up with his list of what makes a
real woman and enlighten us all.
Labels: Ramblings
CPR
So we had to go through our CPR training as we have had to do every 2 years since we were in 1st year.
The session went half an hour overtime. It could have
easily been half an hour undertime if the instructor just gave us all a break and just taught us how to do what we're supposed to do, instead of talking about the taxation system and CPR jokes. Save them for CPR conferences!
Good news is, it's the weekend now. Going to curl up in bed and read
Eragon.
Labels: Dental School, Life
Simple Pleasures
1.
Vitasoy Lush Vanilla Soy Milk - I gave it a rave review 2 years ago, and I'll give it a rave review again! I love it so much it's one of the few caloried drinks I consume.
2.
Comfortable shoes - I've been wearing the same pair of shoes since the beginning of the year about 95% of the time because they're comfortable and clinic acceptable. The other 5% of the time I choose vanity over comfort.
3.
Pen and paper - I have a notebook specifically for writing down irrational and crazy thoughts while I ponder over things. Very helpful. Once things are down on paper one tends to look at things a little bit more objectively.
4.
Questionable Content - Favourite web comic. Ever.
5.
Strategic Light Switch Position - Once I'm in bed I absolutely detest having to get up to switch off the light when I finally want to go to sleep. Worked my way around it by moving my bed near a plug point and using a bedside lamp to read at night. Now I just roll over and flick the lights off. Bliss.
Labels: Lists
Snowflakes
So turns out the package I received was actually sent
6 months ago. It's a miracle that they managed to deliver it to me in one piece after such a long time.
I mentioned to the sender a very very long time ago (at least 3 years) that I really like the idea of having a snowflake pendant. Very soon after that I received one for my birthday, effectively fulfilling my wish. However, I was gifted
another one far more delicate in this package, together with matching earrings.
Thanks so much - you've made my week more bearable.
Labels: Ramblings
The First Time
For the first time in my life, I pumped petrol into a car.
Yes - the shameful truth is that although I've been driving for 6 years now, this is the first time I've had to do it. Back home I'd just tell my dad 'Uhh....I think the car is low on petrol...' and the next day it would be magically topped up.
Having no such luxury here, I had to learn how to do it. Really not as complex as I thought it would be.
Received a Louis Vuitton catalogue in the mail a couple of weeks ago but have only had time to look at it today (Yes, that's how stressed out I have been - to the point that even a book full of nice things did not attract me!) and it has now invoked in me a mild interest in one of their small zipped wallet/coin purse thingies.
I say
mild interest because... I don't know. I guess I could live without it, but it would be nice if it was in my life. That sort of feeling.
Labels: Life
Truthfully
The truth is I'm a very selfish person.
Most of the time I push myself to do the 'right' unselfish thing but inside I'm burning with displeasure. Which pretty much means that I do not have the spirit of giving - I force myself to do what is right.
How does one cultivate a giving heart?
Labels: Life
Troubled Mind
I've been feeling very unsettled for the past couple of weeks.
Was reading past posts on this blog and my previous one and realized I have changed over the past couple of years. I was a very angry person throughout 3rd year and most of the 4th. There were a lot of things that I couldn't get over. There are also a lot of things that were left unsaid. In fact,
still left unsaid.
After all, this blog is just a superficial version of what's actually happening in my life.
Was feeling so troubled that I went to church on a Saturday night instead of Sunday morning to try to make sense of my life right now.
My Jesus is able to calm the seas when they rage
My God is the answer in my weakness - He reigns Now I have this song stuck in my head and I can't find the title.
Anyone?
Labels: Lyrics, Ramblings
Pleasant Surprise
Getting a phone call on a Friday morning isn't very usual.
Lady: Is that Dental Girl?
Me: Yes?
Lady: There's a package here at the airport for you.
Me: Really? Where is it from?
Lady: Japan.
Anyway, turns out it was sent to my previous address and so the package was on its way back to the sender. However, they made one last attempt to get hold of me.
Totally unexpected!! Thanks to the sender if you're reading this. Looking forward to getting it on Monday.
Labels: Ramblings
Extreme Happiness
Since the beginning of the year I've been praying for a good case presentation to come along.
I wanted someone who was reliable, had some perio and needed a couple of fillings and maybe a crown.
Week by week I was repeatedly disappointed. Either my patients lived in Nagambie or they only need one crown or they were just plain disinterested when it came to their oral health.
Until today.
This lady came in and imagine my extreme delight when I saw 2 fractured amalgams, a carious 23D and
a tooth that has already been prepped for a crown but not yet crowned and mild localized perio.
Everything I ever wanted in a patient! I don't even need to do a crown prep!!
It doesn't get better than this.
Labels: Dental School
Dessert Pot Luck
There's a dessert pot luck this weekend and as usual I'm struggling to decide what to make for the occasion.
I have a few ideas but all seem rather... mediocre.
I can't even decide if I'm going to bake a cake or cookies or bars or cupcakes!
I guess I can always tell how good/bad my life is depending on what's the biggest worry on my mind. Usually when it gets down to frivolous things like this, I know life has been kind.
Thankfully.
Labels: Life
Monday. Tuesday.
In the past 24 hours I have taken 10 impressions, only one satisfactory.
10% success rate.
I
can't do it anymore. I
can't get another tube of PVS (I actually cleaned out the stock, can you believe it), I
can't pack the retraction cord in again, can't sit the patient up and tell her she has to go through it again, can't pull off the failed impression and spread
more tray adhesive onto the tray. Just can't do it.
Yet as I say this, tomorrow I
have to do it again.
Was getting increasingly frustrated working when my friend walked up to me.
Friend: Are you busy right now?
Me: I'm in -
Wanted to say
hell but couldn't actually say that out loud in front of the patient.
Me: I'm in - in - I'm really busy right now!!!!
The demonstrator told me what doesn't break me will only make me stronger. That this insane failure rate will one day make me a great impression taker.
Maybe. But right now I just want to quit dentistry and become a professional tea party organizer.
Labels: Dental School, Life
Rafael Nadal
So he finally won Wimbledon!!!
I was so excited, although I didn't get to watch the end of the match because it was just too late. I guess it's better for me that I didn't because the last 2 sets would probably have stressed me out too much.
Anyway - if it was possible to escape the knowledge that I am a massive fan of Rafa, escape no longer.
He has the arms of a bricklayer, he's a deep sea fisherman
and a professional tennis player. So maybe his face isn't the most symmetrical - my brother always teases me and says he looks like Little Nicky.
I don't care.
Labels: Obsessions
French Earl Grey Tea
Bought some French Earl Grey tea today.
Got home, hurriedly set some water to boil and brewed a cup of tea. Then proceeded to watch Two Weeks Notice with said tea and a ham, cheese and sundried tomato sandwich.
Love this version of Earl Grey!!
When I first tried classic Earl Grey, I thought it was good.
When I tried Lady Grey I thought it was better than Earl Grey, making it my new favourite.
Now I've tried French Earl Grey and it has surpassed the other two!
Would love to have another cup but fear the caffeine will affect my sleep tonight. Looking forward to tomorrow.
Labels: Food, Obsessions
Croquembouche Cupcakes
Decided to spend my Friday night baking. Looked for the most complicated cupcake recipe I could find and whipped this up:
A vanilla butter cupcake filled with custard (made from scratch) and topped with mini profiteroles (also from scratch), which was held together with melted chocolate.
Thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Labels: Food
Food Cravings
Borrowed a stack of cooking books and magazines from the library and am now seized with the desire to cook everything and anything!
I still have a few undecorated cupcakes sitting around the house that are just waiting for be dressed up for an occasion. Problem is, I have no butter, no cream and no milk. And almost no sugar.
I shall set away tomorrow night (yes, on Friday night I stay at home alone and bake) to amuse myself in the kitchen cooking away.
Can't wait.
Labels: Life
Nutella Overdose
Without 12A and 13A clamps, I cannot clamp molars. Especially if they're molars in
children.
After unsuccessfully trying to place rubber dam on a child with 2 different clamps, I got the demonstrator to come and help me. He also, failed.
Father of the child started to doubt my ability as a dentist and asked the demonstrator if I was up for the job. Demonstrator assured him I wasn't an idiot.
Tried to place the sealant on with cotton roll isolation. Child's opening was
1 cm. I do not exaggerate. That's the width of my finger. Yes, that's right. That little brat was biting on me the whole time!
"Could you please open a little wider? I just need 3 minutes, alright?" I asked in my best paeds sing-song voice.
Nope.
Placed an okay sealant but missed the palatal side of it because I couldn't actually see what the hell was going on in there. Demonstrator said I should just do a separate seal there. I nodded.
Father then said that he would really prefer it if the demonstrator did it, because "She doesn't look confident and she's not qualified."
Demonstrator: Well, she's learning but she's perfectly competent. I'm sure she can do it.
Father: My son is not an experiment, he's a boy!
Demonstrator: Well, if you really don't want her to do it you can go back onto the waiting list for a paediatric dentist.
Father: *mumble grumble*
In the end he said he'd rather wait, because "I don't want you to hurt him."
Because asking your son to not bite on my fingers translates to hurting him!
I'M the one who's hurt, &*@#(@!
Got home and ate half a bottle of Nutella. Was just absolutely fed up that I am actually
paying to be treated like this.
Labels: Dental School
Choice
Last Sunday I went to church for the first time in maybe 2-3 months and was told about choice.
In almost everything in life, we have a choice. It's a matter of being brave enough to make them, especially the tough ones.
Too true.
Labels: Life
