Burnt Teeth

I'd like to introduce you to someone who I will spend every Thursday afternoon with.

Isnt he cute?

And interesting fact... did you know that you could burn ivorine... Found that out via my high speed drill.  If I push down at all it burns the teeth.  And my bur.  Whoops.


Sadly, my preps are not cute.  My teacher told me he would write on my evaluation sheet they were clinically acceptable.  It didnt sound like a compliment coming out of his mouth.  Its weird knowing what it should look like.  And knowing you're doing it wrong, but not knowing how to make it better than it is.  Cause P.S. These preps suck.  

I guess I would say I was clinically challenged today.  First I forgot my good friend at home and had to run back to get him.  And then I kept tearing the dental dam because the first time around I punched the holes too small.  I'm sure with practice I'll get better... But secretly I still hate the people in the class whose looks good or better than mine.  But Brad... one of the married mormons ... totally burned me bad... We were walking out of the SLC together and he asked how my preps were... and I told him they were brutal.  And he goes "I guess some people are just naturally more gifted."  

... OUCH... That was kinda hurtful.  Its alright though.  Cause we finally got our ASDA school hoodies... and even though I'm terminally ill white... I love it.  

So I'll keep my chin up.  And try to show a little more natural talent next week. 

Baby Birds All Grown Up

I'm not sure when the transition occurred, but my baby brothers are now so wise.  Anytime I'm having issues (which is more than I'd like) I phone or email one of the two and they always know exactly

what to say.  

They tell it to me like it is.  But their pep talks are like none other.  

Just the perfect amount of "listening-encouragement-sympathy-kick-in-the-pants" to get me feeling like I can handle anything, as long 

as they believe I can.  

What they say is always so grown up.  Sometimes its hard to believe that they're having to tell me it at all. Doesnt matter that I have a solid two and four years on them.  They've become my two favorite people to

 get advice from.  

They're hella smart.  Both of them.  Makes me proud to be sharing the same gene pool.  These kids have got some major street smarts 

knowing whats up.  

And I think my favorite thing is that they arent too cool for their older sister.  They'll talk me off of any proverbial ledge without a moments hesitation.  And I love them for it.  

I think of you

Once upon a time, I was young.  I believed in magical beings and little people that lived on my skin.  I danced, sang and twirled.  But most of all, I believed in a love that truly could conquer all. Fairy tales were part of my everyday life.  My dreams were more reality. But as I grew, life became something real, something that could be brutal and cold.  And with age, my magical world became less shine and shimmer and more gray and dull.  And the magic, that had once surrounded me, faded.  I would stand in a room filled with people, unable to understand where the once great world had gone.  I would scream and find I made no sound.  And I grew tall, and began to not wonder at all.  I accepted the world for what it was.  My enchanting childhood was replaced by my cynical adulthood.  And it fit neatly into my now gray view of the world around me.

But one day, as I was walking through the faceless crowd, something caught my eye.  It filled my vision with brightness that I had forgot existed.  Its beauty was instantly intoxicating.  I weaved anxiously through the crowd, unable to get a clear view.  It hid and I could feel its enjoyment at my distress and urgency.  But I searched nonetheless. For that one quick view had sparked something deep inside that had been lost for so long.  I tried to step out from the crowd to get a better view.  To find what my heart had long been aching for.  But the crowd swirled around, thicker.  I turned around, trying to catch one more glimpse.  But it had disappeared from view.  But with that glimpse, instantly I was changed.  I couldn't go back to the life I had previously been satisfied by.  I realized in that brief moment that I wanted more.  And a life spent searching was better than one in ignorance.              

Dear Inspiration

I'm having a hard time putting into words the appreciation I feel for Portia Thompson.  I previously posted about a day I spent with Portia.  But I feel like more time spent with Portia deserves another post.  So I'll try to explain the best I can.

Maybe it'd be best to start with something simple.  

1.  Portia lets me intrude on her family whenever I have time to do so.  And she does so without a moments hesitation.  And for that I'm very grateful.  Because time spent with her family is truly some of my favorite moments in Boston.  Maybe I'm weird but I like being with people that have life figured out.  And Portia is so easy to relate to.  Even though we have completely different lives, I feel like Portia knows and understands me.  Its such a little thing, being willing to open your home to someone else.  And I'm sure that she is busy a lot of the time or its not really convenient, but she lets me tag along to her plans.

2.  She is probably the cutest mom I've ever seen.  I love how she interacts with her children.  They're well behaved kids to begin with (from lots of her influence I'm sure)... but she just is so attentive and kind.  Which brings me to my next point...

3.  She gives her full attention to every person she talks to and really cares.  She asks questions about my life, about my family, about things that matter to me.  But she doesnt just ask the questions... she listens for the answer.  And sometimes being in Boston is hard cause it feels like everyone who would "listen" to me is so far away... so its nice to have one person who I can talk to face to face and feel like they remember the tiny story I told last time we talked and the little details about my family that get forgotten/not mentioned, in the classic "small talk"... But the thing that really impresses me, is that she doesnt just act like this to me... she's like this with everyone.  People matter to her.  And sometimes it can feel like its so easy to fall through the cracks of the ward, but Portia seems to be able to "see" each individual.  She goes above and beyond the duties of any "Wife of the 1st counsellor".  I could see how it would be so easy to be distanced from the singles ward.  She's married, has kids... but she doesnt distance herself.  Instead she hosts little dessert parties so that people can gather and spend time socializing.  Seriously it is amazing all that she does.  

4.  There are many people that I would like to be like... But recently it feels like they're all far away.  So its nice to have a up close reminder of what I want to be like... with work of course.  She's like my favorite married people all rolled into one.  Or maybe she's her own entity... whatever it is I adore spending time with her.  Even if we're playing with the kids or building a piece of furniture.   Portia is at the "where I want to be in ten years"... married, kids, serving, happy.  

5.  She's not light on the compliments... I can't help but smile because every time I spend a moments time with Portia, she is just full of compliments.  I worry I get too much credit in her eyes.  But I cant help but want her to like me.  So maybe I'm on my best behaviour.  But generally I think its more that being around someone who is so good and generous, you can't help but have a little rubbed off on you.  

6.  Portia makes me want to hope.  I often tend to be quite realistic.  I'm not caught up in some fairy tale.  I know what my life is... and what it isnt.  I know what I am, and what I'm not.  But talking to Portia, being around her... she's just so dang positive that great things are coming my way.  I cant help but believe her.  She's just so honest and I know she really does think that, and her trust and faith and hope kinda give a little firmer backing to my own.  

7.  I love how integrated the gospel is in her everyday life.  I love hearing gospel comments come up in daily chatter.  I love that her kids are trained to close their eyes and fold their arms when a prayer happens.  It reminds me of saying prayers with Ryder.  Maybe I'm just missing my mormon shelteredness but I miss being able to say things and have people totally understand.  And not having to do the explaining.  I love being able to say I went to the Temple.  Or have someone tell me a story that starts with, I was reading in the scriptures or during our spiritual thought last night... I just miss little things like that.  

Portia seems to have figured out what the important things in life are.  She works hard and is smart and caring.  Sometimes I feel like the older I get, the less I'm able to carry conversations about nothing.  I want and need substance... and with Portia, she's all substance.  Anyways... I just am really grateful for Portia in my life.  She's a bit of home when I'm far away.  She's a reminder of where I'm heading... of my goals, my dreams, my aspirations.

PPB Crackalacs

+

So its late at night.  And I am HUNGRY!  But its one of those completely random hungers... But I think it has just led to an interesting combo... I think I remember Aunt Sher telling me once that Jeff's fav. sandwich was.... Peanut Butter and Pickle sandwiches (ok I'm just using soda crackers)... Which... Sounds crazy.  But tastes pretty dece.  And hopefully I'll feel the same way tomorrow morning.  But apparently pbs kids completely supports it... which means it must be good.  

But my last Physio test EVER... is on Thursday (well except when I have to do boards but I'm not counting that!).  And I am to say the least... very excited to be done with that.  So excited I'm having a hard time motivating myself to study for it.  Probably not a good combo.  Physio is totally one of those kryptonite classes that I just do not like and have a hard time remembering all the little details of "How the body works"... I know people make livings off of being physiologists but I just could not do it.  So I'm thinking that in order to put in the serious study time tomorrow (since I have no classes) I should provide an incentive... Maybe going out to a movie theater.. I havent done that in a long while and kinda miss the big screen experience.  Or there's always the treat at the grocery store trick... though that requires a trip to the grocery store... which I could use since my staple of cereal just isnt the same without milk.  

Its a tough call.

What I wouldnt give for a mexican getaway...

Today I really came to the realization that for the next ten weeks I have one or two tests per week.  

Ya... I just died inside a little bit.  

But I got an email from Matt.  And I had noticed I havent gotten much mail from him in the last month but hadnt thought too much about it, since we both are busy busy.  But when I got his email today, all the sudden I remembered how much I miss that kid.  

Matt and I have almost always been close... and I like to think that I knew how great he is long before the rest of the world came around to my view.  Cause he is.  

He can be crazy funny and neurotic.  

Cool and debonaire.

And just really funny.  I cant stress that point enough.

But my favorite is just that he's such a good kid.  I loved when he lived in Edmonton for a semester and we got to see each almost everyday.   Matt is just a really great brother.

Anytime I needed him he would be there for me.

He would share his friends and even when we fight... I still love him.

I know he's doing awesome on his mission.  Cause his emails are so wise and caring.  But I'll be excited for when he comes home so we can play and be BFF again.      

Class Acts

A Class Activty.

Starts so simply... All you need is the perfect pair of shoes.

Got that?

Check.

Add a little competitive spirit.  Between friends of course.

Maybe a GrlBy Faceoff... Where the girls win of course.

And everyone has fun not studying.

For real though... a class activity not focused on a bar... I will take that.  

We bowled... and just had fun hanging out.  I hung out with some of the EXCEL-lers I havent been around since our Summer classes.

Like Adar... she's adorable.  

And Christian, Salemah, Sybil and Mel C. 

Beth and Sara here are also some of my classmates... adorable... and really short.

Overall really great night.

Carve a little place for me...

Sometimes Fridays are the BEST day!  Ok... really mostly they're long and lots of classes but when I get to that Dental Anatomy Lab... Suddenly I get all zen and everything is good with the world.  Especially if its a good carving day.  And today was just such a day!
Now carving can be sorta awkward.  Because you start with nothing and have to make it look like something you would see if your mouth.  And the guy who does our demos is a freaking wizard with the wax-ups.  What takes me like two hours to get looking normal he just whips together like its nothing.  He's all "I'll just make those proximal contacts and put a little here and add to the tip"s... and suddenly its a fully functional looking tooth.   I try that... results arent quite the same.  And there are all these "real" dentists wandering around just in case we need help.  I like to at least have something to work with before I ask them... But for the most part they're trying not to get us discouraged so I often have to be like "Ya, it looks retarded.. how do I fix it?"

So I take what they say and make it into something remotely tooth like.  But my favorites are when I'm doing the carving and I'm in the zone and suddenly the tooth looks like a tooth.  Such a good feeling.  Makes me feel a little less pressure for when I'm actually doing the clinical stuff. Because while everyone, if they work hard enough, can do well at the didactic part of the curriculum... some people are just better at the clinical than others.    

My dad makes me a little nervous cause he's positive I'll really do well clinically.  But I worry sometimes.  So good carving days... they make me feel better. 

My only problem with carving is that it shows that I have TERRIBLE posture.

I'll work on that.

Secret Secret

So sometimes I'm a stalker.  I admit it.  I creep on people.  And I'm not ashamed.

But as such, sometimes I get to do kinda fun secret type things.  For instance, I was looking at my brother Dave's facebook page.  And saw that he was searching for the game "Nuke: The Last Board Game on Earth (1984)".  And I thought it might be fun to surprise him with the game.  So I took to my trusty internet and did my own search.  But let me tell you... Nuke is not a well known game.  Google barely recognized it and eBay and amazon had no clue.  I remember it from childhood as a game the "Big kids" would get to play in the attic room of my grandpa lowry's house.  But I wasnt often invited to such a gathering.  If I was really lucky they'd let me climb up the ladder and watch.  But only if I was really lucky.  

So I searched.  Hard for this game.  But every website that the game title linked me to didnt actually have the game.  It would just give me a speel about what the game was like.  

World Powers battle for control of the world using forces that include modern day tactical and nuclear weapons.  But watch out! Launch too many missiles and the Earth is plunged into a dark and cold Nuclear Winter!... and No one wins.

Good... but not quite what I was looking for.  

But then I came to an interesting website.  Full of magic missiles being sent into the darkness.

Welcome to the web site of Noble Knight Game, mail order experts in new and out-of-print Role Playing Games, War Games, Board Games and Miniatures!

And that is where I found it.  

 So this was the ONLY website that actually had the game.  And I went to check back today and it no longer has it.  But I conferred with Josh as to whether it was lame to send the gift to Dave secretly.  Or if I should let him know.  Cause I didnt have his address.  I kinda remembered it a bit... but that dang postal code is hard to make up.  But the thought of Dave's face when he opened it, not knowing where it came from, had me going back and forth.  But Josh assured me that he could get the address and Dave wouldnt think twice about it... and also that Dave wouldnt be able to find the game on his own.  So I went for it.

And today Dave got it.  Josh texted me and said Dave had called so I had Josh tell me Dave's reaction.  Cause I had them send it without the receipt so he wouldnt have any clue where it came from.  Like I had thought he had no idea where it came from.  But he was so excited he called Josh to let him know they were gonna play it.  And when Dave found out I sent it to him this is what he wrote me on facebook.

"You have now moved up the rankings from pretty solid to best ever!  You must have a horse shoe up your butt to have such serious luck!  What, you ask, am I referring to?  You may have a good idea.  Let me elaborate using a post I made in various places earlier today.

'I'm sitting here a little bit confused, grateful, and somewhat awestruck at the moment.  Just a few minutes ago the doorbell rang and I was delivered a package that was apparently sent from Wisconsin on the 9th of January.  In it a brand new copy of this very game that I posted on this board as well as on the Lethbridge and Area Swap N' Buy group board.  I can only assume that someone from here or there anonymously found, purchased and sent this game to me.  It's the only way that I can wrap my head around it.  Thank-you soooo much mystery individual.  I have looked for this game for several years in vain.  It carries with it precious memories and sentiment.  Whoever you are, you just made my new year!'

After a very minimal amount of digging and some very light interrogation of Josh (I dont want him holding any state secret behind enemy lines) I found out... IT WAS YOU! Mad credit to you and much thanks."

It woulda been fun for him to not know... but its also nice to hear that I moved up in the rankings.  I just love my family and want them to be completely and ridiculously happy.  So I'm really happy that I decided to keep that horse shoe around.  Hopefully it'll come in handy the next time I need it. 

Sometimes all you need is a letter...

... there were two young girls, Blonde and Brunette.  

 

They both decided to move to Edmontonialandia in their first year away from school and a magic organizer got them both to move into the same fairytale apartment and had them sharing a room.  Instantly they decided that they were perfect roommates for each other and became best friends.  But soon Blonde got swept off her feet by a charming Prince leaving Brunette to go about her daily life.  They stayed close but as the years and distance grew they forgot their instant connection and let their lives lead them apart.  And then one day Brunette remembered  Blonde and her fondness for her, and poured out via a letter the contents of her life.  The Blonde responded in such a manner that quite easily the Brunette remembered why they had stayed friends and why they would always be friends.  The end. 

But for real... I love getting letters/emails/facebook messages.  But the best is when you get a letter and you cant help but smile a real smile and laugh a real laugh at the contents held within.  There's just something really great about being able to feel like no matter the distance, or the time between talking, when I see that friend again it'll be like nothing changed.  The details of our lives will be different but the friendship we share will be unhampered by time.  And today I got such a letter.  It was perfect.