Because I've kept my heart under control

Parachute at Jefferson Theatre, Charlottesville, VA.

Adventures in dentistry

So it's been close to a month since the fall semester of my 3rd year started. Compared to last year, when I would regularly come home at 7 or 8pm working on projects (read: close to 12 hours per day at school... and then often having to study at home after), so far it's been eerily chill. Minus some appointments where I get spastic and crazy. But at least I come home at normal hours of the day now!

Yesterday I had a really good appointment. I gave my patient the cleaning of her life! It was one of those times that I really felt that I was truly understanding what I was doing and knew exactly how to achieve the results I wanted. Err... sorry patients' teeth that I have previously cleaned... I will do better next time! Plaque, calculus was flying all over the place. The best part was that she told me she always had a hard time getting numb, and even though I was prepared for the worst, she was anesthetized quickly/in one injection! She was pleasantly surprised. "I had dentists who had to get me to come in 30 minutes early because they always had trouble getting me numb." I felt like she gained more confidence and trust in me as her student dentist, and I also felt more confident after the appointment.

But then, today. Simple exam, but I just could not get it together! Even though I tried to be as prepared as possible, everything seemed to somehow take forever to do. Thankfully, my patient was, ahem, patient, and gracious about everything. I'm sure I looked like a crazy person running around everywhere and nervously asking if she was doing okay every five seconds.

So lots of highs and lows, but not bad so far. Not bad at all. SO FAR, being the operative phrase.

Watermelon Festival

Salted watermelon popsicles at RVA Watermelon Festival today with my new roomie! :)

Don't it feel like sunshine after all?

Fun weekend!


First, my dear friend H came home after being abroad for a looooong time, and I went up to Northern VA to help in a surprise party to welcome her back! It was so good to finally see each other in person again. Hopefully, being on the same continent will help us see each other more often. Love you, H! :)

Then tonight, I had the chance to see Jimmy Eat World! When I was a freshman in high school, their song "The Middle" started to become popular, and I was intrigued by this new type of music that I found myself connecting with. Before then, I was mainly listening to the likes of Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys (publicly, I was a staunch BSBer, but I secretly also liked N*Sync. The truth is now out!). In response to my interest in the band, this guy that I met in one of my classes that year gave me a burned CD of Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American. After one listen, I was hooked. So now I think of them as sort of the gateway to the type of music that I enjoy to this day, and they'll always have a place in my heart.

Honestly though, I kind of forgot about them in recent years, but going to see them reminded me of why I like them. Also, they are sooo good live. I would totally see them again, especially because there were so many songs that they didn't have time to play, but I would love to hear in concert at some point.

NYC, in pictures

The first couple of days, I stayed at the Millennium Hilton downtown, courtesy of my buddy who currently works in the Financial District. We had an amazing view from the room, and one of the new World Trade Centers is located right in front of the hotel.

On Thursday afternoon, my friends H and M and I went to go see Broadway performances at Bryant Park. I went last year, but it wasn't as good this time. In fact, some of the acts made me not want to go see them. Sorry, Charlies.

Two of my favorite peeps! Gratuitous photos of us hanging out in the Big Apple. :)

For lunch, we stopped at Ippudo's new location in Midtown. At first, I inhaled the ramen and could not get over how good it was (better than Totto, in my opinion). But later, the greasiness got the best of me. :( Still, I cannot deny how delicious it was when I ate it.. the rainy weather probably helped with my appetite for something warm and soupy. The ambiance of the place was clean and modern. AND PORK BUNS. WERE SO WONDERFUL.

The next day, we woke up before the crack of dawn to try to score some Jimmy Fallon show tickets. Unfortunately, we did not get to see the show, but it was a very close call. Sigh.. next time, Jimmy. I shall grace your audience with my presence!

Saturday, I had the chance to watch Cirque du Soleil in a VIP suite at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, thanks to my friend and her cousins. Twas nice! Felt so rich and VIP for a few hours. :)

And later that night, my friends and I participated in a 5K Glow Run at Citi Field in Queens. It was really fun, despite people not actually running during the race.

And for my last meal in NYC, Dominican food. Malecon! Oh man, if they made a restaurant near me I would be their loyalest customer. Plantains, yellow rice, yuca, roasted chicken.. mmm mm.

And that is the end of that trip! Good times with good people! Sorry for the lack of any kind of storytelling and/or transitions between pictures. It is what it is.