A couple more hours to go

Bon Iver-Michicant

Bon Iver can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. Though I'm not in much of a ringing in the new year mood, this song sets the tone perfectly for me. Reflective of the year past, and quietly, peacefully entering the new.

When it comes down to it, all I can be is thankful.

Purge

I finally gathered up the energy and mental strength to clean out my childhood bedroom.

It's still a mess, but step one for me was to donate items that I no longer use or have outgrown, but are still usable.

This was mostly clothes, but I also gave away a huge trunkful of old books that I used to read.

I'm kinda sad about the books now. Earlier, I was excited about getting rid of all the clutter in my life, but the sentimental value of my former possessions is hitting me. I hope that they'll be well used and taken care of..

Meh. I'll get over it. If I don't think about it too much.

Farewell 2011

It's been a long year. It's funny how some years, I'll say "I can't believe it's already the new year!" but this time, January 2011 seems like eons ago. I could barely remember what I did back then, but after my yearly rummage through journal entries, it all came flooding back to me..

January
2011 started off ROUGH. A lot of insecurities manifested in me while dealing with school and work related stress.. I actually forgot that I worked this year until now. Being a dental assistant seems like a long time ago, or one of those things that I think "did I really do that?"

February
Still did not catch a break.. I'm sure that the winter season did not help, but I sunk into this depression that was again, partially work and school related.

"it's hard to talk about it with people, because they already know i've been "meh" since coming to richmond.. i'm afraid they'll just think it's just another shade of feeling the same.."

I didn't really talk to people about this, but I remember praying a lot this month. Looking back, I wonder if getting me to talk to God and depend on him again was the point.

March
A better month.. I went on a trip to Miami with two of my very good friends, so how could it not? :) And overall just mixing it up a little in my life..

April
Slugged through school and work, and entertained ideas of going to Korea and other opportunities.

May
With a sigh of relief, finished my D.5 year, bought a plane ticket to the motherland, and started wrapping up things at work.

June
Korea! I've exhausted this trip in this blog, but that month I got reacquainted with family members, and did a lot of touring and exploring with my mom.

July
Taught English for a couple of weeks. This is yet another gig where I'm like "was that for real?" I've had a lot of interesting jobs in my day. :)

August
Started D1 year. Sawed through body parts.

September-December
For now, a blur. The highlights, if any, will probably be more clear as the dust of my memory settles, but all I remember for now is studying a lot and testing a lot. And getting my bearings in school, but I still feel like I'm doing that. Actually, I did take a spontaneous trip to NYC a couple of weeks ago, and my little brother graduated this month so I suppose those are December's recap.

Around this time last year, 2011 was mostly a question mark. Beyond spring semester, I didn't know what I would be doing in the summer, or what dental school would officially be like. 2012 appears to be more predictable in those respects.. not to mention the looming end of the world in December.. just kidding.. or am I... hehe.

Season's greetings to all!

1 down, 7 to go

My first official semester of dental school is over.

The semester started off rocky. I was tense, anxious. As of right now, I feel comfortable. Neither hating nor loving school. I think I enjoy dentistry, but the unnecessary hoops that school makes me jump through, and the high school-esque atmosphere it harbors are things that I could live without.

Next semester seems daunting.. January 3 until mid-May. And then summer school right after. Then boards after that.

Guess I gotta get my rest while I can.

One more night until liberation..

Currently reading. Being the impatient cheapo that I am, going through chapters in between studying at Barnes and Noble. Actually, cheapo is uncalled for in this case.. I just dislike buying books that aren't favorites.

Reads just like Tina Fey's Bossypants, but I prefer this. It's more youthful and less jaded, but like Tina's, has the right amount of hilarious nerdy uncoolness that I totally get. :)

Afternoon study tunes

What! Kristy from the Babysitters' Club movie (one of my faves as a kid.. ain't no shame), at least the actress who played her, went to UVA and makes good music!

Schuyler Fisk-Hello

Go figure.

Maybe the key to happiness

is no sleep?

I am currently running on 2 hours of sleep in the past 36 hours, but I still say it was a good day. Took my test, finished lab for the semester!!!, ate lunch with my brother, gym, friend's graduation, out on the town! Because of my lack of sleep, everything was funny or pleasant. I just felt loosey goosey all day. I am still loosey goosey. But I am quickly crashing.. need to sleep and be energized for tomorrow!

Things I dislike

-That song "Falling Slowly" from that movie Once. The movie too, for that matter.
-When people spell "lose", "loose"! They are two different words, with two different meanings! They aren't even pronounced the same! It's one thing when it's done casually, but I don't know how many supposedly professional documents, power points, signs, etc. I've seen this happen in. Don't get it twisted!

That's all for now. More to come if I get bored again from studying. Finals 2011 y'all!

Busting out the winter clothes

From the Scotch & Soda lookbook. I am hearting each of these outfits! I'm especially drawn to the pops of red in those couple of photos.. currently one of my favorite colors. The layering is impeccable as well. Inspired.

Snacktime

One snack that I got really into this year was 꼬깔콘/kkokkal corn. I think it's essentially the same thing as American Bugles, but I haven't had Bugles for years so I can't accurately compare. I've known about these and eaten them since I was little, but for some reason they made a huge comeback in my life, out of all the snacks there are out there. And YES the kind matters.. I always get the 군옥수수/"barbecue" flavor. So good.. I try not to buy/eat chips, etc. because I have no self-control, and when it comes these, well, I have no self-control. There have been many a times when I gobble down the whole bag in one sitting. :( The small kind though!

And how are these eaten? With molars! Which I should be studying about at the moment. Test tomorrow!

Overheard at the gym

While walking up the stairs at the gym, I got caught behind a couple of guys.
Guy: *saying something odd about girls*
*pause*
Guy: There's totally a chick behind me isn't there.
Friend: Yep.
Guy: You're a horrible friend. I can't believe you just let me ramble on like that.

HAHA. I tried to keep a straight face, but didn't work.

Happy first full week of December!