Boston Sunshine

What I did this summer

2011-08-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

We had some major changes this summer - so without further ado, lets recap, shall we?

Joey graduated and is now a real live periodontist.

We celebrated with family and friends. I barely had any pictures because during the graduation party people were actually coming to buy our furniture off of Craigslist. It was a little hectic. I wish I had photos with Mara and Jen!

I'm glad I at least have this photo with my fam - taken with my iphone, although it is sans Joey.

We ended up moving our mattress ourselves to Everett because well, its a long boring story.

Anywho - one near miss of getting on Storrow Drive in an extra-large U-Haul (the only size they had,) we we sold our mattress (at a loss.) Live and learn people, live and learn.

Then we were off to France...

We had a wonderful time in Paris, La Boulle, Barcelona and Cadaques. I can't wait to go back.

We drove my my health center one more time

Shortly after returning from our trip we were off to Texas. We stayed overnight with Grandma, which was a huge blessing since our movers turned out to not actually be movers and were subcontracted to pick up our stuff and move it to a warehouse - but wouldn't take all of our things because it wasn't on their list. Da-saas-tah. We had to unpack our subaru to take the big things (living room carpet) to UPS so they could ship them. Thank god they were still open. I heart you always UPS. So that being said, we had to say goodbye to our apartment and hit the road to CT.

ANYway.... I got to see my grandma again (even though it was just for a little while:( since we got in at midnight,) and ship a few more boxes via USPS the next morning ... and we were off. You guys should have SEEN our car on the way to Connecticut before we shipped those extra boxes. Then we had to repack it the next day. I'm saying - "dining room chair in the back ON PRINCIPLE because the movers wouldn't take it and it was going to cost a fortune to ship" kind of packing, and we could still see out the back window (about 90%.) I will say, I learned how to REALLY pack a car, people. If you need a consultant in this arena I will be happy to help you anytime.

We made it to Roanoke, VA the first night. Not too shabby! Joey super loved the Sleep Inn Suites. I'm not kidding, he still talks about it. We enjoyed some of the roadside cuisine...

And by the end of day 2 we made it to Memphis. We Pricelined a hotel, (which I DON'T advocate by the way-Joey made me,) and I grudgingly accepted that "we got a great deal on a 4-star hotel." Fine, its true. THIS TIME Priceline.

We got some Memphis BBQ...

Yum!

And we listened to some jazz on Beale St.

And then we we woke up the next morning for the final leg of our trip. We knew we were back in Texas when we saw the state and stars all over the highway. (And also it felt like our AC stopped working as well because we had to turn the dial up higher than it had ever been...)

And then we crossed the Dallas County line

And then we saw the skyine...

And we were home.

We got our cat back.

I started my program and we got a new dog.

And here we are. Joey takes his boards on Tuesday and starts work on Wednesday. I love my life right now. That being said, I miss my grandma and my family in friends in the northeast, and sometimes I feel so far away from them that I get a lump in my throat. This is a hard last post to write. I wish I could have everyone I love close to me all of the time. And having spent the last 6 out of 10 years in Boston - it makes me feel like I'm missing my other home.

It is good to be back in Texas, near my parents, living with my husband and our little animal family...and at Baylor in my residency. Life is pretty good people, I have to say.

I've started a new blog, its called Superficial Sunday. Its (supposed to be) about cosmetics, hair products, and looks I love and have tried. We'll see where it goes. I'm going to try to update it every Sunday, hence the name. I hope you all like it. I'll miss writing on this blog. Thank you all for for reading.

Lots of love, E

Like all good things...

2011-08-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I'm just going to cut to the chase. I'm not going to continue this blog. Just writing that makes me verklempt. Seriously, I have a lump in my throat. Also, I did NOT know that verklempt was spelled with a "k". Ah blog, you're still teaching me new things.
Initially when we moved down here I was overwhelmed with excitement and the beginning of so many new things. Now that we're more settled I've had time to reflect on this big change, and this week has had its share of many teary eyed moments. I miss a lot of things about Boston, and undoubtedly what I miss most is seeing my friends. Mara, Brianna, Jen, Becky - I miss you guys so much. I can't even go on about it. Thanks for being there for me all the time. Becky you must have heard me say "I'VE HAD IT!" about 327 times about our crazy office. I'll never forget when we found the Sugar Bowl and you bought me a turkey sandwich. I miss you, Ms. Go-To Fix-it lady. And Mara, thanks for always listening to me. I miss talking to you just about everyday about everything. I wish I was there to see Harper and how big he must be today. I think of you everytime I drink out of my Boston glasses, and lots of other times too. And Jen! I wish we could meet for trivia and catch up on the happenings at MGH and life. I wish I could say the Leopard Snuggies went out on top, but I guess I could say we might come back someday and reclaim that 3rd place prize we got that one time. I know all three of you gals are and will be the best moms. I can't wait to see baby Charlotte and baby boy Felices. Brianna lady, I miss you like the dickens. I hope you and Boo love your new place with Whit and Rico. I wish I could give you a big hug.
I also miss being so close to my grandma. I can't even talk about it. I can't wait to go back to Connecticut to visit, for real.
For all the difficulty with the change I really do love my life in Dallas. I get up everyday and I am so happy to go to my residency program. I'm not exaggerating. Everyday I am grateful. I've wanted this for so long, and I can't believe I'm able to train at such a great program. I've learned so much in the few months I've been here. As far as Dallas goes, I love my life here with Joey. Leon has adjusted and remembers we're his parents now, which is a bonus. And I love having my little dog. Plus I'm closer to my parents which is extra wonderful. There's not much more I could ask for out of life.
So I'll probably have one more post to close it up, and that will do it. I'm starting a new blog that I'll link to next time, it will be a little different but probably a lot the same. I love you readers, a lot. Thanks for reading.

A Tiny New Addition

2011-07-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

Howdy y'all!! Things have been a little crazy around here because, well - we've welcomed a new Laborde into our homes.

Our new puppy Rudy! And if you're wondering, why YES, I did get the idea to name him Rudy from our dear friends the Browns. See, I have always felt that if ever I was unsure in any situation, it was always best to do what my friend Emily did. And that logic never led me astray. And to clarify, and make a long story longer, they have a dog named Rudy. Thanks Brownies! I hope you don't mind the blatant copying.

And let me tell you, he is just one little ball or adorable happiness.

Why yes he IS a golden doodle, (miniature,) and my dreams HAVE come true! And yes we DID get him off Craigslist in a pseudo-rescue situation... which was my husband's stipulation for such a dog. And they're getting along just swell.

And if you're wondering how our Leon is doing with the new addition?

I'd give it a solid "eh." But well, Leon is a cat, and if we did everything Leon wanted we'd live outside and eat bugs.

He'll come around in a few weeks. Until then they're more or less peacefully coexisting. Rudy is so precious and I'm so happy he's part of our family. Happy 4th of July everyone!

We're Texans again y'all!

2011-06-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! Its my first blog post from Texas! And no I haven't changed the name of my blog because 1) it makes me sad, and 2) I'm lazy.
I also haven't been writing on the blog since I've been here, mostly for the same reasons. Also because we had the movers from hell and we couldn't leave Boston for the last minute and I started my program right after we got in two weeks ago. Moving is horrible. Horrible horrible horrible. And anyone that says any different is no friend of mine. They should hang out with the people that don't swear and smile constantly.
But we are here, and I have to say, its good to be back. One thing though people... the heat. Oh hellfire and damnation, the HEAT. Today it was one hundred degrees. ONE HUNDRED DEGREES. Its been about the same since we arrived. Aside from that though, its been good. We got to hang out with our friends the Todds (2 guys named Todd that are near and dear to us,) my good gal pal Ali, and we had dinner and drinks with our friends Sean and Haley last weekend. Its so good to see them all again. I can't explain it, but its like it makes my heart feel good to see our good friends that we haven't seen in awhile, and without the rush of a weekend home from Boston trying to see as many people as possible in 1-2 days. I'm still missing my best gal-pal Haify, but hopefully I'll get to see her soon.
I love my program, my co-residents are great, non-gunner-ish well adjusted people. And funny enough every single person in my class is married, all 11 of us. And there are only 3 girls, which is sort of unusual for a pediatric dentistry program. The other two girls are awesome and thusly we band together against the testosterone. Seriously though, all of the guys are really great too. We're still mostly in orientation mode and starting to transition into the various hospitals and community clinics where we'll be working, so they're trying to go easy on us in the beginning. It seems like its going to be challenging, so I'm looking forward to it. I have to admit though, I'm a little intimidated about working at some sites because the patients there are very fragile. Thankfully we have wonderful attendings and experienced staff. The other day a patient I was working with in one of the hospitals started to cry. Usually I have a mental behavior management flowchart to follow for when that happens while I'm working with kids, but let me tell you, its different when its not a typical child. I sort of felt sorry for her when she came in because of her condition, and I froze when she got upset. My heart broke. I was like, God, doesn't she have to deal with enough crap and now she's scared in my chair. Thankfully the dental assistant was the bomb and talked her out of her worries and we finished up no problem. I have to get a handle on myself and not pity these patients. They don't need my pity, they need me to be their dentist. And that's about all I have to say about that.
Anyway y'all, its good to be back on the blog. More to come on the move and our current events. I hope you're all having a great week.

On my mind this moving day

2011-06-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

So today we're moving, one way or another. The movers are supposed to come between 12 and 4, so I'm trying to do really productive things like write blog posts and think about the most precious little babe I saw yesterday, my good friend Mara's newborn baby boy, Harper Aaron. Words seriously can't express how perfect and beautiful he is. And how awesome is the name Harper Aaron? LOVE. Joey held him and it was so cute/funny because he'd never held a baby. I figured a hospital setting with a lot of supervision was a good place to start. Joey kept saying "whoa, this is fun," in a soft voice. And Mara is a natural. I would be like, "do you have his HEAD?!" and be anxiously hovering over everyone, but she was laid back and already a wonderful mom. No wonder he was such a content little guy. Seriously, I have to stop because I don't even have Mara's permission to be talking about her child. Sorry Mara, I can't help it!
Alrighty, on my mind this moving day...
*the "going in the car" pile seems to be getting a little ambitious
* if the movers don't show up we'll get a U-Haul trailer
* but I super hope they come because I've freaked all the freak I have already over this move...
* I hope we get the list of things done before the movers come
* so Joey needs to get back from his jog
* and I'm not much better writing blog posts when I should be randomly scurrying all over my apartment
* I love being home during the day on weekdays
* because I love watching Ellen at 9am, its my favorite
* speaking of that we have to somehow get rid of this TV
* I met a boy last night that had on $1200 jeans (not Harper)
* he was strange
* alrighty, I really do need to pack up
* I guess this is my last post from Boston, which is bittersweet
* I'll miss you Boston

Um, can you say copycat?

2011-06-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not necessarily accusing anyone just YET, but I mean, I think the beginning of her makeup blog sounds eerily familiar.

and WHAT about tinted moisturizer not lasting?! This saddens me, as someone who wears that under the impression she didn't need a lot on her face. I obviously need all of this makeup. I swear, I think I DO get more high maintenance everyday. And I'm going to name my looks too, like the "the grocery store," and "I'm a dentist."

We're Back!

2011-06-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

We're back from France and Spain and it was amazing. I love love loved it. I was hoping some of the culture would rub off on me but alas, here I am googling "how to do your eye make-up like a Kardashian." It also seems like we'll be in Boston a few more days since our movers aren't coming until Wednesday. We've already sold all of our furniture besides a dresser, desk, and end tables that we're moving to Texas, so its kind of a weird set-up in this heezy. We're back to hanging out on our blown up air mattress in the middle of our living room, which is oddly enough just how we started out here in Boston so I guess we've come full circle. Ah, such is life.
Anywho, I'll post some pictures of the trip soon. Although it was fantastic to get away, it feels good to be back.

Last Boston Week

2011-05-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

This week was Joey's graduation, and I'm so proud of him. More details about that to come. This week we posted furniture on Craigslist, packed, arranged movers, went to graduation events and graduation (YAY!) and spent time with our family who came from far and wide to celebrate with us. We topped it off with a graduation party last night. It was great to see everyone, and get to say good-bye... and more on that in a bit. Right now I feel a bit like this here dog:

Happy Saturday!

How to be vain and superficial at work

2011-05-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

Well, lots of people have been asking me about my make-up routine, so I thought I'd just write a blog post about it. Or not really at all. No one has ever asked me about my makeup routine, but I do constantly give unsolicited information about new makeup I've purchased, or most recently, entire books on the subject. What can I say? I love being a girl.
The truth of the matter is, it all goes back to Kate Middleton. Once I found out she did her own makeup for the royal wedding, I was inspired/jealous but mostly inspired. I bought two books from Amazon about make-up, and they helped a lot. Then on our most recent trip to NYC I said "what's this?" and held up an eye corrector to a girl at the Benefit counter at Bloomingdale's. She did my makeup and voila! $100 later in Benefit products and a need to justify it and we have this blog post.
So this is my post-work/at work make-up routine. I do this when I want to freshen my makeup after work, like if I'm meeting people (Joey) for drinks and I want to look fresh and pretty and not like the week's work dragged me back and forth through a puddle.
(Dragged is grammatically correct, I googled it. It sounded wrong to me too.)

So at the end of the week I often look like this:

Oh wait, I'm supposed to look sad.

The cruel fluorescent lighting doesn't help. Anyway, my biggest problem is darkness around my eyes, and my skin looks a little flat.

I got this illuminating primer from Benefit and I love it.

And I apply it with the make-up sponge that comes in the foundation I'm about to show you.

Then I use this Benefit foundation that also works pretty well to illuminate my skin and cover anything that needs covering.

and it comes with the little sponge you saw earlier in its own compartment, which makes it nice and portable.

Looking better already!

I like to use this stila coverup stick (in color no. 03) to address my afterwork-undereye darkness.

It comes in this nice little tube and again its easy and portable.

I sort of draw it on... and yeah, that's my "putting on eye make-up" face.

And pat it in. Don't mind my unpainted fingernails - see previous blog post.

So then my eyes look a bit less tired.

But to brighten my eyes a little more I use the appropriately named "eye bright" by Benefit.

And again I just draw it on. In this case just the inside of the eye, all the way up to the inner corner of the eyelid, and the outside corner.

Then I blend with my fingers.

Wait, there's more!

I use the Ooh la lift by Benefit to brighten even more.

The applicator is similar to a lip gloss, which I just dab on and blend with my fingers.

Ask any Texas gal what the secret is to looking glam and she'll tell you: "too much blush!" or maybe that's just my motto. I didn't put too much on in this case, but I love a lot of blush. I use this Nars multiple for cheek color. Its the one with the name that I don't want to put on the internet because its salacious.

It rolls out like a large lipstick and I just dab it on. I like it because I can use it as lipgloss and eyecolor if I want, and because its easy to carry with me and I don't need a brush...even though I have a mini one anyway... I don't NEED it. I just blend it with my fingers, again.

I use the MAC powerpoint eyeliner in periplum for eyes.

And I line the top and bottom.

Bobbi Brown says not to line all the way to the inside so that your eyes don't look too close together. I line the outer 2/3's. And I line the inside of my lower lid. This is totally fine for me as long as I make sure to remove it before I go to sleep.

The open mouth is necessary if to keep from blinking. Did you know that?

And I top it off with Maybelline Great Lash mascara. I think its the absolute best. This is the Big Lash in black/brown.

No picture, I figured you've seen enough of the eye makeup face.

Alrighty, moving on. I use this volumizing hairspray to freshen my hair and reduce the flatness. I just picked it up at the beauty supply store, and it works pretty well. It was more getting it in travel size than getting a particular brand.

And I just rustle it through my hair with my hands and then brush it out with my portable, foldable hairbrush from Sephora.

Whew! Talk about salacious!

Then I finish up with my lipgloss of the hour, Clinique superbalm moisturizing gloss in Raspberry. I can wear this without drying out my lips, (which is an annoying problem I have, but I'll still wear just about any lipgloss,) and I love the color.

and this Benefit highbeam highlighter works really well to add the last bit of polish.

I really love both of these things because they take about 20 seconds to apply for both, and they add a really nice bright finish.

The highbeam is in a tube similar to the Ooh la lift, and I just dab it on above both cheekbones, and just under the eyebrow.

And then I blend everything together with a little travel powder brush.

And that's it!

The lighting really is terrible here, but trust me, it makes a big difference. At least I think so. I also feel really comfortable and confident that I look great when we go out, and that in it of itself makes me feel less tired at the end of the week.

These are all the products I used:

And they all fit inside this make-up bag I bought at Forever 21:

... which fits easily inside my work bag.

The whole routine takes me about 5 minutes.

And there you have it, my 5 o'clock beauty secrets!

Packing it in

2011-05-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

This morning I got up and started packing. I literally packed all day in my bedroom and living room. I wanted to pack my dresser and all of our books, since we're selling that furniture and I want to be ready for it to go. I set the bar low so that I could be satisfied with myself and celebrate by painting my nails.
Well, its 11 pm and I'm not done, but I'm done enough for today.

I mean, at least with all of these boxes I made huge progress with the move in general. I mean, you can tell:

The Red Vines on the coffee table might as well be called Red Flags for Stress in my life.

I mean, aside from the presence in the boxes of this picture, there's no sign of my hard work. Its like I didn't even make a dent. How is that possible? It was a rainy day and a good day to pack, so I guess I'll just try to be OK with it. It didn't help that I was packing books and had to repack a bunch of the boxes because they got heavy so quickly.

Well, poor Joey couldn't help because he's working on his case reports which he has to turn in to graduate. I can tell he's really working hard on it because he said "holy s&#*!" and then called out "Did you know Otis Redding died when he was twenty-six?!"

Keep that focus babe!

The days are long and the years are short...

2011-05-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

or something like that. I'm not entirely sure what I mean, I stole that line out of Tina Fey's new book*. Becky lent it to me and its hilarious. Plus I love reading again, it makes me feel smart.

Becky also showed me this video. How am I going to live without Becky?

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is... this move has really crept up on me. How are all of our weekends taken until we move to Texas? How do I only have one full week of work left?**

This blog was supposed to be about our lives in Boston, restaurants and whatever else it is we think we do.. it ended up being largely about my cat and complaining about work. I don't really know where I'm going with this... my thought or this blog. I might change the name and continue it in Texas... I don't know. Would you (20ish people that include myself and my mom) still read?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm going to miss our life here. I love that Joey and I moved here on our own after we graduated from dental school and got married. It was a great adventure together, just us two. I've been able to work with wonderful people who I'm proud to call my friends, and I've had the best mentors. I'm so excited for the next step, I can't WAIT to start my residency, its just that moving on is a little sad. Part of me feels like we just moved here, and the other part doesn't want to part with any taxable income in 2011.***

Tomorrow I'm going to start packing up... I don't know if I can be the one to put our furniture on Craigslist - it makes it too real.

*I also stole the idea for these starred remarks.
**Which might not be necessarily accurate because of this denture from hell that should have been completed 1 month ago but I might have to come back into work to finish after my last day.
*** Its TRUE, the real world does slowly turn you into a Republican.

How the crazies be drivin' me to the drink

2011-05-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

Whelp, I've just about lost my damn mind.

That's right, I said damn, and I'M NOT SORRY.

Today I told myself I would not get upset when:

1. We got started late because my assistant is in the hallway talking instead of getting our patient for 8 minutes.
2. An assistant tells me she's won't be here for the entire afternoon for some nebulous family health problem/doctor's appointment/not for her.
3. Patients get their tough street "oh no you did'n!" attitude when I tell them they're here for an exam, not a cleaning.
4. Our compressor only works at 50% making fillings take for.ever.
5. I can't put our x-rays onto a CD for a specialist, and can only give him non-diagnostic quality copies on regular paper.

I said I would not get upset because I clung to the idea that during my lunch break, I would go to Target and get a new hair dryer. And I would be so happy with my new hair dryer and the promise of shiny hair so it would be OK. And I hung onto that like my patients' babies cling to their bottles full of Hawaiian Punch.

I went to Target, and the hair dryer purchase was not to be. They didn't have the ones that were online that I cross-referenced with Amazon reviews, and well, I can't just be blindly buying hair dryers. Oh well, I thought, at least I had the hope of it when I needed it.

I returned to work and saw a 14 year old patient who is known to our clinic for coming in only for emergency exams with her mother, and never receiving treatment. This happens because she comes in with a swelling and prescribe antibiotics (because anesthetic does not work well in the presence of that type of infection,) and appoint her the next day for treatment. The mother never brings her back.

Too bad for that mother I didn't get my hair dryer.

Her daughter has an infected tooth in her lower jaw, the left side of her face was very swollen. She had an acute abscess associated with her molar. According to her mother, she was recommended to have a root canal over a year ago, but she knows "she can't take that kind of pain. I would rather her have it extracted." Oh yes, I reckon with that kind of reasoning you also thought she was a dentist, but no, she isn't. Shocktastic.

I know she saw my coworker in March with the exact same presentation. I asked her why she did not pursue treatment, which at this point, is limited to extraction because the tooth is now non-restorable. She claimed to be in Florida for a month because her grandmother passed away.

Isn't that always the case? I mean, dad-gum, if I had a nickel for every patient who needs percoset/vicodin/you name it because someone has just died in Florida and they can't/don't/won't be able to get treatment and you HAVE to help them... then I could fill up my bedroom and swim in them DuckTales style.

I told her she last saw the dentist two months ago, and that her daughter needs regular dental treatment to prevent this types of emergency. I looked inside the patient's mouth, and she had/has multiple carious and non-restorable teeth. A total disaster. The mom claimed that she does have regular dental care. I asked her who and where, and land sakes if she couldn't remember the name!

What a pity.

So then I took the high road and yelled at her. Not my finest moment. I told her that this was neglect, and that it was the worst infection I've seen in a child, (which is true.) I told her I was worried about letting her leave with her daughter because this type of infection could become life-threatening. Her response to that? "Why would you even SAY that to me?" For my health, lady.

After we both calmed down, I explained the treatment that needed to be done. I wanted to at least I&D the infection on the spot. She refused, (because then the infection would be in her MOUTH.) I gave her antibiotics and told her to go to the emergency room if she would not let me treat her here. She then took it upon herself to call her sister (not a dentist either, would you believe it?) on her cell phone from my operatory. She even held her finger up to me while I was talking so she could hear her on the line. I was not able to accomodate this request.

Allegedly they have an appointment for another dentist on a day that I'm not here. If she doesn't bring her in it will be my pleasure to call the department of social services.

That same sister came into our clinic not one hour later and demanded narcotic pain medication from my coworker. Oh my god.

Then our computer software shut-down after our last patients so we called it a day.
Well, at least I have the big money from toiling away at this place. That makes it totally worth it.

Long overdue

2011-05-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Its been forever, I'm sorry!

We've had a lot going on - and then I got so far behind in blogging that I didn't even know where to begin. We took Leon to Texas a few weeks ago, and now he's a Texan again, living large with my parents and his new BFF, Maggie the cat. It's a one-sided friendship really, but fortunately he doesn't know that. We miss him a LOT. My mom sends me text pictures of him so that helps.

The big move is just weeks away, and I'm sort of scrambling these days to do a lot of prepartory things that I didn't even realize I'd need to do: paperwork for my residency, planning Joey's graduation party (I've done practically nothing for that, poor man,) and well, I don't know what else I've been doing... but somehow I feel like I'm always scurrying. Why is that?

I had a rough week at work this week, so I've been a little down. If you've seen my facebook posts, I'm sorry for all of the ranting. Its just been one of those weeks where if it had been over on Tuesday at 10am I would have called it a long one. I shouldn't complain because I only work there 2 days a week, and my coworker has the brunt of it and its WAY worse for her because they depend on her for everything... its just the IT nightmare, generalized non-compliance, and neglected kids have worn me out.

Anyway, Joe Joe and I are thinking of jetting out of Boston this week to NYC for a mini getaway before we move far away, so I think that'll do us both good. More on that to come...

Also, I've been working on my fitness. I'll leave you with this inspirational workout clip. Have a great Thursday.

Lap of luxury

2011-04-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

yes I let him lay on that bag sometimes. He's helping me change the handle colors so I look more legit when I carry it.

I don't want to move my Leon to Texas. I'm going to miss his sweet little face and how sometimes he lets me pet him but mostly just Joey only because for some reason he loves him more.

I love my cat.

Yet another reason to avoid the employee lounge.

2011-04-12T10:27:00.000-07:00

Now I'm no rocket surgeon, but I think menagerie of high voltage appliances is a recipe for disaster.

Bonus for the uncovered electrical outlet with exposed wires.

Caution: Will Bite

2011-04-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

our vets probably won't miss Leon.

we took the liberty of documenting this while the vet took Leon "in the back" to get his nails did.

He didn't love it.

I need to get one of these dogs

2011-04-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

As seen on Cute Overload.

Friday Faves

2011-04-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

I know its Saturday now... I started this yesterday at my office and then the day got away from me, so I'm posting it now.

ANYwho, I thought I'd recap some things I've seen this week that I've liked while out and about or in the office or on the interwebs.
So, lets get right to it, shall we?

1. This dress from anthopologie:

I love love love it.

2. The fact that I finally seated this devil crown that has evaded final cementation for months now. That's right, its taken me MONTHS to seat one crown. This is why dentists go insane. But its all done!

3. Thusly I celebrated my favorite way: buying myself a new lipgloss. And OH, this is the best one ever!

I don't know why this is sideways, and no, I'm not able to adjust pictures on my own blog. And it looks like this:

I didn't show you the rest of my face for your own protection. Fridays are a tough day for my face. I believe it to be mostly a paleness issue.

4. Just making the train. I saw the T from about 100 yards away this morning and I started running, through the snow and slush, and I made it! Last time I started running and it pulled away... which is sad, and kind of embarrassing because there were a lot of people on it and they could probably see me. But today I when I realized I was going to make it I was so happy.

5. My gray nailpolish:

To be honest, I was wearing a much cheerier color earlier this week but I was so worried the aforementioned crown wouldn't fit this poor patient's tooth AGAIN, and I knew it would make my day worse if I had a happy color on, so I changed it the night before. Go ahead and think that's crazy, that's fine. I'm glad you don't know that flavor of dread.

6. Nexxus hair care products. Oh my word, this shampoo is awesome, and the conditioner is even better.

This is Nexxus Diametress, and the volume I get from this is really good. I already have pretty thick hair that can get out of control, but this gives me the good volume I want, like at the crown of the head, without the crazy poofy-ness.

And this conditioner:

Nexxus Pro-Mend, is magical. The ends of my hair look so great since I started using it. I'm having a particularly good hair day despite the SNOW today, and I have to thank this new combo for that.

7. This multiple layered necklace and bracelet look as seen on coco+kelley.

I wish I was cool enough to pull this off. I'll probably still try, but just get the jewelery from forever 21 instead of wherever this came from.

8. These business cards:

What a cute idea! I may have to make similar ones... I love these.

So those are my Friday Faves! I hope you all have a great weekend.

Photo credit 1 2 3

Orange with Envy

2011-03-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Last night I was watching the Real Housewives of Orange County... well, on mute, but its not like it makes a big difference. And Vicki and Tamra went on some kind of friend rehab trip to Cabo San Lucas, and Vicki made some kind of remark about how after their dinner of very small salads, they should go down to the beach for a refriending ceremony. Lord have mercy, didn't she learn anything with her remarriage ceremony to Don? Re-doing ceremonies are foreboding. Anyway, I didn't catch much else because this show starts at 10pm and hello, I'm on borrowed time after 9:15.
ANYway... I was thinking I want to go on vacation to Cabo San Lucas. I want to go in the blue water and get tan and drink drinky drinks on the beach... except on beach chairs because I don't like laying on the ground. So I expressed this to my husband, and he was all, ELIZABETH, dentists aren't ever able to retire because they spend all of their money on vacations. And then I got sad. But like... yeah, fine, whatevs. So what if I'm jealous of the RHOC even though I would never never never never trade lives with them? I just want some sun, like this here cat:

He is a being after my own heart. In other news, anyone want to buy a blue ikea dresser that I spruced up with some white handles? Will throw in free cat.

Oh well, don't mind me. Its freezing here and I'm going crazy. I'm even less nice than I normally am. And blah blah other people have real problems. Although Joey had a huge presentation today and now its just one more thing done as we MARCH on to (his) graduation. Goooo Joey! So I'm happy about that. I'm so proud of my Joey, he is such a good clinician and so nice to people. Good thing I married him while I still had my looks.

Alrighty then, I hope everyone else is getting through their Monday's OK. Over and out.

Southie St. Patrick's Day Parade

2011-03-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend Joey and I went to South Boston for the St. Patrick's Day parade. It was fun, and even better was the crowd. South Boston is the REAL deal as far as Boston goes. Alrighty then, less talk, more action.
Here's a little snippet of our day at the parade:

Yes, Star Wars.

Case of the Mondays

2011-03-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

Joey is going to Arizona this morning for a perio conference. I'm going to miss him so much, and so is Leon. Have a great trip Joe Joe. See you Thursday.

Exiled

2011-03-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

Do you see this face?

This is the face of a cat who so kindly jumped up on the desk next to our bed and started knocking everything off at 3:31 am. I barely stopped him before he got to the glass of water. This is why we have rubbermaid water bottles next to our bed... well, usually. Obviously he had to lose bedroom privileges. He's acting like it ain't no thang, but I know he's a little remorseful down in his little cat heart.

Oh Leon.

I will still miss you a lot when you have to go to grandma and grandpa's. We're taking him to Texas in a few weeks, ahead of our big move down to Dallas. This way he can just go on the plane and we won't have to drive down to Texas with him howling his head off. He hates the car.

I only have a couple of months left as a general dentist... and I'm excited for the next step. I'm looking forward to specializing in pediatrics sooo much. I'll miss my coworkers a lot and our friends here. And I'll miss being so close to my grandma and extended family.

I have to say though, I'm ready to move. Texas! Texas! Yee-haw!

And they are blessed, plus other musings.

2011-03-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

I love my new jeans from Old Navy. Joey doesn't love them as much... but whatevs.

oh, don't mind the clutter all around every smooth surface. and it wasn't an accident that I didn't include my make-up less face.

I've been thinking about spring b/c its supposedly around the corner, and thusly have begun a new diet and exercise regime. So, I thought to myself, "self, you have to stop eating so many cheetos." since I only know how to operate in extremes, I didn't eat carbs for 2 weeks. (Well, I ate some on Saturdays.) During week 1 I would have shaved my head for a pizza, but I lost 5 lbs so I felt like it might be worth it. Then a little bit into week 2 was reading the lil bee's post about her brunch and I almost started crying... and I thought to myself, "self, this isn't natural," so I started trying introduce healthy carbs back in... and at first I was eating like a totally normal person. Then last night I was stress eating myself to sleep with Cheetos. I love that delcious treat. And I did brush my teeth afterwards. I feel like that's important to point out. I haven't weighed myself recently because honestly, I don't want to know.

I'm trying pretty hard to eat healthy, and its been about 3 weeks of that now... no McDonalds (I miss you Big Macs!) and the like... but I don't know if I see a big difference. Also, I've started working out at this gym... which is more like a dance studio/yoga like place where all of the workouts involve mats and on occasion these little weighted balls. I think its sort of a good workout, but only one of the classes I went to was pretty difficult and I left feeling like I'd accomplished something. The rest of the time I feel like I'm in there with girls supplementing their eating disorders with mild exercise. Everyone is pretty and wears make-up, and lululemmon like, whole outfits, and their hair DOWN. Its a little crazy. I was the girl with the dorky ponytail and her Baylor t-shirt wearing pants that kept showing the top part of my bottom, plumber style. Whoops. I bought a pack of classes after the first class I went to, which was the hard/best one, so I'm going to keep going for a bit.

I'm relatively thin, don't get me wrong... but I want to be in better shape, have my clothes fit better... you know, all the usual stuff we say when we don't say what we really want, which is to look so thin that people worry if I'm eating. I think its unlikely I'll ever find myself in that situation. Especially since I'm about to sneak out of my office for a donut.

Maybe its time to start doing P90X in my living room again. I do miss Tony. For now I guess I'll just use up my credits at the girly gym place and see if anything magical happens.

on my mind this Monday morning: losing my mind edition

2011-03-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

- its colder than I thought it would be
- is it really 38 degrees? it feels like 28 degrees.
- oh no, mara is out today. I hope she isn't sick.
- if I told you I can't do your hygiene exam, I mean I really can't.
- so don't start recounting the patient's history to me while I'm trying to do an exam on another patient.
- then when I come over and recommend a perio evaluation, don't call that aggressive.
- there you go, thats my best advice, for free!
- you're welcome.
- well, if I'd known that my patient wasn't coming I wouldn't have been so hurried during that last exam.
- I wonder if there will ever be a time in my life when I'm not shocked at how much things cost.
- this morning while the T was going over the Charles I had the overwhelming urge to get off at the next stop and run away from my office.
- and its not like I dislike my job.
- and I don't even want to do anything crazy.
- just swiffer my floors and organize paperwork and files.
- IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
- ohhhhh lordy.
- and I guess technically it didn't overwhelm me since I'm here.
- and its already lunchtime.
- I'm glad no one can see me eating this sandwich like an animal.
- and I'm going to take a day off in April to swiffer my floors and organize paperwork and files.
- that makes me feel better.
- there's only so much I can get done on the weekend.
- especially when I spend most of Saturday half asleep on the couch.
- but I'm not sorry, I needed that time to veg out. I'M NOT SORRRRRY!
- well, I was a little sorry when my landlord dropped by unannounced and my house looked like a disaster and I was in my bathrobe.
- hopefully that scene will encourage him to call next time.
- I'm so glad I got chips instead of carrots.
- I hope the afternoon goes well... the morning wasn't that bad afterall.
- well, it was a little bad.
- I just didn't want to end on a sour note.
- I wish the Jane Eyre movie had wider release... I want to see it.
- the one on instant Netflix was super not a great consolation prize.
- it didn't even have the cousins in it.
- this morning I kept thinking "you're like Jane Eyre. be resilient. you're British."
- even though none of those things are true, and well, its not like actually getting to work and getting through the day is anything like Jane's trials.
- she is awesome.
- I hope our St. Patrick's Day shirts came in.
- At least our party is this Wednesday at work.
- That'll be fun.
- Alrighty then, over and out.

"I love you" bread.

2011-03-10T12:08:00.000-08:00

I saw this bread on Kristen and Allison's blog, Lullaby Lubbock, and I had to make it. I've never made bread in my life, that's how tempting it is. Kristen made it yesterday with her little munchkins and it looked fantastic.
Joe had a big presentation this morning, and you know how it is when what you can do to help is so limited, but you want to help somehow? I thought I'd make him this bread, and call it "I love you, you'll do awesome" bread, and then somehow it would magically help him. Not that he needs it, because he's the man.
I started yesterday with my coworker and friend Becky. We went to Target during lunch and got a rolling pin and bread pan. The money I spent on that may have negated any warm feelings the bread would conjure up for my poor husband... but its an INVESTMENT.
I envisioned that we would eat it warm from the oven the next morning as we reviewed his notes together. He would feel loved and amazing, and thus obviously have a fantastic presentation...well nourished, heart, soul, and stomach.
I gathered all of the ingredients and got to work last night.

I mixed things together according to the instructions.

And then I had dough. At this point I got a little overwhelmed and had to pour myself a glass of wine.

Then I covered it in plastic and a clean kitchen towel and set it in a warm place. Leon loves bread, and the heater. Don't worry, his head is behind the bowl, not in it.

Then I refrigerated it overnight. I planned on waking up early, taking it out to rest, and then making it with enough time for leisurely eating.

So I randomly woke up before my alarm and got up and took it out of the fridge. I went back to sleep, and turned out my alarm in my half-sleep haze. I proceded to have a pleasant dream about making the bread and getting ready for my day. Luckily Joey's alarm was set for just 30 min after mine, so I was still able to make it. When I heard it go off, my first thought was "OH MY GOD, THE BREAD!" then it changed to "ohhh, its okayyy, I already made it." Thanks a lot dream brain.

So I got up and rolled out the dough. At this point I felt like 'hey! I'm doing it!'

Oh the irony of measuring it with my waist-measuring tape.

Then I exploded butter in my microwave... and had a little re-do melt your butter on the stove in a saucepan.

Then I painted on the butter and sprinkle/dumped the cinnamon/sugar/nutmeg.

I had a lot of butter left over... and when I make it again I'm going to try to use more of it.

I cut it

and again...

and put it in the pan and left it to rise.

Then I put it in the oven.

I think it came out pretty well. Maybe I left it in the oven too long... it seemed a little dry, but still delicious. Joy the baker's seemed a little more moist. I'm going to try it again, maybe this weekend. It was really fun. Of course, we didn't really have time to review notes and lazily munch it... it was more of "I MADE YOU THIS BREAD YOU EAT IT NOW, I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR WORK!" Sorry Joe Joe.

Nonetheless, I know you're going to do great. If the bread didn't say it well enough, I love you, you're going to do awesome.

Dear Jeans, Please be awesome.

2011-03-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

I just ordered these jeans online from Old Navy.

I have wanted these kind of jeans for awhile, and I have delusions of looking like Rachel Zoe when she wears hers.

I have a few concerns:
1. They don't look that flattering on the model.
2. Rachel Zoe only eats venti black starbucks coffee.
3. The reviews were all written by moms of teenagers.

None of these concerns were concerning enough when I saw that they were only $11.97! I hope they're cool, I want them to work out. I'll let you know how it goes. I was lured to this site by Kendi Everyday, who linked to a similar shirt like this one, which I also got:

I know, I know... but its YELLOW GINGHAM! And HELLO, KENDI HAS IT! And I need an all-American made-in-China kind of top. Plus, my aunt and uncle got me gift cards for Christmas which covered the whole thing.... so I can totally still complain about paying my taxes and not feel guilty about spending money on clothes. Win win win!

How to go to jury duty

2011-03-02T19:34:00.000-08:00

a few weeks ago I was summoned to jury duty, our civic obligation. I thought I'd share with you my experience, as well as a few helpful tips for those of you who may not look forward to it with as much gusto as I did.

1. Get there early so that you have enough time to find AND pay for parking.

Its your great Amercian privilege!

2. Make sure you wear an outfit that says "I'd be best selected for a one day trial in which I would be named Madame Foreperson, and would henceforce proclaim: 'we the jury, find you GUILTY!'"

3. When you get to the room where the jury waits, remember, chair selection is critical. You will be sitting next to these people all day.

4. If someone annoying or weird sits next to you, ie, someone who is playing heavy metal with some handheld audio device without headphones, drive them away with a crunchy snack, such as Cheetos.

Which brings me to my next point.

5. It is best advised to bring healthy snacks to enjoy whilst you wait.

6. However, if you plow through those, make sure you have ample change for the everready vending machine.

Mmmm, Twizzlers!

7. Bring reading materials, put the impressive ones on top of the stack so that you look smart. Note: bring a Bible if you're worried about getting selected.

8. And spend the rest of your free time perfecting your serious expression, just in case you end up sitting in the front row of the jury box.

And there you have it!

I was nearly selected, but asked to be excused because it was a longer trial, and if I don't go to work I don't get paid... and nothing forms a bias like sitting in a jury box missing my paying workday because Muffy and Buffy from Expensivetown, MA are suing a luxury manufacturer for their luxury piece of crap that they don't like as much as they'd hoped. Thankfully the judge excused me and thanked me for my service. You're welcome Massachusetts!

And may your jury duty be as blessed as mine.

So long Februweary

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

This was the view outside my window yesterday as more snow fell. Back to square one in the snow department. Oh well, at least it was Sunday and we got to spend the day indoors.

I for one, and am so glad this month is over. If I can make it to 5 o'clock without too much drama I'll consider it a success. That means I want this crown to seat on one patient, and for another patient that I just finished a procedure for to actually get up and leave the office because he's annoying the crap out of me, and for the office manager to say its OK that I go to Arizona later this month... even though I don't know if we can afford the trip, let alone the time off work.

I JUST WANT SOME SUN!

Alright, well, sorry for the outburst. I don't even know why exactly we'd be going to Arizona. Some conference that Joey gets to go to because he's the "lead resident of his director's choosing." Go Joey!

And so long Februweary... wish I could say its been swell. Here's to March! As in March along to graduation because we're almost there.

Bits of our weekend

2011-02-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

We had a great weekend, and I think I'm finally coming out of my funk.

Friday night Joey picked me up from work and we went to Drink in South Boston.

The drinks were good, as usual, and even though they almost forgot my fries, I forgave them. Then when we left there was a line outside which made us feel important for being at such a cool place. Bigger plus that I didn't fall down any steps after leaving this time.

Saturday I picked up Joey from work and we went to Big Papi's Grille in Framingham. It used to be a place called Desmond O'Malleys, an Irish pub, where I worked in college. I love getting nostalgic... and well, it wasn't even disppointing that it wasn't good, because D. O's wasn't either. Just like old times.

I wanted to see the King's Speech, because I thought we could use a little inspiration in the Laborde house. It was alright. I did love how much the Duchess of York loved her husband in her restrained British way. I'd like to think that I'm like that... but I'm not. I'm more of a yeller and a complainer... in like a "YOU'RE TAKING UP THE WHOLE COUCH!" kind of way while making Joey watch the Young and the Restless on Tivo. But maybe if people called me "Your Royal Highness," things would be different.

Sunday we did little things around the house, and went to dinner at Orinoco sort of last minute. Sometimes we go there and its so terrific, and sometimes less so. Its pretty reasonably priced, relatively healthy, and right by our house, so we gave it another go... and it was reallllly good. I'm so glad we went. If we don't get out of the house we get cabin fever and whoa, welcome to crankytown. (See above's reference to my territorial-ness over the couch.)

Joey always gets this salad, and it is good.

The inside has this cute, really big table that I always hope they won't ask us to sit at with strangers. Because hello, no thank you.

But I really like the teal.

Anyway, yesterday we took a day trip up to Mount Sunapee to ski. I loved it. To be honest, I thought it was going to be a really small mountain compared some of the ones I've skied in Colorado. I mean please, I'm used to skiing out West. I've been to Colorado like, FOUR times, obviously I have hard-to-please, high expectations. Anyway, I loved Sunapee. The runs were so beautiful. It felt great to be outside in fresh air and moving these bones.

It was really super fun. Super freezing, but super fun. And yes, we have new ski helmets! That's right, watch our world, I'm fearless now. K, totally not true. I'm still a timid skiier and I get scared everytime I hear people coming up behind me to pass, which is a lot, but oh well. Next time we go on a longer trip I'm going to go to ski school again, and I'm looking forward to getting better each time. Someday I'm going to beat those 3-year-olds to the bottom.

All in all I had a great long weekend with my Joe Joe. I hope everyone else had a good President's Day too.

Photo credit 1, 2, 3, 4

Happy Friday

2011-02-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

Look, I realize that I only post videos of cats and pretend that I'm blogging, but well, I don't have a great excuse. Lately I've been coming home exhausted, like, can't move off the couch before I plod off to bed in some single digit hour. I think it may be related to eating Big Macs and frozen pizza and chinese food and not exercising at all. But I mean, how am I supposed to get started when I'm sooooo tired all the time? Like, so tired. And I don't even have children or mono.Hopefully this weekend I'll catch up. Lord, I feel like I'm just living for the weekends these days. I don't want to be like that. This is a sad state of affairs, and frankly, quite boring. What's more boring than someone complaining about how tired they are? So anyway, that's my life. That and cat videos. Happy Friday!

And you know what's funny is how much practice it must have taken to get this down, and the cat still does it. He must like it.

Wishing and hoping

2011-02-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

I don't want to wish my life away, but I want it to be June. I don't want to do anymore post and cores, I want to start my residency, and I want to be warm. I want to see my parents and my friends in Texas. I want Joey to get a great job and love being a real periodontist without all of the stresses of his residency.

What I SHOULD do is try to enjoy my remaining time in Boston because I'm going to miss my friends/coworkers like crazy.

I can't help it though.

Monday's Cats

2011-02-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

obviously now we need to get a metronome

Happy Friday, from David Lynch

2011-02-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

Last night Joey told me that David Lynch's favorite song is "Song of the Siren" by the Cocteau Twins.

How cool must David Lynch be in person? Well, given my nature to getting obsessed with people I don't know at all based on attributes that I ascribe to them that they may or may not possess, we listened to the Cocteau Twins last night and now I'm obsessed.
Technically this isn't the Cocteau Twins, its This Mortal Coil... a "dream pop super group" that featured a lot of rotating members., and its actually a cover of a Tim Buckley's original. Well, that was probably more than you wanted to know.
Happy weekend everyone.

On my mind this Thursday morning

2011-02-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

* I love my new iPhone
* I'm glad I got to work before it started snowing more
* I don't mind the snowfall itself, its more so the mounds of plowed snow that make it difficult to walk and make our streets even more narrow
* I want to switch my blog over to wordpress, but I'm not sure I'm going to keep this blog when we move so I'm not sure its worth it
* Please baby jesus let this crown seat this afternoon
* I don't know how I can be so needy for a day off when its been a great week, and I only had a half-day yesterday
* Its probably just the excitement of this week was a little draining, but in the best kind of way
* Well, I have jury duty next week, maybe that will be like a day off
* Some of my new coresidents are now my friends on facebook, which makes me very excited!
* Hopefully they don't think I'm a giant dork because of my facebook
* Or maybe it would be worse if they were offended by my many status updates
* Well, hmmm
* I miss Joey, I wonder what he's doing right now
* Jo is my assistant today, and she's one of my most favorites, yay
* Which pandora station should be listen to today?
* Please baby jesus, again, hear me about that crown seating
* I can't wait to be a pediatric dentist
* But moreso I can't wait to start at Baylor, I can't believe I got into a program like that
* I wonder if we'll get a new DVD player today
* How come all of our DVD players break? We've been through about 3 of them in as many years
* But I GOTS to do my P90, I miss Tony Horton
*How come people want to say things like: "oh, well, its 79 degrees here and sunny." Do you think that makes me like you? or jealous? Yeah I want it to be warmer, but I don't want to live in Florida.
* Hip hip hooray for Thursday, my favorite day of the week

Why yes

2011-02-02T14:39:00.000-08:00

I WILL take some cheese with my whine. What a dumb question. The answer to if I want cheese is always yes. And I'll also take some wine wine.

There's not a lot of whining around here though, because HELLO, MY DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE!

So in other news, I had a half day today because the invariable road treachery associated with our most recent winter storm. We were to report to work at noon, which apparently meant "we'll tell you to come at noon, then remember we have a dental department in that other building and send someone down to unlock it by 12:32 pm."

And lastly, everytime I look over at my cat he appears to be more tired. That's saying a lot. What can I say, we're overachievers over here.

We're going to the Big D and I do mean Dallas!

2011-02-01T08:24:00.000-08:00

I found out yesterday that I matched at Baylor!

I was really happy... and its funny, because I thought my first emotion would be elation, but it was more like extreme relief. I got this email and I almost started crying. I was at work, so I didn't, because that would be weird. But I did put my hand over my mouth and I teared up a bit.

Baylor was my first choice, and I'll have the chance to work with amazing faculty and coresidents. Its such an amazing progam, and I can't believe I matched there.

I have waited so long for this day to be here! One of my friends, Julie, probably felt the same way, since I always pestered her with questions, even before PASS (the application system,) opened in May. She went to Baylor with me and then went to Houston for pediatric residency... and she's just one of those get-er done kind of people. Really efficient, great dentist, awesome friend.

She answered question after question, talked to me on the phone and via tons of texts. Julie, you are the bomb friend. Thank you for all that you did to help me though this, it means more than you know.

There is no picture of Julie and me without Ali in it, its amazing. I cropped the one on the right because I mean, I love Ali, but this is about Julie. Then I noticed she's in the one on the left. Hi Ali!

Also, my classmate Jon helped me a LOT with my Baylor interview, and it really put me at ease. Thanks so much Jon... I'm proud to be your coresident next year.

And I mean obviously, I wouldn't be here without Joe Joe, the best person I know.

Now I'm getting very sentimental and I want to thank EVERYONE because I mean, honestly, everyone around me is so supportive and wonderful. My coworkers who picked up the slack while I was interviewing, and were still like, nice to me about it, and my parents and Grandma who prayed for me.

I AM SO HAPPY!

Nice little Sunday

2011-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

Today is laundry day at the Laborde house. I know - exciting.

This has been such a great day, really relaxing and just what I needed. I watched Law and Order episodes and ate spaghetti o's. Then I entered all of my contacts into my new iPhone that I have because I'm very fancy now. And yes I had to manually enter them because my old phone is such a piece I couldn't transfer them the easy way. It was fine though because I feel cool holding it and basically don't know how to use it yet otherwise, so it was very enjoyable. Then I watched the Jersey Shore and it warmed my heart to see Sammi and JWoww make up. Now I'm just biding my time, waiting for Joey to fall asleep watching his obscure movie so I can get the remote back and watch Lifetime. Any minute now...

Alrighty then

2011-01-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

This week is officially dragging. Drraaaggginnnng. Weekend please.This is the line where I usually pretend I hate to complain, but I don't, and well, I don't have the energy for charades.
This weekend will probably feel slow too, since Monday is Match Day, when the magic hat decides my future. Gooo magic hat! I am seriously excited though. I love planning and knowing like, major life things, like where we'll live... so I can plan on where we'll live. Surprisingly, I didn't feel that crazed after all of my interviews. I knew that it would be a long wait until January 31st, so, it would just be best for everyone if I sat tight. I didn't even feel that antsy after the rank lists were due two weeks ago. Until of course, the morning afterwards, when I was obsessed with the possibility I may have entered something wrong or not clicked a critical clicky thing on the screen. Well, I'm past all of that patience now. And in an unrelated note, I'm totally eating donuts for lunch.
Is it Monday yet?
UPDATE: I had donuts for lunch. I am now regretting it. I would say never again, but it will probably just be awhile.

Animal Talk

2011-01-25T04:26:00.000-08:00

This video is hilarious. I love the monkey dentist.

Sorry Natalie, and other rambly ramblings

2011-01-24T15:06:00.000-08:00

Soo, I was sort of saying not nice things about Natalie Portman the other day. A lot of this has to do with the fact that I used to think that we were leading parallel lives but hers was the more glamorous one.
We both went to college in the Boston area: I went to Wellesley, she went to Harvard... etc. AND back then people used to tell me I looked like her a lot, which rubbed salt in the wound.
I should have been Queen Amidala.
ANYway, I don't think that anymore because I'm married to Joey... so I definitely got the better track in life. Well, I guess Black Swan made me a little jealous because I always wanted to be a ballerina. Plus I mean, Darren Aronofsky is the bomb and apparently they like, talk on the phone.
Alright, anyway again... I saw her on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday, and she said that she feels that a big part of where is she today is due to luck, and she's very focused and hard-working because its the least she can do because of the amount of luck she's had.
And I was like, high-five sister.
I am where I am in my life because I work hard, and I'm focused, but I had a lot of opportunities in my life because of luck. I was born into a family with college educated parents who pushed me academically, and who wouldn't let me give up. And I mean, I wanted to give up. Lots.
In 2001 I was all: "Mom, I want to come home from my expensive college I insisted I go to." cue exorbitant sobs.
And she was all: "You have to stay for the semester, we already paid."
And so on. My poor mother.
I don't know if I would have made it like my grandfather did... basically propelling himself out of poverty through college and law school. I don't know if I'm that extraordinary of a person. But I mean, I can at least get some work done.
I don't really have a point... just that I'm grateful to my parents a lot, and to my grandma and granddaddy who carved out this path in my life. Can I get an amen?

Monday morning wish

2011-01-24T05:16:00.000-08:00

This morning its just too cold. That's all there is to it. But well, the world keeps turning and we all have to go to work, and luckily for me, the T came within a few minutes after I got to the stop, so I really shouldn't complain. Except its TWENTY TWO DEGREES BELOW FREEZING. Yes, that's with the windchill, but do we care about how cold it is or how cold it feels?
ANYway, my Monday morning wish is for the boots I compulsively ordered to come very soon, and to fit, since they only had 5.5 and not 6. But I mean, they Hunter Summit boots and they were FIFTY PERCENT OFF. Helloooo, I'm going to make them work.

I hope all of your Monday morning wishes come true, too.

Bits of our Sunday

2011-01-23T16:53:00.000-08:00

This morning started off kind of slow...

This is a cat with a "CAUTION" label on his chart at the vet.

I was feeling under the weather and in an even worse mood, but I didn't want to waste the day, especially since I hadn't seen Joey all week. There's nothing like the fear of regret to propel me forward, so we headed out to Lexington, Massachusetts to check out this farm where you can buy groceries.

It was more grocery store than farm, but it was an alright field trip. I do appreciate a nice cheese corner.

Then we ambled out to Natick where...

Joey's dream of having a Nespresso machine has finally come to fruition! Hallelujah, and thanks Aunt Nancy!

After a little trip to B to the 3 to pick up some keurig cups for my office coffee habit, we went over to the AMC to see True Grit.

I love the movies.

Then Joey had to make a mad dash inside because it was freeeezing.

There's nothing like a Coen brothers film (and a diet coke) to cheer me up. Their dark tales bring peace to my heart. Oh, except poor Little Blackie. Sigh.

And thusly we were inspired to make steak and eggs for dinner, which we imagine Ruben and Maddie would've enjoyed.

Match day is one week from tomorrow. Each day I get more and more excited about the prospect of specializing in an area that I love so much. AND, if we move back to Texas, Joey is going to get a truck, and I'm going to put my (Haifa's) daughters in pageants! Yeehaw!

Saturday's morning of dramz

2011-01-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

Leon had to go to the vet today. Last time he went, Joey took him, and reported some wild behavior that necessitated a large woman to be called in to throw a towel over him and hold him down. At the time I found this hard to believe, and if only I had been there, his behavior surely wouldn't have gotten so out of control. I mean, we're talking about this cat, right?

Joey's at work, so it was up to me to take him this morning.

It started out alright enough. I got out the carrier and he more or less got in on his own.

and we ventured over. The vet is across the street... and while it is pretty cold outside and we had to cross a busy road, I think it was less terrible for him than his second most dreaded thing: the car.

We arrived safely, with a lot of pathetic meowing, and waited in our exam room.

I pulled him out of the carrier against his will, and placed him on the exam table.

note the agitated ear positioning.

This is the last picture because after the vet came in, well, lets just say my beloved creature did not exhibit ideal behavior. You know how some moms tell you their kids' stats after doctors appointments? Well, here are ours:

Weight: 11 lbs, 3 oz. I don't know this percentile, but its "OK, we don't want him any bigger."

Heart: seems alright, no weird facial expressions were made

Lungs: hard to tell with the growling and hissing

Temperment: full on crazy feral cat

The vet was incredibly nice, (aren't they all?) and at first he was the best behaved he'd ever been. Then it was time for his vaccinations. The first one was sort of alright. There was extreme hissing, but, well, that happens. Then it was time for the second one, and my animal just went ahead and opened up a can of crazy. There was hissing, prolonged meow screams, and swats before they had to "take him in the back" to finish up. I could faintly hear another meow scream as I waited in the exam room, and I started tearing up a little bit... vacillating between horror at his behavior and feeling so sorry for him. I was hoping they could trim his nails too, but I mean, at this point, we were all ready for the Labordes to head out the door. At least we set the bar low for any other animal behavior that day.

We had to wait a few minutes for them to get some medicine for him, and I waited in the waiting room and talked to a really nice lady about her greyhound. Leon waited in silent anger in his carrier. When we crossed the street to go back home there was more pathetic meowing, and I contemplated if 10:30 am was too early for wine. Surely white wine is OK, right? Mimosas are acceptable at brunch, its sort-of the same. Once he was home he got right out the carrier, and shook his right hind leg a few times... and he was fine.

I however, unscrewed a bottle of pinot grigio and added some club soda to make it socially acceptable, and ate an entire Paul Newman thin crust frozen pizza.

Well... Joey's turn next time!

Finally

2011-01-21T10:40:00.000-08:00

Someone feels the same way I do about Natalie Portman.

Click here to listen to Film Week's review of Black Swan. Totally do it, even though you have to click something and listen to something. Its worth it.

Does anyone else in America feel like Black Swan was a let-down after the Wrestler? Ugh, and when Natalie Portman accepted the GG it was as if she was the only actor to whom Darren Aronofsky said "now do this one for yourself?" And like, it seems like they might have some kind of like, long-time professional relationship/almost friendship?! Noooooooooooo (echos.)

I wish I knew this Peter Rainer and like, even though he's kind of mean he would still like me, and we could make witty and scathing remarks about people over cocktails.

On my mind this Friday morning

2011-01-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

* Is it out of the question to expect another snow day at this point?
* Oh, I guess so, says our snow-cancelling-work hotline.
* I should probably blow-dry my hair then.

********elapsed time*******************

* I like making a to-do list at the beginning of each day.
* I think its important to include things you've already done, you know, just to get started.
* snow snow snow snow snooooooowwwwwww.
* I am so glad I don't have to shovel.
* and I'm also very glad Joey is home. I was missin' him something awful.
* whelp, seems as though my patients are taking snow days.
* I would too, I don't blame them.
* I'm super tired, and I look super tired.
* but I went to bed at 10 pm!
* well really, like 10:30, but still.
* this patient is coming in that I'm the most worried about, but I'm so glad it will be over with.
* T to the GIF.

Reunited

2011-01-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

and it feels so good.

Wonderful Wednesday

2011-01-19T19:58:00.000-08:00

Not yet, Leon, tomorrow. Lord have mercy, its going to be like that cat won the lottery when Joey walks through that door.

Today was a great day. I always post and complain about my office and my anxiety, and not really when things are going well. Honestly, I think its easier for anger or anxiety to fuel my posts.

Today, all of my patients came early. All. of. them. That is really nice, especially when most of them haven't been to the dentist before and they're really trying to take care of themselves. As dentists we're always most focused on the procedure in front of us, but we're also thinking about the schedule the whole time. When patients come late it throws off the schedule, and I can only speak for me, but it makes me crazy. I am so proud of my patients today. Goooo patients in Dorchester! At the end of the day I had the sweetest little boy who was only 6, and he was such a champ for his x-rays and his cleaning. His poor mom had to wait for about an hour and half while their state insurance was verified, (something that is done without much efficiency in our office,) and she didn't complain about the wait and was so happy and appreciative that we saw him and that he had a good experience. AND he didn't have any cavities and his mom was obviously really careful about his diet and hygiene. She felt good, I felt good... I mean, hi-five everybody... today is one of the days I feel so proud to do what I do.

Lonely hearts club

2011-01-18T19:26:00.000-08:00

Here's our sad cat with his crazy eyes, waiting for Joey to come home.

Is it Thursday yet?

We're watching Teen Mom 2 together, and as if that isn't depressing enough, everytime a door opens on the TV Leon jerks his head up. I don't know that he did this while I was out of town... but I'll take the extra cuddling for now.

Hunnnngry

2011-01-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

This is exacty how I feel about 11am everyday. I hear you cat.

A long post about bed sheets

2011-01-17T17:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I dropped Joey off at the airport, and then afterwards I did what any other woman does when her husband goes out of town and she has some free time to herself: initiated a McDonald's fueled bargain hunt for new home goods. Oh... is that not normal?
Anyway, I saw these sheets at TJMaxx in December, and they were really pretty, vintagey floral 300 thread count sheets... for only $39.99! At the time I was doing a lot of Christmas shopping and I didn't think we really needed them. Flashforward to two days ago and Joey complaining about the "rough" pillowcase upon which he grazed his poor cheek when he "accidentally scooted over" to my side of the bed. We have this bedding from IKEA with these cute raised stripes, which Joey super hates. Thus, we don't really use them anymore and just sort of use similar looking other white sheets we have. We have white pillowcases, and somehow there aren't enough of one kind of exclude at least one of these IKEA ones... which goes on my side since it doesn't really bother me, unless it bothers Joey. Our bedroom is kelly green, (which our landlords love and painstakingly selected,) and thusly we have white to offset the horridness of the wall color. And well, I like white things, because I am a glutton for punishment. Joey has been known to fall asleep reading his perio literature with pens in his hand, and then pen gets on everything. Poor Joey, one time he called me in a panic and said "you are going to KILL me," after it happened another time... he can't help that he has so much to read.
ANYway! I dropped Joey off and I thought I'd just pick up these sheets, because, they are smooth and not white, and go with the green walls, and I like them. I went back to the TJMaxx near my office, and they weren't there anymore. Naturally, that was when I decided I really wanted them. I went home to sporadically dust my house and think things over, and I decided not to give up. I'm not a quitter! So, I went to the TJMaxx in Brookline. They weren't there either, although they did have it in twin size, which only renewed my hope that somewhere, in some TJMaxx, my sheets were waiting for me. So then I went to the one in Framingham. They didn't have them either. Although I will say, that TJMaxx was significantly nicer than the other ones. To reward that TJMaxx for its niceness and me for my endeavor, I got a cute underbed storage thing. Fabulous! At this point I was saddened and downtrodden, and thought about trying a Ross. But then I couldn't. Then, just because I was all the way out there I went to WalMart. I don't know why. Sometimes they make me nostalgic for Texas, and here there aren't very many. But they are very terrible. I regretted it the second I walked in. It was dingy and depressing, and like, had three people in it. I bought a People magazine (new Travolta baby!) and left. After that the stores were closing up, so I went home, and fell asleep on the couch watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

I woke up this morning and realized I may have I missed my critical bargain hunt window... and consoled myself with some self-beautification projects. I went to Nordstrom to use my giftcard from my parents to buy makeup. I was reallllly excited about this. (Its totally okay that you gave Joey 2x as many giftcards as me, Mom and Dad, by the way,) and yes I just made sure that I used my own giftcard.I looked up different kinds online and even made and APPOINTMENT to have the lady apply it to my face. AND almost the best part, besides getting makeup which I love love love because I am vain, was that without even trying I spent $0.12 less than the max on the giftcard. I felt like a winner on the Price is Right! And honestly, I felt so beautiful with my new makeup. It felt great.

My thumb on the total is intentional... I don't want my mom and grandma to be gravely disappointed with how much I spent on makeup today... even though my mom knows since she bought the gift card for me, and she probably had to stifle a gasp but then realized I get this from her, and should make peace with it. Thanks for the makeup, Mom!

So I afterwards I went to yet another TJMaxx, sort of super out of the way and psycholike, just to see if they were there. At that point, I was buying sheets, any sheets. I resigned myself to liking another set... and then as I walked up to the checkout line, to what did my wondering eyes did appear, but some vintage inspired floral sheets from Ralph Lauren himself! And some lunch sized glass-lock containers for $12.99! Bo-nus! I felt so happy I even put back the other sheets where I got them, which seems optional there.

Alright, well, I should point out that before this weekend I think I'd been a TJMaxx three times in my life... and I should say that I learned a lot about TJMaxx's, like, just go to the one in Framingham after going to the Natick mall.
Anyway, Leon loves them.

See what I mean about the walls? And can you see the threatening pen on the nightstand on the right?

Now I'm blogging and watching the Young and the Restless rerun on the soap opera channel, while eating moo shu pork.

All in all, its been a good weekend, but I can't wait for Joey to come home. Like really. Its lonely without him here...and I'm eating bad food. For some reason I don't do that when I'm with him. I'm definitely missing my better half, and I wish he'd been there to hear the songs I made up about sheet shopping.

Casa Romero

2011-01-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Last night Joey and I ventured over to Casa Romero for dinner, and now its easily one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Joey works on Newbury St., after he was done for the day we headed a block away from his office to the corner of Newbury and Gloucester, and down the public alley to the restaurant's entrance.

Did you ever watch "What You Get for the Money" on HGTV?

These parking spots in Back Bay are worth ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars.

Anyway, I digress. Boston isn't known for its great Mexican restaurants, and this one is like a hidden gem. Hidden, but not secret, because its always packed.

They had the three things that matter most to me: great margaritas without any help from some cheater-cheater-pumpkin-eater sugar filled mix, delicious guacamole, and killer chicken fajitas.

I got the classic margarita, and Joey got the perfect margarita, and they actually did taste different. I'd get the perfect one next time.

Plus the decor is beautiful. I'd recommend it any day of the week.

We called it an early night because Joey headed out to Houston today for a meeting.

I miss him already. Fortunately Leon ended up not going, so now we're watching Lifetime movies together... so it ain't so bad.

I know last Monday's post was a downer, but I'm trying to be more open on this blog, which may mean some downer days. All in all I had a pretty craptastic week, but I'm at peace with it. Sometimes you have crappy days and weeks, but I did the best I could and that is just going to have to be good enough.

My match list was due on Friday, and its just 3 weeks until we find out where we're going next year. I can't wait.

I hope everyone has a great long weekend.

Snow days

2011-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Well, as you know we've had a bit of wintry weather up here in Boston.... which is normal, since its winter in Boston. The unusual thing is that we've had two snow days in the past few weeks due to some big blizzards. Snow days mean different things to different people. I thought just for fun, I'd compare what snow days mean for me, and what they mean to my little cat, Leon.

Snow day for me:

The T lets us all off because traffic is too bad, walking home in the snow.

Snow day for Leon:

Sunny nap.

Snow day for me:

Gridlocked traffic, people in Boston forget they're from Boston and that they do, in fact know how to drive in the snow.

Snow day for Leon:

hmm...

windowseat is ever so slightly too cold for sleeping.

Snow day for me:

Grocery store line begins at the back of the frozen foods section.

Snow day for Leon:

Sleeping directly on the heater is better.

And ultimately snow day for me:

Admittedly, in the end, isn't that different.

But I did have to use the warmer blue blanket instead of my leopard snuggie that you can see tossed off to the side.

Wordless Wednesday - WEATHERBOMB!

2011-01-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

I mean, I don't know if the term "weatherbomb" was really warranted (Sam Champion,) but a snow day is a snow day!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-05T06:22:00.000-08:00

Leon loves to stretch it out.

That's right, all I talk about are my workout videos.

McFatty Monday - Tuesday Edition

2011-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

We are workout machines! OK, not really. We actually had to step it down a notch from P90X to plain P90, but trust me, its still hard.

I thought they would be a LOT easier since its only 30 minutes, but as per usual, I underestimated Tony Horton.
Here's Joey doing what seems like an innocuous leg raise and arm raise move. It somehow gets really hard halfway through. Or maybe more like beginning way through. Its blurry because I was taking the picture and kind of still doing the moves. Way to go Joe Joe!

Anyway, I have not seen immediate results, (sigh,) but maybe something will happen soon. I went all out and took all of the body measurements with the measuring body thing that came in the kit, and I recorded it on this postcard with the body on it that Tony sent me. Joey declined to do the same, which surprised me, but nonetheless, I won't question his committment to our workout challenge. I even took a before picture. God forbid that ever gets out.

In somewhat related news, I got my yellow anthropologie dress in the mail. I was so happy to get it, I beamed all the way up in the elevator. I was a little bit worried because I ordered a size up just in case they ran small, I figured I could always take it in. Wellllll, I took it out of the box and with one look I had a feeling there was no way that thing would go on my body. If that dress was really the size I ordered I'm in big trouble. It had a tag from anthropologie, but it was pretty sketchy. It looked like it had been added after the fact, and it was handwritten with the bottom part of the tag with the original information cut off, like, ghetto style at an angle. Then the size was handwritten on it with pen. I couldn't get it on, let alone zip it up.I think it might be two sizes down, at least. That's what I'm telling myself anyway.Sad. Maybe this will finally make me learn my lesson about internet shopping, but probably not. Oh well, it was an appropriate end to one of my more frustrating Mondays I've had in awhile.

The silver lining is that I contacted the ebay seller, and she was so nice about it and agreed to take it back and refund my money... so thats good. I wanted to wear it for my birthday (reminder, this Thursday,) but I'll settle for painting my nails a bold "Eiffel for this color" and wearing that to work, in conjunction with appropriate work clothes, obvi.

Alright then, happy Tuesday everyone!

Hello 2011

2011-01-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

Good tidings and happy new year to all.

If you're as lucky as I am, you used up all your bad karma from 2010 at approximately 10:13 pm by falling head first down the steps at the South Station T Terminal. Whew, glad I got that out of the way. No, I was not inebriated. Not enough anyway. Fortunately my rough and tumble strength skinny jeans and boots protected me from most of the damage, and now I have this photo which can also serve to document my injuries and serve as a "before" picture for my workout pictures!

Here we are at Drink beforehand:

It was fun. Anyway, I'm pulling the cart before the horse here. We started out our evening with an early-bird special dinner at Sportello in South Boston at 5:30 pm. Per the waiter's recommendation we had the roasted cauliflower appetizer which was fantastic, followed by somewhat lackluster tagliatelle and lamb entrees. It was alright, but I'm not eager to go back. It was sort of one of those places where I didn't feel cool enough to be there, and well, I don't like that feeling when I'm paying $22 for pasta.

In any event, the early hour made it a cinch to secure seats at the bar at Drink shortly thereafter, and we enjoyed an assortment of spirits, our favorites were the mamie taylor and the french 75. Delicious! Joey had some kind of scotch drink that smelled just like anatomy lab. His hand even smelled like formaldehyde from holding the glass. It was incredible, and brought back many memories of the basement at BCD from approx 2004. Anywho, we made some friends with the people sitting next to us and they took the above picture. They were from Spain. Gracias amigos nuevos!

We reached the point where I felt more alcohol would be regrettable, and thus we left to attend the First Night festivities on the Boston Common, and upon embarking on the next leg of our journey into 2011, I promptly fell down the stairs, bruising my thighs, shins, and ego. I probably should have had just one more drink. Joey yelled "OH MY GOD ELIZABETH!" As I reached the bottom of the steps, and some woman ran up to me and tried to help me up, and said "YOUR PURSE, DON'T FORGET IT!" really loud, because I think she thought I was wasted. I must reiterate, I was not. I was however, in full on nervous uncontrollable laughter mode, which didn't help my case. I imagine I looked like a sled without a child on it sliding down the concrete. Fortunately I'd had just enough alcohol to allow for me to pop back up and think it was funny, that is, before the horror of humilitation set in.

We arrived at First Night, and milled around aimlessly with the rest of the public. I don't know... did I miss the part that is supposed to make it worth it? Was there some kind of attraction? I just saw a lot of people walking around in the dark with light-up swords. Yes, I did see the band... from a distance, right before we left because at that point I decided the rest of the night would best be spent from the safety of our own couch.

We rung in the New Year with Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest, and I woke up Joey so we could clink our champagne glasses as the clock struck midnight. All in all, it was a memorable (and perhaps last) New Year's Eve in Boston.

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T11:05:00.000-08:00

and its especially happy today since I found the yellow anthropologie dress on ebay and its already on its way! I love the internet.
I've spent the day so far drinking coffee and watching movies on HBO while half-heartedly cleaning... but I am about to dust the life out of the office area of our apartment. I love the way a room looks after its dusted.... and for that reason you'd think I'd do it more often, but hey, what can I say - I like dramatic results. I've also completed my first new year's resolution, (I like the kind that you can check off and complete, versus ones you have to sustain... way more satisfying,) which was to eat the lemon meringue pie my grandma sent home with us after Christmas before January 1st. Done!
My other resolutions include a continued committment to good hair care and skin moisturization... and well, a couple of other ones with about the same degree of importance.
Honestly, I just hope this new year is as wonderful as the last. I am so lucky to have a great family and to be married to Joey. I got to go home to Texas for my dad's 60th birthday, then have a great 30th birthday week with Joey a few weeks later. I have understanding employers and coworkers who encouraged me along the way of the application and interview process for residency, and I got to travel all over to different interviews and learn a lot about different residency programs... and be in Texas for Thanksgiving and spend it with my sister and parents, and Joey of course. Then I had a fantastic Christmas with my extended family in Connecticut last weekend. We all know how much I love spending time with my grandma.
In any event, I'm looking forward to the new year and everything it brings with it. Cheers everyone, and Happy New Year!

Get ready, 'cause its coming!

2010-12-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

That title probably won't mean anything to anyone who hasn't done P90X.

alrighty then, moving on.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to everyone! What's that you say, you're worried about the post-holiday blues? The let-down that follows so much celebration? Well never fear, because my birthday is (almost) here! I know!

So wait, you're (Joey) not sure what to get me? Oh, in my infinitely giving nature, will share with you some of my hopes and desires for my birthday... I like to just lay it all out on the table, its easier and better that way. Oh, this sounds just a tiche greedy after such a great Christmas, you say? Oh, well, then you must not have your birthday following the couple of weeks after Christmas, when everyone is broke and tired of shopping. Congratulations about that.

Anywho, on to more important matters.. the following gifts are just delightful... and would be great for me or anyone else who has a birthday in these cold, forgotten weeks.

Isn't it beautiful? And its on sale!

And so is this lovely dress!

I think they'd look cute together. Furthermore, if anyone can find me this dress:

Will be my most favorite person. Which is really win-win. However, I do fear that the cap sleeves will just pinch my arm fat unattractively, and the bow will probably struggle to lay flat across my chestal region, but I'll worry about that when it arrives in the mail.

Alright then, next:

This really works, and I need it... its for my health/to prevent eye-wrinkles.

And for that same/similar reason, I need this, and

obviously also this, because I'm a dentist.

I other news I just looked up available employment opportunities at anthropologie, do you think they'd hire me? I would totes work there PT... but I don't know if I have the rustic beauty that is necessary for the position... seriously though, it would be cool.

Alrighty then, I hope everyone is having a great day. I'll spare you all the details about how the light is broken in the back parking lot where I work in THE GHETTO and the woman who claims to be in charge of getting it fixed lacks motivation in the work ethic department... here's to hoping no one tries to break into my beautiful new outback or rob me for my lunch money when I leave later tonight!

So...

2010-12-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

if I were a nicer person, I would:

* Tell the dental assisting student (who is assisting another dentist) to put the amalgam carpule (filling material carpule) in the holder thing within the amalgamator, (kind of like a paint mixer that mixes up your filling,) but I kind of like the excitement.

* Not complain about how much this Christmas party at my office is costing me. Its just that we don't have lots of money right now. Its just well... $25 for gift cards was a great idea, but now its also $20 for food, plus a $5-$10 yankee swap gift, plus bringing a dessert? And most of the assistants don't even show up to work on time. And how do they have money for this? they're (supposedly) more poor than I am.

* Refrain from inserting a (supposedly) in the above statement.

* Made my husband try to pick me up in the worst traffic fiasco Huntington Ave has ever seen.

Well, that's it for today. I guess otherwise I'm an alright level kind of nice. Happy Tuesday everyone!

Curse you office homemade holiday cheeseball ...

2010-12-20T09:55:00.000-08:00

..and your cheesy deliciousness. you are throwing a big wrench in my efforts to be less fat.

this morning's declarations were made when I was not hungry, which is when I make all of my dietary declarations.

McFatty Monday

2010-12-20T05:22:00.000-08:00

Its about time I got on this bandwagon.

Since I've been interviewing the past couple of months I've been eating a lot of dinners with the residents the night before the interviews, and well, not only that, but eating airport food, all kinds of comfort food, and multiple McDonald's meals. Now it seems that all of my clothes have shrunk at the same time, even clothes at the mall that I haven't purchased yet.

Joey has been really good, and doing something every night in the realm of exercise... I always have a good excuse about why I can't join him, usually related to cleaning the house/moving piles of clutter from the coffee table to the dining room table.

I really have gained a lot of weight, and I guess my worry is that the older I get the less likely I am to lose it. Those are just the biological facts. And it is really nice of you, those friends and family, who insist I look fine. I really don't, and I can't button once loose blazers and cardigans, let alone pants.I don't really weigh myself, but I am up one pants/dress size, and can't button a particular blouse, so that will be my frame of reference.

I've been slowly eating better and eating less. Tonight I'm making vegetarian paella, and now I'm accountable to work out at least a little bit. Joey and I are both happier when we eat healthier and exercise, and we get better sleep. Now I just have to DO it. Ugh, the do-ing is so bo-ring.

All of that being said, and to change the subject... I just put my rank order list in the match. I can still change it, but it feels really good! I remember stuffing all of those envelopes and writing my essay, and hoping that programs would offer me interviews. I'm looking forward to match day at the end of January... and getting to that point minus a few extra lbs!

Have a great Monday everyone.

A good cause

2010-12-16T14:04:00.000-08:00

So some of you might know that one of my areas of interest in pediatric dentistry is oral healthcare protocol and treatment of patients who have cancer, specifically long-term inpatients, and those who are post-treatment for their disease. During my residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital, part of my day was dedicated to examinations for adults with leukemia or lymphoma prior to their bone marrow transplants. We made sure that they did not have any current or forseeable odontogenic source of infection, because something like a dental abscess can kill a BMT patient post-transplant. As it is, around 30% of patients don't survive bone marrow transplants.
In any event, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has a special place in my heart, and one of my best friends, Caitlin, is running a half-marathon in support of their cause. She's trying to raise around $3000, and if you can, it would make a huge difference if you could donate. She also has a hilarious blog that chronicles her endeavors as she trains for the race.

Here is the link: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/pfchangs11/ccrawfobyr

Thanks for your support.

On my mind this Thursday morning...

2010-12-16T06:47:00.000-08:00

1. I'm done with interviews! and it feels so good
2. Its nice to be back at work
3. I hope if I send out a present tomorrow that I can still send it Priority Mail so that it gets to California in time for Christmas
4. I hope my next patient knows she's getting an impression for an occlusal guard
5. Christmas cookies at work are delicious and fun
6. I should probably work out when I get home
7. But I won't because I'll be too tired
8. I'm so glad I'm not getting on another plane anytime soon
9. I wonder if my afternoon patient is really a limited exam or if its an impression for her implant crown
10. I think I want to have a birthday brunch instead of birthday dinner.
11. Because I'm really more of a morning person.
12. I wonder where we'll live next year
13. I love Christmastime
14. I'm glad our Halloween decorations are finally put away
15. That's a good step forward in getting our house more festive for the appropriate holiday
16. I can't wait to see my grandma next week
17. I hope this post office isn't a zoo at lunchtime
18. But it will be
19. How come it seems everyone else is mailing crazy stuff that takes forever?
20. Its probably good to stop at 20, thats a nice even number.

Almost Done

2010-12-12T06:56:00.000-08:00

I've been super MIA from the blog lately because I've been travelling a lot. I haven't even been at work in one of my offices since November 16th... hopefully they'll let me back in the building next week when I'm done interviewing.
The whole experience has been exciting, but tiring. At first it was exhausting because I would get SO nervous before each interview, so after the interview I would be completely worn out from getting myself so worked up beforehand, getting up crazy early, and reviewing everything I could about the program. Now its not so much that, but now I'm tired because I'm tired of travelling and ready to be back to my routine. I'm glad to be almost done, and SO glad that I had this many interviews. I know I was just complaining, but this tired feeling is a good one. I feel proud that I had a good number of interviews, and no matter what happens, I know that I did the best job I could... well, so far at least. One program left to go...
During my travels I had lots of time to sit and think, mostly while sitting in the airport at my gate, as I enjoy getting there extremely early. I've come up with a few observations that I hope the airport people will consider in order to make travelling even more enjoyable:

1. A bar and a bathroom near the gate area is a blessing
2. Bathroom doors should always open outward
3. It is unnecessary to remind boarding passengers how full the flight is, it just makes us even more crazy, shoving people down to get on the plane to assure a spot for our overhead carry-on. Ususally it isn't even that bad.
4. You can go ahead and graciously offer that older folks board ahead of you, (they rarely have large carry-ons.)
5. Ordering wine on the plane is generally a good idea, and I love when I'm reminded that its an option.

Well, that's all for now. I realize that most of this relates to alcohol and bathrooms, but well, aren't those the most pertinent aspects of travelling?

I'll be back on Wednesday, by the grace of God. Hopefully it stops pouring here so that I can get to KC. Cheers to Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday - Bits of Our Weekend

2010-11-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

Joey's Birthday Week

2010-11-09T04:49:00.000-08:00

So as I mentioned, this handsome guy turned 30 a couple of weeks ago... so we had a week long celebration full of gag gifts and rang the week in with a party at our house. It was so fun.

SMU cups

Boxers and socks

Joey's awesome blazer from Mary and John

Bath stopper (its a fish)

What's this?

Oh, a crotched bearded beanie! Perfect for a cold winter.

Joey could open a new birthday week present each day... and he wanted to open them first thing in the morning, because I mean, who wouldn't? That's why he's in his bathrobe for some of the pictures.

I only got a few pictures of Joey's party, but it was a blast.

Leon loves Dr. Mehta.

Anywho, it was a great week, we had a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who came over to celebrate!

Joey's Birthday Berkshires Adventure

2010-11-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

.... was two weeks ago, but hey, better late than never I always say.

Joe turned the big 3-0, so we celebrated all week long... its always a party at the Laborde house.

We started out with a trip out west to the Berkshires, and stopped through Northampton first. I love that town. We had lunch at this diner, its probably where Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon get homemade pies and broasted chicken. Delicious.

And we soaked in the town. It was extra beautiful on account of the foliage.

Northampton has a really cool bohemian vibe, and the people are really friendly. There are a lot of cool bands that go through there. Sometimes the whole boho scene can be irritating, lets just call a spade a spade. I lot of creativity and not a lot of worky worky, if you know what I mean, but its not like that there. At least from what I could tell from spending approximately two and a half hours there.

We stopped by Smith College, where my two best aunts, Nancy and Barbara went to college. Thus we went through the campus and I of course, wondered what it would have been like if I'd gone there instead of its bitter rival, Wellesley College. OK not really, at least about the rivalry. Womens' Colleges aren't really like that.

Smith is beautiful.

I'm sure there's some kind of message behind this that I don't fully understand.

At Smith the students live in houses, not dorms. I'm not sure if this is one of them or not, but I like to think it is. Its such a cool way to live at college... I lived in different dorms all through college, and I liked living on campus, and this sort of takes it to another kind of home-y-er level.

So later in the afternoon we arrived at Elm Court in Lenox, Massachusetts. Its an old Vanderbilt estate, and its amazing.

It was left vacant for about 50 years, and now one of Emily Vanderbilt Sloane's great nephews and his wife are renovating it. They've completed a lot of rooms already in the main wing, where we stayed.

Library

Our room

I super loved this kitchen.

I sort of look fat in this picture but I don't know why. Is it the scarf? Is it because my bangs are weird? Is it an actual weight issue? I don't know, but I do like the background... so just focus on that part.

I didn't want to leave. I really loved it out there. I felt a tremendous sense of peace surrounded by all of that beauty. But anyway, since this was supposed to be a trip for Joey, I hope he liked it too.

So then we decided to take a drive down a beautiful country road on the estate...

Well OK, it wasn't that one... more like this one.

Les, the manager of the inn, came down to help us dig her on out. BTW, isn't our new car a beaute?

He was so incredibly nice. He even offered/tried to insist we take his car out to dinner and he would wait for roadside assistance... we couldn't do that, especially since he recommended we walk this road, not drive it.

The more the guys dug, the more it sank. Eventually a tow truck came and pulled it out with a wench. Then, um, well... the tow truck got stuck. Les gave the tow truck driver and his poor wife, who just came along for the ride and wasn't even wearing shoes... a ride back to town. Because nothing says "hey! we're the jerks from Boston!" like driving our 3 month old Outback down a mountain road and getting stuck... then sticking it to the guy who helps us. Literally. We felt so horrible. Ugh.

So then we went to the Lion's Den for drinks and dinner.

So that helped us get over it a little. I hope the tow truck guy had a similar place to forget his troubles/us.

The next morning after an extra delicious breakfast we were off... and then we heard this horrible screeching sound coming from our right front tire. We squealed into a car wash and went through three times... sprayed the undercarriage, and it was gone. For about 11 minutes. So then we screeched into a tire place, and the tire place guy lifted the car up on the car lifty thing and washed it with a power hose. A lot of little rocks came out, and we were off again.

Then it came back, and at this point, I got worried. As we creaked through a beautiful neighborhood, we pulled over and gave the right front tire a long look. A compassionate woman and fellow Subaru owner came out of her house and recommended a garage around the corner. So we screeched in, and saw three tow trucks with the same name of the one that pulled out out the night before. Oh. crap.

So as we pull in the attendant comes out and says "sounds like you got a rock in your rotor."

and I was all, "yeah, that could be it," as if I knew anything about anything. And so he comes over and reaches into the wheel and pulls out a little rock. And I was all "awesome! thanks!" and he was all, "no problem." And then we started to drive away and it kept making that sound.

So he had us pull in and he put our car up on a jack and took the wheel off. Then he got out tons of rocks. And he was like, "how did this happen."

And so I tried to discreetly say "ohh, we... we got stuck, got stuck in mud."

And after a little more back and forth he said, "ohhh, so you're the reason I had to pull my boss out of the mud this morning at 6 am."

Oh. my. god.

I told him that we felt really bad, and we apologized profusely. He stopped giving us a hard time and got all of the rocks out. Soooo, that really came full circle.

And with that, we satisfied the karmic cycle and it was time to return to Boston.

I have to say, I would go back there in a second. I loved Elm Court and Les the manager was the bomb diggity. If you want to have a peaceful weekend in a beautiful place, you should stay there. Especially if you have ever gone on the tours of the mansions in Newport and wondered what it was like to live as the upper eschelon of society in the Golden Age. I can't believe this place is open to the public as a bed and breakfast. Yeah sure, we got our car stuck, but that's us... just don't be all driving around in the back of the estate and you'll be fine. The rooms were amazingly beautiful with so much attention to period detail, the beds were so comfortable and warm, and I mean, really and truly I can't wait to go back.

I'm going to post the rest of Joey's birthday week celebration later on this week, I'm just going to cut it off here since well, everyone probably stopped reading halfway down anyhow.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

I don't know, where HAVE I been?

2010-10-29T14:17:00.000-07:00

I haven't been keeping up with the blog, I'm sorry Mom and Grandma. Its just that I've had so much on my mind that I haven't been able to sort it out and decide what's appropriate to put up here. This is the internet afterall, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried somehow someone from one of the programs I'm applying to would see it and be like, OK, she's a total oversharer extrordinaire! Oh well, its actually probably too late for that.
This weekend I'm going to Seattle for an interview, and I'll get to see my friend Carolina again. She's graciously letting me stay with her, which is so wonderful. I have some interviews coming up, including some back in Texas and I am happy to be able to go home for a bit.
Alright, I should probably write up all of my chart notes so that Joey doesn't think I've gotten lost on my way home... and stay tuned because I'll upload some photos of Joey's birthday week, we had a really good time.
I hope you all had a great week.

Happy Birthday Joe Joe!

2010-10-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Today is my best husband's 30th BIRTHDAY!

Joey is the most wonderful man, and I am lucky to have him, so today I thought I'd post the 30 top things I love about Joey and post it all public-like on my blog.

So to break it down, I love Joey because:

1. He is extremely kind to everyone.

2. He likes obscure and cool music so not only do I get to listen to it, but I also get to act like I know all about it if ever the subject ever comes up with hipsters or other indie-style folk.

3. He is always down for a trip to Nordstroms.

4. I have done the most humiliating things in front of him and not only does he still love me, he insists that whatever I did "isn't that bad," and tells me something he did that he thinks is worse.

5. And on that note, he's the kind of husband that runs out to get his wife a Wendy's cheeseburger to cure the ills caused by too many Red Bull vodka cocktails.

6. He always, always, eats the dinner I make, even if it is god awful and I don't eat it myself.

6. Hello - he is goood-lookin'.

7. In dental school he would always help me out by assisting or cleaning up my operatory if he didn't have a patient, even though he had lots of lab work to do.

8. He loves to have a good time, and as of late, likes to go dancing at Middlesex.

9. He cleans the kitchen so that it is sparkling pretty much every night.

10. On the somewhat infrequent occasion I clean anything in our house, when he comes home he exclaims: "it smells clean in here!"

11. Its really fun to hang out with Joey AND my friends, I don't have to worry about him getting along with anyone, because well, he's the most easy person to get along with.

12. He always gives people another chance.

13. We both feel the same way about the importance of good hair and its maintenance.

14. He does everything the right way, and is really detail oriented.

15. His love of outdoor wear and gear.

16. He plans amazing trips for us, like when we went to Belize.

17. He loves movies, and much like his taste in music, I glean from it what I can and brandish it around like I know what I'm talking about.

18. He sings the songs I make up about our cat.

19. He says over and over again that he's willing to move anywhere I get into pediatric residency... even to Minnesota, and he means it. (Hey Minnesota if you're reading this - I can't wait to visit, go Vikings!)

19. He is a hard worker and has done really well in his residency.

20. And in the same vein, his patients love him and trust him because its obvious that he really cares about their care, and not just trying to maximize his experience as a resident. Unless a patient really and truly needs a procedure, no matter how cool it is, he will not do it unless he thinks it will have a good long-term prognosis. This might sound like a given, but a lot of residents in training aren't like this.

21. I love the way he dances, and he's always down to make up a dance routine and break it down on the dance floor.

22. He makes a big deal out of any present that you give him.

23. He will always make me a skinny girl margarita.

24. He puts up with a lot of terrible television watching.

25. He doesn't play video games on a regular basis.

26. He has accomplished so much in his life and is one of the most humble people I know.

27. And he is totally brilliant. It amazes me, and it would be really intimidating but because he's so nice and humble it somehow isn't.

28. He doesn't give me a hard time when I get really into working out and then just fall off the bandwagon. He just quietly jumps off too.

29. That being said, he likes to be really healthy and eat good food.

30. He is the most generous and loving husband, and he always makes me feel like he appreciates me and he's proud of me. I couldn't have asked for a better partner in my life.

I love you Joey, and I hope you have a great day.

Weddin's

2010-10-09T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well really just one weddin'. Last night Joe and I headed out to Sharon to see our friends Helen and Chris get married. We don't have any pictures because we didn't bring our camera... because well, its a long and drawn out tale that I'll just go ahead and recount right now...
The wedding was black tie, so the nicest dress I have is the one from my (wedding's) rehearsal dinner that I last wore to another wedding over a year ago and haven't tried on since. Well, not until right before the wedding. Then we had 5 minutes to get out the door and alllls I had to do was "slip it on," which eventually translated into me alternating trying to breathe out all of my breath vs suck in as Joey wrangled the zipper up. It involved Joey desperately saying "there's no way," and me yelling back "THERE IS NO PLAN B!" because I didn't have another dress that was nice enough. Well, until we were in the garage running to our car and I remembered I had another dress that would have worked in a bigger size but oh crap they're working on our apartment which means I had to empty my closet on this wire portable closet thing and the whole thing is a mess and I can't see all of my clothes. ANYway, I was stuffed in this thing like a sausage, and I lasted until after the (very beautiful) ceremony and I had to unhook the hook thing and unzip just a little bit. Don't worry, I had a handy black tie cardigan that covered up this back part, so I thought I was in the clear. Then Helen and Chris came out into the reception and then we all grabbed hands and ran around in circles. I think this is a Jewish tradition. It was amazingly fun, but I think I was the only one praying to Jesus in that room, specifically regarding my wish for my dress to stay up and avoid and R rated show for Helen's elder relatives who were on either side of me. Luckily it stayed up. Whew.
So anyway, I forgot my camera. But trust me, it was really beautiful. Helen looked gorgeous and Chris looked so handsome and happy. Welcome to the club guys! You'll love it!

Maid service

2010-10-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

Today I could eat a tub of Cool Whip topped with some Reddi Whip from the can for lunch. De-lish-ous!

How was everyone's weekend? I don't have many pictures from mine, which is fine, because I don't know if you'd be interested in my 6 hour class on dental office design followed up with a Sunday full of cleaning my apartment and doing laundry. Yesterday I was cleaning my bathtub (with my favorite combo: scrubbing bubbles + mr. clean magic eraser,) I was wondering how people with actual houses and children and multiple pets can keep their house clean. I mean, how?! My apartment is only around 800 sq feet and I feel like I never get it all the way clean. I always leave out the bathroom or kitchen or don't get around to dusting.

So then I as I was contemplating this, I dreamed a magical dream of having someone, or better yet, a team of people come in and clean my house from top to bottom, do our laundry, bring me cute clothes to wear to work, cut and style my hair and give me a mani/pedi. And you know what? I wouldn't even feel bad about it. I would feel GOOD about it, like I deserved it, even.

Alright, this has become a runaway train. I don't know how people with so much responsibility do it... like my mom, whose house is 5x bigger than my apartment and her day is twice as long as mine.
But anyway, its just going to have to be a question for the ages... because if I find out then I'm going to have to probably try harder to get everything done and I like my level of effort these days.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

TGIF

2010-10-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! Have you ever worn too tight pants with no stretch to work and 15 minutes into your day you realize you've made a horrible outfit mistake but there's nothing you can do about it? Oh well, maybe it's just me. For some reason I decided to wear my punishment pants to work today... poor choice. I have limited range of motion of my legs. Why do I even have these pants?
Anyway, enough about that. On occasion people will ask me about how I know which blogs to read and why I like them, and well, I don't really know. My friend Brianna introduced me to Google Reader, which is awesome, and some girls I know have great blogs that I love reading. Then from some of my favorite blogs I started reading the blogs on their blog lists - and so now I have a little collection. So I thought today I'd share some of them and why I like to read them, in case you too would like to broaden your blogging horizons:

Big Mama - Melanie is from Texas, and super funny and a great writer. Reading her blog always makes me laugh out loud.
Chaotic Momentum - which used to be/still is? Polished Productions. This woman is hi-larious.
Cute Overload - Pictures of adorable animals. I love it, and sometimes you need something light in your day.
Depressions and Confessions - beause Alexis is very hilarious and real. She's also incredibly brave about discussing some of the tough things she's been through, and her vlogs slay me.
Fly Through Our Window - Darby has great decorating and recipe ideas, and takes amazing pictures of her beautiful family.
Hormonal Imbalances - I don't know why I feel like I can relate to Diana, because on our blogs we don't have much in common, but I can. I love her blog.
Life Thru a Linds - I went to high school with Lindsay and its fun to keep up with her life through her blog. She has a beautiful little girl and they have all sorts of fun endeavors. And I hope if I move back to Texas she'll help me learn to sew.
Lil Bee - Reading Melissa's blog makes me feel cool. She's also funny and down-to-earth.
Lullaby Lubbock - I went to high school with Kristen and Allison, and their creativity inspires me. They're amazing, and fun and nice. They have great party and craft ideas, and the most adorable children.
NieNie Dialogues - Stephanie is stylish and amazing, a survivor in more ways than one.
Raising Madison - And I also went to high school with Joanna! She's such a wonderful writer, and also super real and brave on her blog. She has the most precious and super photogenic daughter Madison. This blog is always a good read.
Wife in Progress - this is written by our dear friend Jamie... who is so funny and nice. She just married one of Joey's best friends, Jeff, and they moved to Pittsburgh. I love seeing what they're up to.

There are lots of others - and my friend Brianna has a great blog but for some reason I can't remember the URL this morning. I think my too tight pants are causing cognitive impairment. I'll post it when it comes back to me.
Have a great Friday everyone!

UPDATE! Click here to go to Brianna's blog. You won't be sorry!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

2010-09-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

So this weekend we went to Texas because.... it was my dad's 60th birthday!

and we celebrated with a surprise party!

It was so fun, I'm so glad that I got to go home and be with my family this weekend. It was kind of last minute that we were able to go, just a couple of weeks beforehand, and I was so excited each day leading up to our flight home.

All of that anxiety about possibly moving back to Texas was gone... it felt so. good. to be home.

I love getting to the airport borderline crazy early, so Joey and I went right after work for our evening flight. We always eat at Legal Seafood. I think it makes being there 2 hours early less painful for my more easygoing husband.

Then we were off! We got into Texas late on Friday, close to midnight. And it was great to wake up in my room.

We told my dad that we were going out to a nice dinner, just my sister - Laney, Joey, my mom and I. Then we proceeded to run around like crazy on Saturday to get everything together.

First stop - some delicious chicken nourishment at my favorite chicken establishment!

And then we got everything and set up the house.

Joey and Mr. Maul and Mr. Brown took my dad out for some drinks while we set up and everyone arrived.

And then he was surprised!

It was so fun - so many people came to celebrate my dad, because he's wonderful!

It was fiesta themed! Don't mind my spastic arm below.

John loves a good fiesta!

My dad and Mr. Kelly, one of the best sports of all time. I think he's one of the nicest people I know.

There were a ton of people, but I'm only showing family friends I've known forever, because I didn't ask everyone if I could use their pictures on my blog.

These two probably won't mind!

Doug and my mom.

Doug is so terrific. He was there early helping us set up and he was cleaning up all throughout the night. Once my parents went out of town and he stayed with us and made Elaine and I these delicious gourmet dinners when we were younger. His food is amazing, I don't know how he does it. Besides the fact he's otherwise totally amazing.

Some of my parents other great friends, the Gandalfos. I loved seeing them too! They're so wonderful.

This is one of my favorite people ever, Mrs. Brown, mom to one of the best people ever, Miss Emily Brown... who I miss a LOT! Love you Em!

Emily and I said all through high school, if our dads ever met, they would be best friends. And for some reason they didn't really meet and get to talk until our junior year, and well, we were right.

Mr. Brown, my dad, and Mr. Maul.

They sort of have a club not unlike the Three Muskateers, and always hang out together and talk about records and music and I'm not really sure... other manly things. They're really the most wonderful people.

Mr. Maul came over when my dad was taking our engagement pictures and held up all kinds of foil things to help us get good light. And well, there are so many times Mr. Brown has done something nice for me, I can't even begin to start. One time he drove me to like, Lancaster or something to a Circuit City because I insisted I wanted a small white TV with a built-in VCR that I could watch in our minivan on our drive to Connecticut. And of course, he's so hysterical, that after spending time with Em and her fam my stomach would be sore from laughing so hard.

I love the Browns - I'm so glad they were able to be there.

The next morning my dad opened his presents early before Laner had to head back to DC.

It was such a wonderful weekend. After we dropped off Laney we made some blueberry muffins and then it was time for us to head back. Somehow I booked us on different flights on the way back to Boston, but since we got to the airport obscenely early I was able to get on Joey's flight. (See, not always so crazy.) And then we were back to our Northeast home.

It was so good to see you Mom and Dad! I miss you so much already and I love you tons.

And Happy Happy Happy Birthday Dad! I'm so lucky to be your daughter. I can't wait to see you again soon.

Monday!

2010-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

OK, I'm weirdly excited for it to be Monday, but oh well, lets embrace it. This is partly because as I got out of the T this morning there was a man dressed up as a cup of salad passing out flyers for a new lunch place. I love salad!

So I can't wait to tell you all about my weekend and surprise trip to TEXAS, which was super awesome, but it will have to wait because I want to upload pictures, and I haven't yet because yesterday I passed out at about 5 pm after eating an unholy amount of chips and dip and didn't really wake up (except to try to pry my eyes open to watch Sister Wives for about 6 minutes before falling asleep again) until it was time to get ready for work this morning.

I love getting a lot of sleep.

So anyway, as you may have noticed, my posts lately have been really cyclical. They go from "I'm excited to be alive!" to "what if I get a flood of rejection letters and I look like an idiot," to "wah wah I have high school regrets" to "Happy Monday everyone!" Well - maybe this is normal, but I'm doing my best to balance out and not be so reactive to everything around me. This is hard for me, because I'm drama queen, but I'm working on it. I focus a lot on things in the past that I regret or am embarassed about, and I view them out of context (like, I was 15, etc) and of course, I never remember the moments where I was terrific and honorable.

Right now I'm pretty insecure because of the uncertainty of my future, where we'll live, if I'll get into a program, will we settle down in our next place, and so on. This makes me bring up all of the insecurities I've had in the past and basically obsess over them. I want to enjoy today, and each new moment, but its so much easier said than done. I want to be the laid-back, easy going type, but well, lets get real. Still, I'm going to give myself a little bit more of a break... and try to see each moment as new.

Last night I got a rejection letter, (since we were out of town I didn't get it until we got back,) and it wasn't the least bit horrifically devastating. I would go as far to say it wasn't that bad. That program and I weren't a good match... its very academically oriented with less clinical emphasis, but I applied to cover my bases. And well, I would have been happy to go there, but I won't be. And as evidence suggests, I probably won't lose sleep over it.

Alright then, hope everyone else is having a great beginning of the week!

And Thankful Thursday

2010-09-23T08:56:00.000-07:00

so now that I have all of that out of the way, onto Thankful Thursday!

Today I'm thankful for ....

Arrid Extra Dry Antiperspirant Clear Gel in Morning Clean!

I love this deodorant. I got it a few weeks ago, and there was someone else in the deodorant aisle and we were both kind of embarrassed about it, and so I hurriedly picked this one. Then I got home and was sad that it was gel. But not for long, because its awesome! It's really effective but not so strong that it burns my underarms. I love love love it.

So today - Thankful Thursday goes to you, Arrid! Happy Thursday everyone!

Awkward Thursday

2010-09-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I'm not sure where to draw the line between what to blog about, and what to keep private. Somethings are obvious, others less so. For example - do I want to have the kind of blog where I "put it all out there," or just highlights and some filtered lowlights? The blogs I enjoy reading are the former, because well, they're real, and I can relate. But at the same time, am I that brave? And if I do lay all of my crazy worries and fears and bad days out there, will I seem like a whiny baby who can't handle two good jobs and being on the precipice of financial stability, with a great partner in my life? (you're probably like wait, that's not what you've been doing, you whiny baby?)
I guess maybe I'll try to be more real and honest on here - maybe it will be boring and complain-y and I'll stop, we'll see.
So what's on the agenda for today you ask? Is it another dose of residency application induced anxiety? As a matter of fact, no... but anxiety nonetheless.
Right now I'm worried about what will happen if we move back to Texas. A lot of this has to do with the constant beating myself up about how I've acted in the past, particularly in high school. And how I felt like I never fit in. Why most of my memories are about high school right now, and not like, dental school, which was much more recent - and although stressful, was awesome because I made the best friends anyone could ask for, is beyond me. I think about what a jerk kid I was in high school, how I should have been nicer, and less like, well, a high school kid. I shouldn't have thought cheerleading was so important, I should have flossed. I don't know, I should have done a lot of things differently. I was really self-conscious, and I was always worried that I was different. If we move back, even though I'm 10 years older, I still have a lot of the same hang-ups. Not the least of which is an uncomfortability with the Bible Belt. I'm not religious, although I do try to have some kind of spiritual pursuit. But nonetheless, that's a big part of my fear going back. In Massachusetts I feel like I fit in, some of the things that used to make me uncomfortable are a non-issue here. All of the women my age are doing similar things to what I'm doing. What if we move home and decide to have children? It wasn't even a week ago that I was contemplating the material benefits of not having children so that I could buy more things... so lets be serious, we're not there yet... but in the future. Will they feel weird that they don't have a mom will be home with them? Will my kids be less secure because I work? Will I be able to do fun things with them and make them feel special and loved, or will I be too tired from work? Lets not even start with the can of worms in the "what if I'm too old by the time I'm ready to have kids" flavor. Right now I can barely make dinner. Last night my husband was walking around and said "what happened to our house?" in a quiet murmur to himself, because its so messy. Of course, I got super mad at him and guilted him into cleaning the kitchen just for mentioning the obvious outloud. Then of course, what if someone from a Texas pediatric program somehow reads this and doesn't want me because not only am I obviously flawed, but I'm down on the Lone Star State? (Even though HELLO! One of those programs is one of my most hoped for ones. Please ask me for an interview.) Speaking of which...
on the upside, this anxiety is distracting me from my application anxiety, and I have the aforementioned two more applications I'm sending out during my lunch hour. I figure with this much effort some program somewhere will take me. And please, spare me the "think positive!"'s. That will earn you a positive kick in the ass.

Kitchen inspiration

2010-09-22T06:33:00.000-07:00

I was just reading Diana's blog over at Hormonal Imbalances, and she was talking about sticking to a grocery budget and planning meals for the week. I'm inspired, especially by her meal list for the week. Last night not only did I go to the grocery store for extra stuff that I forgot to get on Sunday, but I got extra extra stuff, including Twizzler Pull-and-Peels and chips that we ate until we weren't hungry for dinner, and I found my husband eating a twizzler for breakfast this morning. (Well, I would have too but I ran out of time and forgot to grab one on my way out. Those are GOOD.) To top it off, our dinner was a ready to cook fish number from the seafood counter, and it was pretty gross and we each took a bite and threw the rest away. Good thing we were full of Twizzlers and chips.
I just have a really hard time making dinner at the end of the day. I know its no excuse, but well, I don't have a better one. I need new recipes or something.
Well, in other news - I'm applying to two more programs, and I hope to get that stuff out by today and tomorrow. I don't really care if its crazy or not - I'm just doing it.
Alright then, have a great Wednesday everyone!

Relax

2010-09-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Is there anything more annoying than when you're really anxious, and someone who isn't in your position, and has never been, tells you to relax? Well, there probably is, but still. It just makes me annoyed, which adds to the overall feeling of anxiety.
But you know what calms me down? Cat videos like this one:

We all have our vices.

So I mentioned that yesterday at the bridal shower I talked to someone about the application process for pediatric dental residency. It was really nice of her to answer my questions, and she's fun and normal, and went to a great program. That being said, it wakened the beast. The one that makes me want to check all of the student websites about who's hearing from which program, and it made me freak out that I'm not competitive and I won't get in anywhere. And thanks, friends and family, who love me and think its impossible that I won't get in somewhere, but trust me, its a possibility.
This morning I was in the shower trying to breathe in the good, breathe out the bad. I think I learned that in the one yoga class I attended in college. It sort of helped, albeit temporarily. On the T this morning I got so worked up I almost burst into tears. I mean, oh. my. god. Elizabeth, calm down. I told myself I have done the best I can do. I just don't know what's worse - the fear of rejection or actually being rejected.

Alright then, maybe I should stop this here, this post is taking a turn for the worse into crazytown... and well, that's a ride I should spare you all from. If you need me I'll probably be there for the rest of the day.

Weekend Tidbits

2010-09-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend we continued our tradition of going to super nice restuarants straight from work, sitting at the bar, drinking, then ordering food almost as an afterthought. That's us, keeping it classy.

Photo credit

Friday we went to Craigie's on Main... you may remember that we tried to go there the weekend before, but it was too crowded. Well, as we are Gentiles, and this last Friday Yom Kippur began at sundown, we had no problem finding a seat this time.
I didn't take any pictures because well, it didn't take long for me to forget we'd brought the camera. Whoops. I swear, I don't really get that toasted on Friday evenings, its just I have one drink and get to talking, and I forget about the blog a little bit. This week our deep convo was:
Me: "If we don't have kids we could like, buy more stuff."
Joey: "Yes, that's true, but Elizabeth, children are our legacy. If we don't have kids, then when we die, that's it."
[I pause to consider how much I could consider my sister's future children as a continuation of my own genes.]
Me: "Yeah, OK."
So, I guess we will have children someday. And no, not just for our legacy, because I will actually like, love them and take care of them, etc.
ANYway, we ordered burgers, which you can only get on the bar menu, and they were awesome. They were also huge. This inevitably leads to me not being able to eat the whole thing, yet at the same time, eating more than I should. Then the waitress (or bartender, as of late,) comes to clear our plates and its like, "didn't you like it?!", and I'm like, "Oh it was delicious, I just can't eat so much." And she's like, "are you sure, you barely touched it." and I have to be defensive and like, "no I DID, it was HUGE." Then I throw in an extra "it was soooo gooood." So then I feel bad because I ate too much, but then I've insulted the waitstaff by not eating more. I mean really, I feel like saying "don't you see how big these things are? you serve them every five minutes." Half of the burger is probably enough for two people. Isn't eating half enough? Someday, I'm going to have a really good comeback to nip this annoying dialogue in the bud.
Saturday I did the laundry of course, and sort of half heartedly cleaned out house. I was cleaning our bathroom and forgot to shut the shower doors and maybe Leon drank some bathwater with Scrubbing Bubbles in it, but he seems alright. Then Saturday night we went to Tangierino in Charlestown.

Photo Credit

Joey somehow used his supernatural parallel parking abilities to get our car into a spot right in front too. Again, none of our own pictures, I know, lame.

Photo Credit

Its very cozy and romantic on the inside, so that was a bonus. The food was pretty good too. Joey had a lamb dish that I think had the word Sultan in it - fancy! And I had the vegetable couscous. I always love a good vegetable medley. I sort of expected some belly dancing, especially since I saw the dancer walking around... but she didn't dance. Maybe she did after we left. And well, also, not to be a Debbie Downer, but there was a picture of a woman wearing a burka over our table, like, not the fun belly dancing veil, and well, I suppose I just find that depressing... yeah- that does sound Debbie Downer-ish. Well, I'll go ahead and maintain it isn't my fault some countries haven't made it into the new millenium. Anyway, it was fun and romantic. And it was good to go to Charlestown... we never go over there. And, I can't wait to see the movie.

Sunday Joey watched the Cowboy game and I went to a bridal shower for our friend, and Joey's former co-resident, Helen. It was good to meet her friends, one of whom is a pediatric dentist and really nice. She answered some of my questions about the application process. Then I as luck would have it I won a game - that you don't even really have to "play." A timer went off as Helen opened my gift and I won a fall scented candle! I was so happy, and also thankful to Crate and Barrel for using all that tape on the box. I'm definitely repeating that game in the future if I throw another shower. Then we got parting cupcakes and candy. All in all a good time.

I hope you all had a great weekend too, and good Mondays to all.

Monster

2010-09-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

I think we have a monster under our bed:

Ohhh my cat is so cute. Anyway - this week was a really good one at work so far, especially at my community health center. Everyone came to work, albeit some more readily/on-time than others, but we weren't as short-staffed as usual, making the days much more smooth. So I don't have much to say - other than I want to post when things are good at work too. Goooo work! Well, I guess Becky and I did see a man urinating in our parking lot today before joining his other transient friend for some more swigs of booze in back street. Well, what can I say... keeps things interesting.
Today I was driving back from Dorchester and I saw a little boy running from the bus to his mom while trying to keep his big backpack on. It was so precious. I have to say, part of me got a little sad because I thought about how dangerous that neighborhood is, and I can't help but wonder how he'll grow up and what will happen to him. He was probably only 5 or 6, who knows, hopefully they'll move. Most of the violent crimes there are committed by male teenagers... like 15-16 year olds. Alright, I'll save further elaboration about that for another day.
I guess I should make dinner then so we don't have dinner at 10pm like we did on Monday when I insisted we have twice baked potatoes baked in the actual oven. I wish I could say that will never happen again but I tend to make the same mistakes over and over.
Goodnight all - hope your Wednesday was great too!

Tuesday's Teeth: How to Manage a Knockout

2010-09-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Warning - bloody picture below.

So today I want to talk about how to manage an avulsed permanent tooth. Obviously kids lose baby teeth all the time, and if those are avulsed, or knocked out, its not likely that we'll reimplant them. Doing so can cause the primary tooth to fuse with the bone, or ankylose, and cause problems for the eruption of the permanent tooth. .
Children most often will have an avulsed tooth at home or at school, and its usually a front tooth on the upper jaw, aka a maxillary anterior tooth. These teeth tend to erupt in an anterior direction towards the lips, and this splayed eruption pattern predisposes these teeth to avulsion. If this ever happens with your child, time is critical, and if you can manage a few of the primary steps at home immediately after the accident then it will considerably help with the outcome.

Photo Credit

So first things first - find the tooth. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it under cold water. Do not scrub the root. You do not want to cause any further damage to the periodontal ligament, or PDL, which is the ligament that adheres the tooth to the bone. There will be PDL cells on the root, and you do not want them to be removed by vigorous cleaning.

Photo Credit

Second, reimplant the tooth. I realize this might be scary, and you might not be sure which way the tooth should face. Hopefully your child's adjacent tooth will be erupted and not damaged, and can serve as a guide. If it is a maxillary anterior tooth, there will be a concave side and convex side, the concave side should face the tongue/palate, and the convex side should face the lips. The above picture is a side view, the left side is the tongue/palate side, and the right side is the lip side. Hold the tooth by the crown only, not the root. Do your best to reimplant the tooth, because if this is done immediately, the prognosis for the tooth is much more favorable. Have your child bite gently to hold the tooth in place.

If you're unable to reimplant the tooth, store it in either milk, or something called Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, or HBSS. I realize you probably don't have this at home, but you can purchase something like this:

You can click here to read more about the product.

Ideally, the tooth should be reimplanted within the first 15 minutes. If the tooth is out of the mouth for 60 minutes it is unlikely that reimplanting the tooth will be successful.

Third - get to a dentist ASAP. He or she will evaluate the tooth, reimplant if necessary, and likely place a splint to hold the tooth in place.

Photo Credit

The dentist may elect to do root canal therapy on the tooth at this visit as well. The trauma sustained to the tooth makes in unlikely for the tooth be remain viable, and root canal therapy will prevent necrosis and/or infection of the nerve and blood supply inside of the tooth. Your dentist will follow your child and determine how long the splint should be worn, and when root canal therapy should be initiated.

I should point out that this same protocol is followed for adults, so if you're playing softball with someone and this happens, or you get into a bar room brawl, follow the same steps.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Daily Gifts

2010-09-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after my first patient I came back to my desk to find presents... you know, just for no reason.

TOTALLY made my day.

On the left you'll see some socks with teeth on them from my bomb dig codentist Mara, on the right, a reusable Au Bon Pain coffee mug so that I can get coffee for a dollar, from our hygienest, Kathy.

Thank you girlfriends!

Oh wait, you want a close up of the socks? Here!

See how some teeth have cavities, so they're sad? HA! Love them. That was the best Monday I've had since I can remember. AND Leon made Monday's Pets On Furniture. I would hi-five myself but then it would just be me clapping.

In other news - Happy Birthday to another one of my good friends - Carolina!

Happy Birthday Carolina!

I hope that you have a great day and the sun is shining in Seattle!

Land sakes alive!

2010-09-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

HE MADE IT! My Leon is famous!

http://www.desiretoinspire.net/

Scroll down to "Monday's Pets on Furniture."
I couldn't be prouder.

Divine Providence

2010-09-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun weekend. On Friday Joey came to pick me up at work - and we went to Cuchi Cuchi. I'm usually reluctant to go there because well, the past two times we've gone we've been pseudo kicked out for staying too long. Initially we tried to go to Craigie's on Main, and after we saw we'd have to wait to sit at the bar, we bounced out and went to Cuchi Cuchi by default. Well, apparently, we just need to sit at the bar, and our previous problems are solved. The bartender made Joey a special drink, and I had some cocktails from the menu. These things are amazing. Usually I'm half in the bag after the first one, which only encourages me to order more. Then before I knew it I was lip synching to songs I didn't know and it was time to get the check.

Photo credit

Afterwards we decided to get ice cream at JP Licks, our favorite... and I felt like, so cool that we went out and did multiple things... then I looked at my watch, and it was 8:47 pm. Most people weren't even out on the town yet... people were probably still taking their pre-going out naps, or whatever it is they do to stay out so late. Oh well, we were in bed by 10, which I mean please, is a blessing as far as I'm concerned.

Saturday I picked up Joey from work and we decided to go to Providence for dinner. We wanted to take a long(ish) drive in our new ride, and I'm trying to be spontaneous, so I brought a bag of clothes for Joey and proposed the idea. This is the kind of thing where I would look at Joey as if he was nuts if he asked if I wanted to go to Providence after a long week, then a long Saturday of working, but Joey is always down for a good time and something new, and so we went.

We had dinner at the Old Canteen. I loved it... the waitstaff was really nice, you don't always get that in Boston (see above.) The inside has not been redecorated since the late 50's, which I also loved.

Here we are - don't mind that I look uptight. I always want our picture taken, then when the waitress takes it I get self-conscious.

Sunday we had a fun day of window shopping on Newbury. Joey tried on coats at Barbour, his favorite Newbury St. pasttime, and I sat in their comfortable chairs. Delightful! Then we managed to declutter our house a little bit, which is a small miracle. Having our new car means we want to take it everywhere, which leads to fun weekends. Now that's a good purchase, I say!

and last but not least - Happy Birthday to my dear friend Toni!

Toni is on the far right.

I miss you a lot lady friend! I'm thinking of you today and I hope your birthday is great. Lots and lots of love.

Twitter

2010-09-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

I refuse to be too old and dumb to know how to use twitter, but at the same time, I don't know how to use twitter.
Why are there # signs? What exactly am I supposed to be tweeting? Is it just like fb status updates? Then some people, like the kardashians, for example, tweeting pictures all the time. Am I supposed to do that?
And is asking all these questions indicative that I'm too old and dumb to use twitter?
What is with all of the shorthand? Will younger generations know how to spell?
I don't know, I need a glass of wine.
OK, got one.
I used to love fb, but my status updates seemed to indicate that I hate my job... whereas now I just post on my blog where I think (/hope) it puts everything into a more comprehensive context, because I love my jobs. This is just so. much. internet. Is it too much?
I think the twitter thing might be better if I had an iphone, because it seems like something you do on the go, am I wrong?

Alrighty then. Joey and I are watching the Cowboys vs Redskins. I should probably try to follow it so that I have something to talk to my patients about. Except they'll want to talk about the Patriots. Dang it.

Just a thank-you

2010-09-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write a September 11th post but I couldn't do it. I don't know why... maybe because I don't think I can put into words how much I appreciate the police officers and fire fighters who sacrificed their lives, running into those buildings to save people when they knew they might not come out. I can't imagine that kind of courage. Let alone the soldiers that are overseas right now fighting for a cause they believe in.
I'll spare you what I was doing on Sept. 11, 2001... but I will say that it was the beginning of one of the lowest points in my life. At the same time, I don't think that I really deserve to have that as a low point, compared to so many families who were affected by the loss of loved ones in the planes, towers, or as first responders. Everything seemed to be coming undone and it was as if the world was off of its axis. It was awful.
I think it makes us feel a unique one-ness as Americans, experiencing that kind of tragedy... knowing that those firefighters and police officers didn't know those people in the towers, but ran in to help them because of their sense of duty, just like it could have been me up there, and the firemen or cops around the street the same ones who rushed in to the WTC that day. Of course, these men risk their lives all the time for people like me... but I guess what I'm trying to say is how much I appreciate it. So I would like to throw that out there into the universe. I have infinite amounts of respect for people that will do their best to keep me and my loved ones safe, thank-you.

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-09T03:30:00.000-07:00

Old picture, but oh well, that was a fun day.

Today I'm thankful for:

1. Joey

2. Selling our car

3. That my parents answer the phone each of the five times I excitedly call them each night, like for example, when I think Joey is downstairs selling our car

4. Underground garage parking

5. My grandma for knowing the answers to our legal questions as we called her immediately after selling our car to make sure we didn't do anything illegal, even though it was probably too late anyway (we're all clear)

6. Fall is here and I can wear my boots! (and you are correct if you noticed this was a separate post until I just realized I could consolidate..)

I really love these boots, and when I got them last year it was already January... which means wet and rainy and will ruin your boots. I can't wait to wear them all over the place. YES! (fist pump.)

Just another day at the office

2010-09-08T07:35:00.000-07:00

So as you may remember, I work in two offices... one of which has tried my already tried and tired patience until just about the last drop has been squeezed out of my impatient little head. Now most of the time I walk around angry and frustrated while I'm at work.
Today for example, I came to work a little early so that I could catch up on paperwork. No need to do that it seems, as the parking lot is still gated and locked shut. I wait for 15 minutes for the custodian to open it up. No problem really, I sort of expected this. Not mad yet.
I come in, its 15 minutes before the start of the first appointment. We have no one at the front desk to check in the patients. She doesn't come until almost 10 minutes into the first appointment time. My first patient is checked in at 9:10 am, for a 30 minute appointment. This means 1/3 of the appointment time was hypothetically spent in the receptionist's car as she makes her way to work. This is not unusual, but I do find this frustrating. And so it begins. My patient does not speak English, which again, is typical, and does not make me angry. I do have to go looking around the office for my assistant who is sitting in the lab, fanning herself, and the frustration increases just a titch. When I tell her we have a patient, she snaps, "I'm feeling faint so you're just going to have to give me a second with the fan." A second assistant hurriedly plugs in the fan. I offer to get her water. She says she wants her own water from the fridge. I bring it, she tells me its the wrong one, but she'll drink it anyway. And so here we have it. I haven't even started the day and I'm already ready to walk out the door.
I find another assistant to translate for me, and finish the appointment by myself.
Why not insist she come in and help, and by help I mean, do her job? Well my friends, because believe it or not, it isn't worth it. This particular assistant loves a good fight, and its only 9:30 in the morning by this point. I leave the room for her to clean, and she comes in and explains that she has anxiety related to childcare. Oh yeah, that makes sense. I guess if ever we get anxious about something we should anticipate a complete inability to perform our jobs. Good thing no one else has any problems, this place would have to totally shut down.
I know I need to be patient, but I don't need to be a doormat. I'm getting tired of trying to lead by example, and I'm not their boss so I can't really do anything about their behavior. Nevermind the million other reasons this is really annoying, like being in school for 100 years and how I might as well get paid in pennies to be at this clinic.
So... why do I work here? It used to be that I really loved the community and I felt like I was doing something of value. Well, I've since learned that the services ain't any less valuable at my other office because hard-working people pay for them. And now... I don't know. I still like the community, but I'm burning out. One of my coworkers here is the best, and our director is so amazing. Plus he gave me a job right out of my residency when no one else wanted to hire me. The rest of the dentists were trained elsewhere and its difficult for me to communicate with them and be on the same page regarding patient care... and the day to day seems to be getting harder and harder. Guess we'll have to see if it gets better in the next few months. I hope so.

Watch Out Wednesday

2010-09-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

Leon's favorite game is a combination of being chased all over the apartment, then running behind this chair and leaping at you when you slowing look over the side. He won't jump until he sees your eyes... which is hard to appreciate with the camera. He's so cute.
Happy Wednesday!

And Sold!

2010-09-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

To the man from New Hampshire with a flat bed trailer!

That's right... my husband successfully sold our car in just under 24h. I mean, who could say no to this face?

Oh navy blue Audi, I will miss you. As a hand-me-up from my very glamorous cousin Sarah, I was so excited to hear that you would be our car in Boston. I think I squealed at the prospect of driving such a fancy car. An AUDI! That's German engineering!

We had our ups and downs, as you're a manual transmission, (or should I say jolts and stalls, ha!) and it took me a long, long time to commit to driving you. I'll never forget when I had to go to a job interview in Worcester all by myself, and drive alone for the first time... then on the way back I missed the exit for the Mass Pike and thought taking Rte 9 back to Boston would be the same. Super not the same. We stalled at every single red light on the way back to Boston... I would approach every intersection and chant "stay green, stay green, stay green." and try not to tear up as the light changed... everyone honked at me, there was some yelling (and I may or may not have stuck my middle through the sunroof a few times, sorry Grandma,) but after that, I had it. And now our new car is a manual transmission... I'm a changed woman!

I will miss you little car. Enjoy your new home.

And now, the Audi through photo memories:

Our first winter in Boston 2008.

Scrub a Dubbing Spring 2010...

doing the interior ourselves.

Marblehead Staycation Spring 2010.

OK maybe we don't have that many pictures of fun memories with the car... but I'll remember them anyway. Goodnight little car, and good-bye.