A Tooth to Grind

Who Wants to Read about Duck Genitalia?

2007-05-04T08:30:00.000-07:00

Most of you who are avid readers of the New York Times have probably already seen this article prominently featured in the Science section (and carried on several of the "most read/blogged" lists), but for those of you who haven't, I strongly encourage you to check it out now.

I have to admit that I was as surprised as the next casual observer when I first saw this article featured in the Times (particularly after seeing how popular it had become) but, after reading through it, realized where its appeal lay. Obviously, the biggest hook for most readers will come in the title, which features the phrases "war of the sexes" and "evolution of genitalia," two surefire ways of drawing the attention of even the most jaded/demanding news consumer.

But, to be fair, when it comes down to it it's actually a very interesting article, especially for those of us who studied evolution and ecology during our undergraduate years. The basic premise is that male ducks have had to adapt to the growing evolutionary forces driving sexual reproduction by developing ever larger phalluses (i.e. penises) to ensure that their sperm fertilizes the females' eggs. In response, females have had to develop ever more elaborate oviducts (think twisting passageways, random nooks/crannies, etc) to ensure that only the "best" males get to fertilize their precious cargo. This is really a brief synopsis of the piece so I heartily recommend you examine it in its entirety to get the whole picture.

Putting Things into Context

2007-04-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've all heard that tired cliche that goes something like this (my apologies in advance for butchering it): "I feel like just a speck of dust in the universe." Well, I've just stumbled upon a cool picture in a fascinating Discover blog posting that lends credence to this thought, at least in terms of the wider blogosphere (i.e. all the blogs in existence).

The post cites studies that suggest that approximately 60 million blogs are now online and that about 175,000 more are created every day (or, in other words, 2 every second). Now keep in mind that most of these new blogs are, in the words of the blogger, "either abandoned or isolated," so the sheer number doesn't necessarily signify much (yours truly is a case in point). The blogger then ventures into some of the more popular blogs (both by number of links and page views), including Daily Kos and Boing Boing (two of my absolute favorites, one for the politics, the other for the eclectic mix of postings), and provides a nice concise explanation of how some blogs hit the big time while others fade into obscurity.

I believe my blog falls into the latter category.

The blogosphere is the most explosive social network you’ll never see. Recent studies suggest that nearly 60 million blogs exist online, and about 175,000 more crop up daily (that’s about 2 every second). Even though the vast majority of blogs are either abandoned or isolated, many bloggers like to link to other Web sites. These links allow analysts to track trends in blogs and identify the most popular topics of data exchange. Social media expert Matthew Hurst recently collected link data for six weeks and produced this plot of the most active and interconnected parts of the blogosphere.

Eclectic Music Selection

2007-04-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

Wow, two posts within the same hour? I apparently have WAY too much time on my hands.

It's been a little while since my last MP3 batch upload so I thought I'd indulge you this week with some choice cuts from my past few weeks' playlist. There's a little bit of everything here so this should (hopefully) appease even the more demanding musical palates out there:

- Battles: Atlas (excellent New York-based electronic/techno indie rock)
- Patrick Wolf: Overture (amazing violin-laced indie/electronic rock, peep the cover art above; scandalous, no?)
- The Apples in Stereo: Energy (just makes you want to grin from ear to ear, it's that infectious)

Time Flies...

2007-04-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

It's funny how every time I write a post I tell myself that I'll be up and writing the next one within the next day or, at most, next two days. It's funny because it never actually happens (as I'm sure you've all already noticed). So yes, another week almost done and gone (thankfully) and another midterm under the belt means I can finally return to more "entertaining" activities (at least in my book), such as blogging (duh), reading and catching up on all those delightful Daily Show and Colbert Report episodes I've been missing out on.

Of course this is only a minor reprieve as I'll once again be plunging into midterms galore next week with two test cases (basically pre-clinical lab exams), one midterm and a Powerpoint project. Joy.

On a different note, I'm happy to say that last Friday was a blast and that I really enjoyed listening to and meeting with Assemblyman Mark Leno and interacting with the pharmacy students for their first ever "leg" (short for legislation) day. It didn't hurt that I got a fancy dinner that night free of charge at the Alumni House (a sweet pad, if I do say so myself) and enjoyed a lively discussion with some faculty members and other students. For a recap of Leno's speech, feel free to read my article on it, which will be out in tomorrow's edition of Synapse (another shameless plug, I know).

And Life Goes On...

2007-04-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Has it really already been five days since the last time I posted? Notwithstanding the amount of work I have (and keep on being given), it's always amazing to me how much dental school just seems to sap all my free energy/time (however little remains after classes, that is). As much as I'd like to post more regularly, I am constantly confronted by the realities of "life" as a dental student (particularly its limits) and am thus forced to relinquish all pretentions to having enough leisure time to update the blog on a regular basis.

Having said that, however, I am NOW posting so I thought I'd clue you in on the latest developments in my so-called life. The first item that's been occupying most of my time: I have another midterm coming up this Monday on metabolism/biochemistry (in other words, LOADS of fun).

That's the ugly part.

On a brighter note, today I will have the pleasure of meeting Assemblyman Mark Leno who is running for the State Senate this year (SD-03 to be more specific) and is a great supporter of SB840, a bill that would help institute a universal healthcare system in California. I'm looking forward to picking his brain about this and other critical issues facing the state and can genuinely say, as a devoted politico/current events nerd, that he is one of the "good" politicians.

In the Lab

2007-04-15T20:44:00.000-07:00

So I'm sure some of you have been burning to see WHAT exactly it is I do when I venture into the preclinical lab (or, as I like to call it, the dungeon). While most of my experiences there are too disturbing to share (OK, I'm exaggerating), I thought I'd share two pictures of the before and after process of cutting a "prep" (short for preparation) before placing a composite filling.

Here's the before (you're looking at tooth #7, i.e. the right lateral incisor):

(NOTE: the green tissue-looking thing is a "rubber dam," used to prevent water from getting into the patient's mouth, NOTE #2: and no, I'm not doing this in an ACTUAL patient's mouth)

And here's the after (after having cut two preparations):

Enjoy!

Too Good to Pass Up

2007-04-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

I promised myself that I would try to keep my politics out of this blog (my columns serve that function effectively enough), but I couldn't bear to not share this hilarious picture with you:

Nothing better than an unintended juxtaposition to create some hilarity...

Forward and Onward

2007-04-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

Well, another week and another midterm are now officially history and although I won't be able to enjoy the weekend as much as I would've liked (trying to take care of some extra preclinical work and getting a head start on a research project), it will still be NICE to have a few days off without having to contemplate the looming specter of another exam. I'm exaggerating here a bit, of course: the first midterm really wasn't all THAT bad though I'm sure I still made a fair number of honest (and careless) mistakes, a problem that has increasingly dogged me since I started at UCSF.

On a more pleasant note, an art show I helped coordinate with a first-year pharmacy student (and fellow Synapse blogger), Tina Lee, went very smoothly and attracted a respectable amount of critical attention. Above all it was a great diversion from my studying (it took place the evening before my midterm) and allowed me to blow off some steam while admiring some of my UCSF colleagues' stunning work (photography, paintings and poetry all included). Let me also use this forum to congratulate Tina (check out her personal blog here) again for a job very well done and for winning first place in the painting rubric (a well-deserved recognition).

Finally, the keen observers amongst you (in other words, those with a lot of time on their hands) will notice that I just updated my blogroll with one more, Creek Running North, an excellent nature and science blog (sprinkled in with the occasional political/social commentary) written by the illustrious Chris Clarke. I've long been a follower of this blog and similar ones written by a variety of scientists and journalists, but the reason why I chose to highlight this one is because Chris Clarke will be coming to work for Synapse beginning next week. Tim Neagle, the managing editor of Synapse, met Chris Clarke during the dot-com boom when they worked on an online environmental/nature news site known as verde (which, along with many other internet start-ups, flopped soon after its unveiling) and was key in bringing him onto the staff. I am very much looking forward to picking his brain and talking to him about his considerable experience working as a science writer and journalist.

Shameless Plug

2007-04-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

As much as I hate doing these (well, OK, maybe not all that much), I thought I'd point you towards some of my journalistic work online. Many of your probably already know that I write weekly columns/articles for UCSF's paper, Synapse, but you might NOT know that I also write for OhmyNews International, an independent online news website based in Seoul, South Korea. Granted, I submit a lot of the same articles I write for Synapse to this website, but I also sometimes write up articles there based on the feedback I get from the many talented editors.

Most of my stories have a political/news bent, but I've also written a few stories on more tech-oriented material (my being a HUGE technology whore and all), such as the Web 2.0 movement and the Apple iPhone. So go indulge your journalistic hunger (and indulge me at the same time) by directing your browser to http://english.ohmynews.com and looking around for one of my articles (or more depending on how much time you have). You (hopefully) won't regret it.

Even More Music: British Edition

2007-04-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me well will probably not be too surprised by my next choice of MP3 selections. Now for those of you who DON'T know me and my musical preferences well, you'll soon realize that I adore, simply ADORE, British music (Britpop, Britrock, whatever you want to call it). Indeed, I count several of these groups, including the inimitable Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads and Bloc Party, amongst my favorite bands.

As I've already told some of you, I have felt equal parts elated and distressed about the fact that several of said bands have all released their second albums within the period of the last few weeks. While the reason behind my elatedness is pretty obvious (lots of good music = happy Jeremy), the reason why I have felt some measure of distress is harder to see. In essence, it boils down to this simple formula: more time spent listening to good music = less time spent on studying/working. Ah well, so it goes.

So without further ado, here are some choice cuts from some of the albums I've been spending most of my waking hours listening to:

- Maximo Park: Girls Who Play Guitars
- Good Shoes: We Are Not the Same
- The Maccabees: About Your Dress

Enjoy (or not)!

And Now for Something Completely Different...

2007-04-05T23:57:00.000-07:00

OK, so this next post doesn't really fit in well with either the whole "new features" pledge I made to you a few days back or my habitual d-school banter. In fact, it doesn't really impart any meaningful information at all. Which is why I decided to write it anyways.

So, to cut to the chase, I just wanted to use this post to showcase this awesome tie I saw while trolling my list of blogs the other day:

It's called the 8-bit tie (did I mention how absurdly awesome it is?) and I want it. Originally conceptualized as an April Fool's Joke by the clever folks at Think Geek, the response by readers/buyers was so overwhelming that they decided to actually make and sell it. In short, I am now eagerly awaiting the release of this sweet, sweet tie (clip-on too, take that you snobby tie-knotters!) and, to ensure that my wait is minimal, have put my name on the waiting list to get it. That's all. You may now return to your usual chores.

Experience So Far

2007-04-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m near the end of my first week of courses for the spring quarter, and so far I have to say that my experience has been mixed. First, the good news: although it seems that the subject material will be much more rigorous and challenging (physiology isn’t rocket science but it’s damn close in my book), the lectures on it have been very interesting so far and, between you and me, I’d much rather spend time studying this than sitting in the preclinical lab. Also, because one of my ISOs (Independent Study Option for those of you not in the know) still falls on Friday afternoons, I get to enjoy a somewhat prolonged weekend though I have a feeling I’ll be spending most of those afternoons in the lab catching up on my work.

Now for the bad news (which I’m sure you’re much more interested in hearing about): the preclinical work, though there is less of it, will most likely be as difficult as this past quarter’s, if not worse. Some might say, with just reason, that one SHOULD expect the coursework to become more difficult as the year progresses and, assuming the school is intent on producing skilled, capable clinicians, that the faculty therefore should have the responsibility of appropriately ratcheting up the pressure. All valid reasons, of course, but allow me to issue my own counter-argument.

While I won’t deny that increasing the complexity and quantity of preclinical lab work will, in the short run, cause a proportional increase in the quality of work produced, I believe that in the long run we’d be better served by reinforcing the techniques we’ve learned by repeating them at intervals instead of cramming them all into a short window of time and then hoping we can recall them once we return to them a few years later in the clinic. Furthermore, because we have so much other coursework to worry about (primarily the biomedical sciences coursework I discussed above), it makes more sense to me that we should lower the expectations a bit in other difficult courses to allow the students to feel less concerned and have the flexibility of focusing their efforts more effectively on mastering it.

That’s my shpiel. No doubt I’ve left my arguments open to all sorts of attacks (to which I would say: bring it on!), and I’m sure that reasonable individuals will vehemently disagree with the premise of my rationale and its tenets. This is simply my personal opinion and it should therefore be read as such.

For Real, Yo

2007-04-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

There's something to be said about the Joys of Losing Weight. And, no, before some of you start jumping to conclusions (perhaps assuming I've been attempting to shed some weight over the past few days, perish the thought), let me just clarify that "The Joys of Losing Weight" is actually the name of an (sadly, unreleased) album. Crafted by a younger Zach Condon, of Beirut fame (at least to me, most of you probably haven't heard of him or his recent debut, Gulag Orkestrar), this sublime collection of tracks encompasses what I love most about this artist: beautiful, melodic tunes and inspired lyrics sung in his inimitable voice. Going by the stage name The Real People, Condon and his able troupe of musicians composed this work a few years ago but never released it as an LP.

For those of you familiar with Condon's brand of (what I like to call) gypsy rock, this is certainly a departure, but a welcome one that only underlies his tremendous talent and versatility. Since you're not likely to hear of this band anywhere else, I thought I'd indulge you with two of my favorite tracks:

- Track 3
- Track 8
(yes, both tracks lack titles so bear with me)

I'm sure many of you are probably wondering what this has to do with dentistry (or, really, anything in particular). Well, in an effort to broaden the appeal of this blog (past the two or three of you who "regularly" read it), I've decided to implement some new features (this is but one of them) to give it some more "pizzazz". Featuring music I've recently discovered will (hopefully) become a regular feature since it's one of the few things in life I enjoy as much as reading/blogging, and I'll even let you in on some of the fun by giving you the opportunity to download said music (only within the period of a few days however, lest the RIAA or some other body come knocking at my door) if you so desire.

Feel free to give me some input if you're interested in one particular feature or another (such as my "currently reading" list or random music videos I've recently discovered as well). Enjoy!

Uh... Ouch?

2007-03-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

While I am tempted to play down the severity of the drubbing UCLA took at the hands of the (much better) Florida squad (they were never really a good match, Afflalo had a HORRIBLE night, they got demoralized early on, etc), I think I'll resist it and simply concede the inevitable: UCLA simply can't cut it when it comes down to the big games.

Now don't get me wrong, I've been overall pleased with UCLA's performance in the NCAA tourney so far, having won some challenging games against Pitt and Kansas, but it always seems as though the Bruins have a knack for choking/misfiring when the tire meets the rubber. Granted, as I mentioned in my previous post, the Florida squad was fortunate to have its top 5 starters from last year's championship winning team return in full form (Joachim Noah and Corey Brewster were outstanding again), but it was never really a fair match-up. We were outscored, outplayed, outrebounded... basically outmanned in every sense of the word.

I was so disgusted at one point with UCLA's performance that I was on the verge of simply turning off the TV but decided I should at least watch the rest of the game, however painful (and boy was it ever), as a loyal Bruin. Though the outcome was never really in question, I kept hoping that Howland's men would mount a last ditch surge and somehow even the score, perhaps even eking out a narrow, miraculous victory. Fat chance, I know.

Well, all I can say is that Florida better beat Ohio State in the championship game this Monday. At least then I'll have the satisfaction of knowing that we lost to the best damn team in the country. For the second time in a row.

Blogging the Final Four: UCLA vs. Florida

2007-03-31T18:08:00.000-07:00

So it's finally upon us... The rematch of the century (OK, maybe not SO much) between the two teams that disputed the NCAA title last year has just started, and your humble scribe couldn't be MORE excited. Granted, the odds are still against my beloved Bruins (with all sports commentators/forecasters worth their dime predicting a Florida victory and repeat win on Monday against Ohio State) but, if anything else, I'm expecting Afflalo, Collison and crew to give them a run for their money. Obviously, for the Bruins to even have a chance of cracking the formidable Gator squad (with 5 starters running from last year's champion squad), they'll have to fire on all counts, not make any stupid mistakes (definitely not a given) and put up the best defense they can muster under the net.

If, and only IF, they can perform to the best of their ability do they have a chance of keeping up (and, do I dare dream, "defeat") with the Florida players. Well, the game's just about to start. Here goes nothing!

UPDATE: Not looking too good right now. Afflalo has already been benched with 3 fouls with less than 5 minutes played. UCLA NEEDS him on the floor scoring points (like he did spectacularly against Kansas a week ago) if it wants to have a chance of winning. Talk about a good start...

Media Overload

2007-03-29T15:18:00.001-07:00

For any of you even remotely familiar with Orange County and, particularly, the Anaheim-Yorba Linda area, it won't come as a surprise for you to hear that I've been spending most of my days at HOME, instead of going out and seeing the (non-existent) "sights". Far be it from me to convey any sense of self-pity through this statement, however.

In fact, I've been enjoying myself tremendously, spending most of my waking time watching various movies (I've probably watched more movies over the period of three days than I have over the past few months), including The Departed, Borat (which wasn't nearly as hilarious as I thought it would be), Pan's Labyrinth, The Prestige and The Host. Also, as befits my uber-nerdy interests, I've spent a LOT of time reading through blogs, news articles and a few books, an activity that I've sorely missed while at school.

It is therefore with a bit of sadness that I look to returning back to San Francisco tomorrow night, a few days before I resume classes again (Monday, April 2 to be precise) to take care of a few errands and some extracurricular work. The next time you hear from me, then, I will once again be writing from the windy/foggy recesses of SF. I can't wait.

Nawlins Recap

2007-03-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

I'm sure it came as no surprise to most of you that I did not, in fact, post regular updates on my trip to New Orleans. In my defense, however, I'd like to cite two critical factors that resulted in my lack of blogging: little to no wireless connection at my hotel and the NCAA tournament.

While I was able to go online at the convention center to check my e-mails, some current events and a few research-related matters, I was very pressed for time and ended up spending most of my time attending talks, examining posters and talking to faculty members and students from different schools. Trying to connect from my hotel was a virtual non-starter: although I ended up paying for the ability to access a wireless network (I know, I know, I'm a real netwhore), I was sorely disappointed to find that I could, at best, stay connected for up to 5 minutes before I got kicked off again. In addition, the fact that I spent most of my free time (outside of visiting the city and attending the conference) watching the NCAA tournament (Go Bruins!) with some of my UCSF buds (and fellow UCLA alums) made it very difficult to take the time to hash out some intelligible and "entertaining" postings.

So now that I've made my amends, it's time to delve into the meat of my trip, which (not surprisingly) had to with visiting the actual city of New Orleans. Two things immediately came to mind as I spent my first few nights walking along the city with my friends and dining out: (1) holy shit, there are a LOT of bars and stripper joints here and (2) I've never seen so many fried food offerings on a menu before (that's not to say that the food wasn't good, however, I gorged on seafood gumbo, jambalaya, crawdads and oysters).

Walking along Bourbon Street (the street with the highest density of aforementioned businesses per square foot) was certainly an enjoyable if, at times, slightly disconcerting experience. Seeing prostitutes and pimps parade along the sidewalk in an effort to entice tourists (many of which were spring breaking college students) while strolling past very inebriated (see "wasted") men/women made for an eye-opening experience.

One clear highlight from my trip was going on an organized swamp tour with one of my friends. As one of the few pristine, natural settings outside of the city that has mostly recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the swamp was inhabitated by a lush and diverse array of wildlife and plants, including alligators, egrets, owls, water snakes, turtles and catfish. Though we regrettably weren't able to see some of the larger alligators, our tour guide did a commendable job of finding some of the more distinct and rare animal and plant species for us to see and taught us a great deal about the swamp ecosystem.

Overall, it was definitely a great trip though I am glad to be back at home in Yorba Linda to enjoy some quality time with my parents and (hopefully) some of my high school friends. Let's hope that my being at home contributes to more regular posting for the next few days!

Blogging from N'Ewlans!

2007-03-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

And yes, before you ask, I am aware that my spelling of the city name is slightly askew (but I saw it written that way in a restaurant name so I thought it'd be appropriate to give it some cultural spin). So anyways, I just got into New Orleans yesterday afternoon and, after spending some time dropping off my stuff and organizing my hotel room, proceeded to explore the city a bit, getting as far as several blocks down Canal Street (one of the main streets in the city).

What's my overall impression of the city so far? In three words: I like it. The architecture is very rustic but interesting (hearkening back to the plantation era), and the French Quarter is absolutely teeming with cool bars, restaurants and jazz clubs. I am currently taking a little break from my convention-attending duties, having spent the better part of the morning looking through poster presentations of some of my dental colleagues from across the country, and am planning on diving right back in as soon as I wrap up this entry.

I hope to update the blog every now and then during the next few days with any interesting tidbits or event updates as time permits, and will also do my best to convey a distillation of my experience visiting the Big Easy and exploring its culture and sites of interest.

Oh yes, so to end this posting, here's a small picture of the hotel I am staying at, the French Quarter Suites (not the best quality, I know, but you do what you can):

Guess Who's (Finally) Back...

2007-03-17T11:35:00.000-07:00

Wow, has it really already been two long weeks since the last time I posted? As much as I'd like to say that I'm surprised, doing so would only be kidding myself (and you, my loyal readers). So yes, as I expounded at length in my previous postings, I've been weathering what has been a tiring and challenging two weeks of finals, something I'm glad to say is now officially over (as of yesterday, 10:20 AM to be exact).

As you may imagine, I spent the next few hours immediately following my last exam vegging in front of my computer screen and lying in bed, two activities I've dearly missed over the past few days. Afterwards, I mustered up all the remaining energy I had and dragged myself to the gym, where I proceeded to jog for a short spell before the rigors of studying and lack of sleep overwhelmed my body and forced me to retire once again to the confines of my room and bed.

Having now rested up for a full night (sleeping an unprecedented 9 hours), I am busily taking care of a few random errands in anticipation of my flight to New Orleans in a few days to attend the IADR/AADR Research Conference (International Association of Dental Research / American Association of Dental Research). That should be a fun few days and, hopefully, if I'm as diligent as I hope to be (in other words, no promises) I'll be updating the blog with pictures of the conference floor and various posters.

All right, well, on that note, I will now return to packing up some stuff and finishing catching up on all of the reading (Wall Street Journal, New Yorker, The Economist, etc) that I've been forsaking for the past few days.

Saving Lives, One Extraction at a Time

2007-03-03T21:20:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure if you've had the chance to read this moving story from the Washington Post but, if you haven't, I strongly recommend you take a look here. It essentially reports on the case of a 12-year old boy, Deamonte Driver, who, because his mother wasn't able to afford an $80 extraction for him, passed away after the bacteria from his abscess spread to his brain. Here are some key excerpts:

"A routine, $80 tooth extraction might have saved him.

If his mother had been insured.

If his family had not lost its Medicaid.

If Medicaid dentists weren't so hard to find.

If his mother hadn't been focused on getting a dentist for his brother, who had six rotted teeth.

By the time Deamonte's own aching tooth got any attention, the bacteria from the abscess had spread to his brain, doctors said. After two operations and more than six weeks of hospital care, the Prince George's County boy died.

Deamonte's death and the ultimate cost of his care, which could total more than $250,000, underscore an often-overlooked concern in the debate over universal health coverage: dental care.

(...)

Fewer than 16 percent of Maryland's Medicaid children received restorative services -- such as filling cavities -- in 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available.

(...)

In spite of such modern innovations as the fluoridation of drinking water, tooth decay is still the single most common childhood disease nationwide, five times as common as asthma, experts say. Poor children are more than twice as likely to have cavities as their more affluent peers, research shows, but far less likely to get treatment.

Serious and costly medical consequences are "not uncommon," said Norman Tinanoff, chief of pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore. For instance, Deamonte's bill for two weeks at Children's alone was expected to be between $200,000 and $250,000.

The federal government requires states to provide oral health services to children through Medicaid programs, but the shortage of dentists who will treat indigent patients remains a major barrier to care, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures."

It just sickens me that the state of Medicaid in our country is so poor and that health insurance remains so hard to come by for most individuals of low income backgrounds that lives such as this young boy's are so needlessly lost. To think that a simple extraction could've solved his problems and saved his family and care providers from having to confront this tragedy...

Two to Go...

2007-03-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

So, before all hell breaks loose and I proceed to completely absent myself from this space, I thought I'd share with you a short perspective on my quarter so far.

As I've mentioned in previous postings, I'm almost amazed at just how fast this quarter has zoomed by me. I mean, to a certain extent, I've always felt that the quarter system seemed rushed (except for a few agonizing quarters during my undergraduate years, that is) and that I never really knew what was going on until the very end (by which time it was already too late).

All that really comes to mind as I sit back and consider the past weeks that have just gone by is how much #$#%& time I spent in the lab, breaking my back trying to finish up my various lab homework assignments. Excruciating? Yes. Lengthy? Excessively so. Fun? Surely not, unless you consider manual labor "fun".

OK, so maybe I'm making it out to seem exceedingly bad, but let's just say that I'm not exactly cut out for lab work (unlike some of my much more talented colleagues). Overall, though not entirely forgettable, the didactic component of this quarter wasn't superb either. Sure, it was fun to hear about the different bacteria that can kill/impair you (especially when they coincided with news reports I would vaguely hear on the TV) and where they came from, but (especially when it came to midterms), it all boiled down to a series of exercises in rote memorization.

Overall, though, it was a pretty good quarter though I can honestly say that I'm very much looking forward to spring break and my trip to New Orleans for the American Association of Dental Research (AADR) Conference (more about that in a subsequent posting).

I'll do my best to keep you updated on my latest travails and triumphs (more of the former, I'm expecting) within the next few days but no promises... for now.

Obligatory Post on Fleur de Lys

2007-02-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have heard that I did celebrate my birthday this past weekend (midterm be damned) by going out to Fleur de Lys, courtesy of my dear aunt, one of the poshest and most renowned restaurants in San Francisco. Though I'm much more of a big, hearty home-cooked meal kind of guy (the more food, the better!), I had a great time sampling some of the restaurant's specialties and pretending I was wealthy enough to eat there on a regular basis (which I'm obviously not).

While I was initially planning on taking pictures of all of my dishes to keep for posterity (or, alternatively, to stare at every now and then to satiate my desire to visit such restaurants) , I decided not to after the maitre d' and some of the other customers shot me looks of shock and disdain as I slowly started pulling out my camera. Since words really can't do justice to the myriad sensations and feelings I experienced while savoring the various dishes, I will provide a list of the menu items I had (you can check out the full details on Fleur de Lys' online menu):

Appetizer: Untraditional Ahi Tuna Tartar

Fish, Crustacean & Mollusk: King Salmon topped with Pistachio, Watercress Coulis

Meat, Poultry & Game: Marinated "Noisettes" of Venison

Dessert: Chocolate Souffle

Needless to say, it was AMAZING. I particularly enjoyed all the little "gifts" (i.e. small samples of various foods) that the waiter frequently gave us between meals to refresh our palate and allow us to explore some of the chef's other offerings.

Home Free.... For Now, At Least

2007-02-26T10:26:00.000-08:00

So, yes, I finally wrapped up my barrage of midterms this morning with my third (and, mercifully, last) microbiology and pharmacology exam (which actually wasn't too bad though I'll reserve final judgment until after I receive my scores) and am now looking forward to spending a few days on taking care of random errands I've been putting off for far too long now (yes, my life is THAT much fun).

I can also finally start investing more time and resources in pursuing some of my actual "interests" (microbio and my other coursework has long outlasted that characterization), such as my daily bloviating, reading and the s0-called "journamalism" that I engage in every now and then.

Well, I'd love to say more but seeing as how I'm currently sitting in on my oral radiology lecture, I should really try to focus more on that (much to my chagrin) though I'm sure that just means I'll fall asleep again. Will it ever end?

I Really Shouldn't Be Doing This...

2007-02-19T09:30:00.000-08:00

... but I can't help myself. So yes, instead of being a good student and fully focusing on the matter at hand (if you must know, a review session for an upcoming microbiology midterm), I'm tapping away on my laptop to provide you with (what is hopefully) a quality posting on my continuing trials as a dental student.

Taking a quick break from my writing, I perk my ears up enough to hear our professor vaguely mention something about vaccines and the rabies virus (very titillating stuff, I must say) and then, just as quickly, dive back into why exactly Britney Spears decided to shave her head (don't ask). While this probably won't sound surprising to those of you who've been in school for as long as I have (too long IMO), my attention has started seriously waning as of late and I've had increasingly more trouble paying attention to what's been going in class and studying my lectures.

Instead, I've been spending most of my "study" time reading various articles, sending e-mails to people I haven't talked to in what seems like months (probably because it has been that long) and generally just vegetating. Though I'll save you the trouble of having to listen to me vent, let's just say that I've found my experience overall tedious so far and am hoping I enjoy next quarter more.

Happy (Belated) Year of the Pig!

2007-02-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

So as I'm sure you must all be aware (this being SF, home to a very large contingent of Asians), this past weekend witnessed city-wide Chinese New Year's festivities that culminated in the ushering of the Year of the Pig. Now, since the Chinese New Year system is based on the zodiac signs, a pig year wouldn't be that uncommon in of itself (happens every few years ). However, this year is different from past pig years in one important respect: it's the Year of the GOLDEN Pig!

While to you and I, laymen, this might not seem like that big of a deal, it appeals tremendously to the superstitious nature of some Chinese families that believe (rightly or wrongly) that giving birth to a child this year will ensure them prosperity and future success. Apparently the golden pig year only comes around every 60 or 600 years (depending on whose mythology you consult) so being able to have a child during such a year brings serious bragging rights.

Which brings me to a related side story. I have an aunt who lives in Fremont (former UCSF pharm student actually) who is pregnant and planning on having her first child (yay!) sometime in early June. Since she has never been the superstitious type, she was as surprised as I was to learn of the implications of birthing her child in the Year of the Golden Pig. After attending a baby shower and having all of her friends enviously compliment her on having her child this year (assuring her she now had all the signs of greatness), she turned to my uncle (a deliciously cynical and sarcastic man, though very kind and giving) to tell him the good news.

He, even more than most of us, has always been suspicious of religion and superstition and has always made it a point to eloquently and convincingly present his views. Him being an economic history professor at Berkeley, I knew his argument would adopt some sort of economic/free market bent. Indeed, his point was that their daughter would actually be born at a bad time because she would end up facing more competition in the job market and when applying to college because so many women were planning on having their babies this year.

All right, so that had nothing to do with dentistry and probably sounded very janked to your ears. Well, no matter, because I found it absolutely priceless.

And Then There Were Three

2007-02-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

I've always had a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of time while in school. It seems as though every time I stop and look around, another week or two has zoomed by and, inevitably, once I start getting the hang of things, it's already finals week.

This quarter, even more so than the first one, has practically run right past me as I already find myself at the end of seventh week with only three more to go and still no idea what exactly has happened. Though I now consider this sense of perpetual confusion a fact of life for me, it still scares me sometimes to realize just how lost I feel at different times. Obviously it's never to the point where I have an incidence of amnesia or a feeling of complete and utter loss, but it does get to me.

Oh well, as my classmates will tell me, all that really matters at this point is that I know the dates of my upcoming midterms and test cases which, unfortunately, I am always too aware of. I guess I know where my priorities lie.

Will this Week Ever End?

2007-02-08T23:44:00.000-08:00

Wow, it really seems as though I come on to blog every time I want to bitch and moan about something test-related. I swear I'm not always pessimistic (honest!), but frustration/anger over exams, test cases, yadda yadda just seem to fire me up and get me in that "rapid-fire blogging" (patent that expression) state of mind.

Well, since I don't want to come off as a total downer, I do have some good news to report: tomorrow's Friday (I know, I'm sure I've taken you all aback by surprise)! That means a few more hours of sleep every night (something I could REALLY use at this point) and a (little) bit more time to relax and just enjoy reading my usual mix of The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and whatever non-fiction book I happen to be reading at the time (currently Hunter S. Thompson's classic Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail). Also, one of my good friends from UCLA (my undergrad alma mater) is visiting this weekend so I'll have an excuse to go out a bit and take him to some of my favorite restaurants in the area (pretty much any Indian restaurant that's within 5 miles of UCSF).

And, yes, I'll also do my best to start ramping up my posting production as I feel as though I've left my blog to gather dust one too many times over the past few weeks.

Ha, who am I kidding? We'll see how long THAT resolution lasts...

Super Bowl Sunday Is Here!

2007-02-01T22:46:00.000-08:00

Well, it's finally arrived and although I haven't been able to closely follow the NFL as much as I would've liked (I wonder why...), I'm looking forward to watching the action (and the undoubtedly whimsical/bizarre ads) this Sunday. While I don't hold a particular preference for either team (I was rooting for the San Diego Chargers), I will most likely be supporting the Bears since they are considered the underdogs and because I'm a fan of their, let's face it, inconsistent quarterback, Rex Grossman.

On the other hand, I do hope that Peyton Manning has a good game and wouldn't be too saddened by a Colt victory since I believe that Manning is one of the best quarterbacks in recent time (second only to Tom Brady), and I would hate to see him become another one of those "great quarterbacks who never won a Super Bowl".

As things stand, the Colts undoubtedly have an edge, and if the Bears aren't capable of mustering their best defense to contain Manning's offensive prowess, it could ugly pretty quickly for "Da Bears". If the Bears do play their best, and if Grossman manages to play a solid game (a big "if" I know), it could become a game for the ages...

Et Tu, Drill?

2007-01-27T13:14:00.000-08:00

It is really quite ironic that the instrument meant to help me achieve success in completing my various dental procedures, my high-speed drill, has so often done the exact opposite, abetting numerous failures over the past few weeks. I can't tell you how many times I've been close to finishing an assignment just to have my drill slightly slip or move sideways and, thus, in the span of less than a second, ruin my efforts.

Remember that we're talking in terms of millimeters for these assignments and that even a slight shift accounting for less than half of one millimeter can prove the difference between getting checked off and being asked to start from the beginning again. Experiencing this on a daily basis makes me realize again and again how precise an art dentistry really is (much to my chagrin), and that it is a profession that requires MUCH patience and dexterity (both of which I unfortunately lack).

On a happier note, I was able to complete an assignment that had been tormenting me for the better part of the past week or so, so it was certainly rewarding to have one of my faculty deem it worthy of a good mark. Too bad that this only happens about once for every ten tries...

And Life Goes On...

2007-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Well, another midterm has come and gone and (fortunately enough) I'm still in one piece. You might be wondering if the lovely picture above (a superb specimen of Staphylococcus aureus if I do say so myself!) could have some relation to said midterm? Well, you'd be right to think so (I know, I know, I'm so predictable).

Indeed, as I mentioned in a previous blog posting, I just experienced my first microbiology and immunology midterm which wasn't nearly as difficult as I had originally anticipated (thank God). And, yes, as much as I enjoyed memorizing every minutiae of a series of bacteria (again, note the heavy sarcasm here) as well as the fine details of the proper uses of sterilization and disinfection, I'm, shall we say, quite "content" to be done with it.

Now you know what that means, don't you? More fun times in lab practicing my "drilling" (I put that in quotations since I still consider my drilling to be pretty sub-par)!

Must Be Exam Season

2007-01-20T22:40:00.000-08:00

Ah yes, if my posts are getting shorter and (much) less frequent it must mean that exam season is rapidly approaching (estimated start date: Monday, Jan. 22). What better way to kick off the festivities than with a microbiology and immunology midterm?

Follow that up with a few lab test cases (oh joy!) and a few random midterms thrown in here and there (oral radiology, PRDS, etc) and you've got yourself a scrumptious test schedule! Oh, and another sign that exam season is slowly setting in? Sarcasm. And LOTS of it...

Home Sweet Home

2007-01-13T20:03:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats the warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you're at home in your old stomping grounds. Though it may not have been the best time to head back home (and only for two days, mind you) due to the already dizzying amount of work I have waiting for me back in SF, I can't help but breathe a sigh of relief at being able to distance myself from all of that hoopla and focus on just spending some quality time relaxing (while studiously reviewing my flash cards for my microbiology and immunology midterm next Monday).

Thank Goodness for Long Weekends...

2007-01-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

As may seem implicit in the post's title, though it is a long weekend I won't exactly be having much fine as I'll be spending the majority of it in the lab practicing procedures like:

Ah yes, the dreaded amalgam preparations... where precise motions and a skilled application of the high speed drill (both of which I unfortunately lack) can be the difference between sweet, sweet success and horribly agonizing failure. Add to this a few more procedures, including slot preparations, waxing and acrylic temporaries, and you've got a full weekend's worth of fun, fun and MORE fun (note the sarcasm here)!

Oh well, I guess it's not all bad: I get to head home tomorrow in the early evening to take care of some INS-related business (let's just say that if I don't go I can kiss my U.S. citizenship application goodbye) and to see my parents before my life becomes fully engulfed with dental school. I can't believe it's only the end of the second week, and I really feel way in over my head.

I don't know who told me that winter quarter would be easier than fall quarter but, whoever it was, must've obviously been operating on a different plane of existence than me... that or must've been much more capable (a distinct possibility).

The More, the Merrier

2007-01-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

In an effort to make your UCSF blog reading experience a more balanced and wholesome experience, I've taken the liberty of adding the links to the blogs of some of my esteemed UCSF colleagues who represent the different health disciplines of the school. Though I tend not to pick favorites (OK, a total lie), I highly recommend you visit the first blog I link to, "UCSF Synapse Med1", which offers a very entertaining and titillating recounting of a first-year medical student's experience (if you didn't already gather that from the name of the blog).

I've also added the link to the UCSF Synapse website, the website for the school's student-run newsweekly that I proudly consider myself a part of. Besides for reading fascinating articles about everything under the sun, including restaurant reviews, music/movie reviews and news about the school, you can also "enjoy" some of my latest pieces, mostly op-eds but also news stories and a few random reviews for good measure.

On a different note, I've updated my "bookshelf", having recently started reading Daniel Gilbert's excellent and thought-provoking book, Stumbling on Happiness, which will radically alter your perception of, no surprises here, happiness.

Good News Everyone!

2007-01-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

Relatively speaking, of course: I have, in the last few days, started to receive a trickle of grades from the past quarter which, fortunately enough for me, all began with that magical letter "P" ("Pass" for those of you not in the know) though I'm still waiting for the biggest fry, my grade for BMS 116, aka the trifecta of terror made up of anatomy, histology and pathology (source of countless nightmare for me).

Another positive development has been the fact that I've (wait for it) actually been enjoying my didactic courses so far. I'm not sure if it's because of the topics addressed (microbiology, immunology, oral histology, etc), the caliber of the professors presenting the lectures or the organization of the material, but I can honestly say that my experience so far has been much more pleasant the past quarter's (though that's admittedly not saying much).

Now if only I could start enjoying preclinical lab... Curse those slot preparations!

Yes, I'm Still Here!

2007-01-04T23:01:00.000-08:00

Though, unfortunately, from the look of things in preclinical laboratory this quarter, not for long. As you may have surmised from some of my past postings, I am no big fan of preclinical work (waxing almost proved to be my undoing in the fall) so you can imagine my (intense) displeasure upon learning that the number of exams (or, as they're known in dental lingo, "test cases") that we would be taking had tripled. Yup, that's right: instead of 2 we're now talking about a mind-boggling (well, for me at least) 6 exams!

Now some may say that this is perfectly reasonable: with more experience in preclinical lab comes more responsibilities and examinations, to which I would kindly reply, "Have YOU ever worked in the preclinical lab before?" It's not really the amount of work I mind (OK, maybe I do mind it just a little) so much as the sheer pain and stress it engenders, much more so compared to the didactic exams we have and will continue taking. And did I mention that we actually have HOMEWORK this quarter as well?

Good grief...

Guess Who's Back?

2007-01-02T21:40:00.000-08:00

After an enjoyable (yet all too short) break, I've just started the winter quarter of my first year which should prove much more doable than the fall quarter (don't ask) if my sources are correct. Today was actually not too bad: three lectures covering oral histology, microbiology and immunology (though the former was really more of an introduction than an actual "lecture" per se).

My only complaint so far? The woeful disorganization inherent in the way lectures are scheduled/organized. Besides the fact that we had to wake up at the crack of dawn (OK, i'm exaggerating a little here) to attend our first class at 8, we then had to wait until 10 for the second class, which didn't actually take place because the professor apparently was out of town, something which wasn't communicated to us until one of my classmates called said professor's voice mail and learned it firsthand. That and the fact that we STILL haven't received all of our grades from the first quarter (a simple "P" or "NP" would suffice) is quite annoying and a matter that I'm better off not elaborating on since I feel quite strongly about it (I'm guessing you know how I feel about it based on my short diatribe).

Ugh. Well, here's hoping the rest of the week goes off without a hitch... fat chance, I know.

Booking it for the Holidays

2006-12-15T23:01:00.000-08:00

So I just discovered this new "widget" (I'd describe the term but I wouldn't really be able to do justice to it, suffice it to say it's a little fun icon/picture you can interact with) that allows you to list the books you're currently reading. As an avid reader (I have about 15 or so books gathering dust on my shelf), it's been really hard for me to be cut off for the last ten weeks, having to satiate my literary hunger by reading the occasional The New Yorker and The Economist, I'm excited that I'll finally have some free time now to get some quality time with a few of the books I've been wanting to read.

The first three I'll be going through are listed on the lower right side-bar, and I'll be updating it every now and then with new selections.

I realize you may not care about what I read since this blog is mainly about my life as a DENTAL student, but I felt it would add a little bit more of a personal touch to it and give you another window into my mind. That, and if you have any recommendations for me (or want some feedback on the books), please feel free to chime in.

It's... Finally... OVER!

2006-12-15T22:53:00.000-08:00

Whew, so my first quarter of finals is now over, and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to a few weeks of nothingness back home starting on Sunday. So yeah, I wasn't exactly diligent in reporting on my finals as I had initially promised, but the extensive amount of studying I had to do and the (little) sleep I got soaked up the brunt of my "free" time.

Needless to say, the finals were brutal. Though it was a close match, I'd have to give the edge to PRDS over anatomy since you have both didactic material and lab work to prepare for (though anatomy lab kicked my ass all over the place too). The other finals weren't as hard but were by no means easy.

Here's hoping the fall quarter of first year is really the hardest one...

The Final Countdown...

2006-12-10T13:08:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe that exactly a week from now I'll be flying out from Oakland to head home to sunny Southern California for my first D-school winter break, having (hopefully) survived what promises to be an arduous finals week. So here's what the schedule looks like:

Monday - Oral Radiology and Patient Centered Care (i.e. PCC) Final
Tuesday - Anatomy Practical and Anatomy Written Final
Wednesday - Histology Final
Thursday - Preventative and Restorative Dental Sciences (i.e. PRDS) Final and Scientific Methods Final
Friday - Tooth ID Final

Tuesday and Wednesday will definitely be the hardest days though I expect Thursday's final will give me quite a bit of trouble as well... Let's just say that I'll be home-free Friday at 9:40 AM once I finish the tooth ID final, after which I can *finally* kick back, breathe deeply and enjoy a few weeks of NO studying.

Stay tuned to see how I navigate through these first few exams... if you dare.

A (Early) Christmas Miracle

2006-12-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

Wow. Color me surprised (and I do mean REALLY surprised), but I never would've expected to see my old alma mater, UCLA (proud 2005 Bruin graduate), beat its long-time nemesis (and football powerhouse) USC this Saturday.

Considering how poorly UCLA football had done in the past few weeks (a sad reality that had only worsened after the team lost its starting quarterback, Drew Olson), I had already written the game off and would've been perfectly satisfied had the Bruins not been too thoroughly decimated by the Trojans. I find it especially hard to believe that the Trojans, who needed to win in order to seal a spot in the BCS Championship game to face off against the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes, blew this game so badly after delivering another solid season under the tenure of Pete Carroll.

Fortunately, we only have one USC alumnus (a very proud one at that) in our class so I can't say that I'll be seeing too many dejected faces come Monday morning (quite the contrary, actually, since we have about 9 UCLA alumni including yours truly). Though I was never able to relish the sweet, sweet taste of victory of UCLA football over USC football during my undergraduate years, it's nice to see the tide finally turn after a painful 7 year drought.

Looks like Santa came early this year.

Going Missing

2006-11-26T22:27:00.000-08:00

Well, as some of you may or may not know, things are slowly but surely grinding to a stop as we head into that week of nonstop stress and studying simply known as "finals week" (way too euphemistic a term if you ask me). As such, my posts will be few and far between (well, more so than usually), but I will do my best to update as often as time allows (and as long as my sanity holds out) and let you know how I'm faring (don't expect too many positive posts in that regard).

Into the breach!

Dental Students in All Their Glory!

2006-11-26T19:36:00.000-08:00

Seeing as how I haven't yet posted any (incriminating) pictures of myself or of my fellow classmates, I thought it'd be fun to dredge through our Facebook group photo album and come up with some particularly tasty action shots. Here are but two which I now provide for your enjoyment (or lack thereof):

More to come very soon...

Post-Thanksgiving Doldrums

2006-11-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

Ah, is there any better way to relax following an eventful (and plentiful) Thanksgiving break than by getting a head start on studying dermopathology, i.e. the diseases of the skin (note the heavy sarcasm here)?

Yes, sadly enough, I've already been forced to plunge back in to my studies (albeit very unwillingly) as finals are slowly, yet surely creeping up. I'm hoping to spend the better part of tomorrow just kicking back, but something tells me I might have to begin studying my tooth morphology and oral radiology instead...

It's OVER... For Now

2006-11-21T07:45:00.000-08:00

Whew... I honestly thought this day would never come. After enduring week after week of what now seems like an endless stream of midterms, I'm glad to say that I can finally rest easy (that is until I get my next exam results) and get a good night's sleep. And, after sitting through half a day of lecture in the preclinical lab (where I'm hoping we'll finally get our loupes), I'll be free to enjoy the Thanksgiving break and indulge in some good food and family time.

Even as I'm saying that, however, I'm thinking ahead a few weeks, specifically to the first and second weeks of December, when my classmates and I will be knee-deep in finals and no doubt worn out and dazed by the time Friday, December 15 rolls around, marking the conclusion of our first quarter as dental students.

Good times...

Seven Down, One More to Go...

2006-11-20T22:42:00.000-08:00

Well after several long weeks of back-breaking studying, the end is finally approaching... for midterms, that is (finals are still far away at this point though I really can't afford to put them off for too long). I'll be a free man after 5 PM today, after which I plan on relaxing a good bit and hopefully catching dinner with some of my classmates.

It's been a grueling quarter so far and let's say I'm quite happy that Thanksgiving break is almost upon us. Nothing like roasted turkey and pumpkin pie to soothe the mind and body...

How Not to Be a Dentist

2006-11-18T23:35:00.000-08:00

I have a confession to make. In a previous life, I used to be one of those hardcore (I think the P.C. term is "avid") gamers who spent WAY too many hours exploring every nook and cranny of these digital playgrounds instead of devoting my time to more worthwhile causes. Nowadays, I spent maybe one hour every WEEK playing one game or another but am usually way too busy either studying, reading or, if I have any free time, hanging out with my dental school classmates.

However, I do still enjoy reading about the world of videogames, particularly right now with the recent release of the Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii, and am avid follower of several webcomics that chronicle the lives of dedicated gamers. One of my favorites in this category has got to be Penny Arcade, which posted this doozy of a strip a few weeks ago on why NOT to be a dentist (at least in my mind):

Let me just say that if you're considering becoming a dentist for this or a similar reason, you should really consider a different career... that or just make sure you use the "proper" instruments.

We Have Lift-Off!

2006-11-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this little experiment in blogging that I like to call my "life". Yes, while I've already spent a considerable amount of time in a previous life writing a blog dealing with politics and music, two things I hold dear to my heart, I've never dedicated one wholly to my daily existence, let alone my life as a student.

Yet here I am now writing my first post (in what I hope will be one of many) about my life as a dental student at UCSF, that little known university located in beautiful San Francisco that you may or may not have heard about. And, being a first-year dental student in my first quarter, I really haven't had much semblance of a "real" life outside of class, to my great chagrin.

Don't get me wrong: while I've spent WAY too much time studying slides and pictures for histology, learning about the intricacies of the human body for anatomy (who knew I could possibly memorize the names of so many nerves, veins and arteries?) and struggling with my tooth waxing, I've definitely had the time to enjoy myself and take advantage of the rich opportunities San Francisco has to offer.

Let's just say that if you intend on continuing to read this blog on a regular basis (a big "if" I know), you'll have to deal with my periodic whining about the different facets of my dental education (most likely the insane amount of coursework I have every week). But don't worry: I'll also be sure to bring up all the positive aspects (there are some, I swear!) and provide some background on what the life of a dental student is like outside of class.

Whew, well I think that's good enough for the first post. Now, if you don't mind, I'm off to do a little studying for the last of my many midterms I'll be taking next week.