Corporate Dentist

These are not my teeth.

I went to the dentist today. Groupon.com had a deal a while back that offered an exam, whitening and full set of x-rays for $50, and at that point, I wasn't as strapped for cash as I am now, so I got it. Besides, I haven't been to the dentist in a while, so I really wanted to make sure my teeth were good and healthy.

It was busy when I arrived at 3:58 p.m. (my appointment was scheduled for 4:10 p.m. - so you know what that means? Even though I: left my office later than I planned, stopped at the structural engineer's office AND my apartment; then Garmin told me the wrong direction and I had to make a couple of U-turns to find myself at a dead end and NOT the dentist... after all of that - I was on time, early even. And I already had the new patient paperwork filled out...) and waited until 4:30 p.m. until the... I don't know what her title is, but I will call her the Pusher. She came and walked me around the building, giving me a tour of the place and then turning me over to x-rays.

After full mouth x-rays, density checking and then the exam... I found out that I have, "beautiful, healthy teeth" and two baby cavities. Great.

I paid for the cleaning, which was not included in the groupon, and then was escorted back to the Pusher's office, where we could figure out a way for me to pay to have my cavities filled and to get my whitening trays.

Overall, the office was very friendly, but had a very corporate feel to me. I couldn't get over the fact that I felt like they were trying to take my money. There were SO many people there, it sort of made me anxious. And the fact that the Pusher and several other people were walking around with headsets, made it feel all the more "corporate." On the other hand, my hygienist rushed to make the trays so that I didn't have to come back for them, and could start the regimen early. And they have some of the coolest and latest technology in the dental field. X-rays have gone digital, and I got to look at the x-rays and see what the dentist was examining as he pulled them up on screen and looked at each tooth. The chairs were comfortable.

They set me up with a payment plan so that I could get my cavities filled and pay just a little bit a month with no interest for a year. Just what I need - another monthly payment. And I have a feeling that the Pusher is going to try and get me to put sealants on all of my teeth. Which is all great and well, except I think she said they were $30 a tooth...which I most definitely cannot afford. But, whatever, my teeth are healthy and will soon be cavity free once again.

I haven't had a cavity since I was seven years old (or something like that) and I don't remember what it's like... I hope it isn't too bad. *Shudder*

Oh, and they didn't give me my cookie (which was supposed to be included with the groupon.)

Mondays

I've always thought that it would be fun to be published in Women's World magazine. They pay $25-100 for little short snippets about "funny" things children say, pictures of babies and pets and stuff like that, and I figured I could get paid to write their one-page romance story.

So I've been doing a little research online, and I've learned a few things. Women's World is a hard market to crack into. You get paid $800 per story. The stories have to be modern and under 800 words. I knew it had to be short...but I never realized that under two pages was the requirement! I had a hard enough time writing scholarship essays!

So for practice, I wrote a little something up. It comes in at 797 words. And I don't know... it's probably crap. But if I'm ever going to be published in WW, then I've got to learn how to write crap that doesn't sound half bad - that they would consider publishing. Because honestly, I could really use $800.

Mondays*

****UPDATE****
This story was bought by Woman's World!!!

Oh, so dorky. So cheesy! But... that's what the WW readers want! Right? I don't know. You try to write an uplifting story in under 800 words.

In Ute Country

I had the opportunity to cross enemy lines today and see how things are done in the heathen country up north. The Utes are brutal. It doesn't matter that the BYU vs Utah game isn't until November, the Utes take every chance they get to berate and condemn BYU.

Like harassing the city cops who are directing traffic, simply because they are wearing blue.

Scenes like this were not uncommon. At the tailgate party we attended before the game, I head of a story about a guy bringing a stuffed cougar (toy) and pulling it on a string while the tailgaters spit on it and threw things on it, stomped on it and then, ultimately, it wound up being set on fire.

That's probably not the greatest idea, simply because it was probably a lot of intoxicated over-zealous fans playing with fire. I don't think I've seen so many people drinking in Utah at one time until today. Even I had to join in on the fun! KIDDING. (Gosh, Mom and Dad!) The brats were soaked in beer, though. Anyway...

The point is that the entire stadium was full of people ecstatic every time the announcer game an update on the BYU vs. Airforce game (BYU lost...badly). I'm trying to remember if BYU does that at their games when the Utes are losing. Do the Utes lose? I think they're pretty good...moving on. Also, while walking back to the car, you would hear random outburst of "BYU SUCKS!" and accompanying cheers. It was ridiculous, in a hilarious sort of way.

The game was fun. And hot! We were on the side of the stadium where the sun was hitting us for the entirety of the game. The other side of the stadium, I am pretty sure, were all shivering to death. But whatever... I'm burnt on the half side of my face. And I'm almost positive my eyeballs are sunburned, too.

We did have good seats, though, despite the sun. They were really accessible, and we didn't have a hard time getting out - of course, that may have to do with the fact that half the spectators left before the game was over because Utah was trouncing UNLV... it wasn't much of a game. It would have been worse if U of U had actually played well... Whatever. The score was 38 to 10. As I said, not much of a game.

Now... this gentleman - yes, the one with the cane and KFC beard - was just your stereotypical University of Utah fan. Showering his neighbor (with what I assume is spittle) he would remind the defense to "CREAM THE KICKER!" and encourage the fans to "MURDER THE UMPS!"

Now, I'm all for a good quarterback sack - and we got a few, thanks to Old McDonald, I think - but MURDERING is a little bit out of control at a football game. Or maybe that's just how our brothers from the North roll...

This guy heard that I might be a graduate from BYU, and this is what I got...

A half-bird

Now, I was wearing the typical Red/Black/White combination seen on 99% of the Utah fans. But don't worry... I am not that much of a traitor. I may not have school spirit for BYU, but I do know who the real winners are!

No one seemed to notice that I wasn't wearing Utah attire.

 Go BUCKS!

I had Brad updating me on the game the whole time.

It's OFFICIAL!

You can finish the title of this post with "It's OFFICIAL!..."

• ..."I'm conceited."
• ..."I'm obsessed."
• Or some other alternate that is similarly related.

I've been "celebrating" my graduation since I finished my stats class over a month ago. But I've also been checking Route Y nearly as often as I check my Facebook just to make sure they weren't going to revoke my degree... I don't know, I was really worried that something was going to come up and they were going to tell me that they weren't going to give me my diploma.

I think it is FINALLY safe to say that I'm officially done with school. Or until I decide I need to go back and get my teaching degree... but, I am a college graduate.

I know. You've all offered your congratulations a long time ago, so don't worry about making a big deal about this post. I'm going to have my own private celebration though. I really thought there was going to be a final hoop to jump through in order to make this happen, and I'm excited that that wasn't the case.

I don't think that when I get my diploma in the mail that I'll scan it and post a picture of it on my blog... then again... don't hold me to that...

Also, just for fun, search Google images for BYU Graduation and see how many pictures of graduates there are with 1) significant other or 2) they are pregnant or their significant other is pregnant or 3) a baby is pictured somewhere. There are a lot of graduates with babies.... sick. \

Er. I mean, good for them.

Since I didn't participate in any graduation ceremonies, I forewent getting pictures in a cap and gown anywhere traditional BYU grads get their picture taken. That's OK. I've imagined what I would look like in a cap and gown...and it isn't very flattering.

Still, I wanted to make sure my visual was correct, so I've included a picture of what would have happened had I graduated the traditional way, dressed really cute, had long hair and knew how to get onto the BYU soccer field in order to pose in semi-creative/cute poses. Whatever.

Who actually needs to participate in boring graduation ceremonies, when you have Photoshop on hand!?

Delicious

Thaifoon has long been one of my favorite restaurants in Utah. My first visit was a business dinner when I worked at Novell. I got the Pad Thai, as it is almost always a safe choice, and tried some of the different appetizers and they were all really good. And that's what I have stuck with the few other times I've gone. I really like the atmosphere. It's dark and there is a water wall and cloth napkins... the music left a little something to be desired.

Last night, William and I went up to Thaifoon to celebrate his birthday and I decided to branch out. William ordered the Bankgkok Duck and I had the Mahi Mahi. Our server (who was fantastic) was kind enough to point out that the "crusted" part of the Mahi Mahi meant that it was fried, and I opted out of that. We had edamame for an appetizer.

Best. Dinner. Ever.

Everything was really good, but the Mahi Mahi was particularly delicious. The rice was so good and complimented the fish and I loved the little kick that the citrus-chili sauce had. I think I could eat it everyday.

It was our first experience with duck, which tasted pretty good but was a little too fatty for me. The duck salad was really yummy, though.

Because it was William's birthday, we also got a free dessert, and he chose what I think was probably the best choice on the menu. The Banana Caramel Spring Roll.... it was a perfect blend of flavors and texture. I didn't like the vanilla bean ice cream, but William ate that. And the rest of it was soooooo good. William even ate the mint leaf.

After dinner, I was stuffed. So we walked around Gateway and watched The Switch. I was expecting it to be like Big Daddy - read: funny - but it wasn't at all what I expected. I still haven't decided if I liked it. Though, I can probably say that I won't ever watch it again. The little boy in the movie was super adorable, though.

Overall, a top night. Happy Birthday, William.

Mmmm.... I'm eating the leftover edamame right now, wishing I had saved some Mahi Mahi for today's lunch.