Who Are You?

One of my favourite Disney classics has always been Alice In Wonderland. This story tells of a girl (Alice) who falls down a rabbit hold and into a world of peculiar creatures and unimaginable events. Alice’s ideas of reality are challenged at the least and she often finds herself in utter confusion. Her perception of this world is faced with adversity as the characters she encounters lead her to believe that down is up and up is down. She finds herself in uncomfortable situations with a bottle labeled “drink me” which causes her to drastically shrink and a cake titled “eat me” which causes her to grow to the size of a giant. 

Countless other adventures find her in the presence of talking flowers, the mad hatter and the Cheshire cat. However the scene that provokes the most thought on my part is when Alice encounters a blue caterpillar sitting on a mushroom, smoking a hookah. He prods her with the question “Whooooo Arrrrreeeeeeee yyoouuuu? Alice admits her identity crisis and is even more troubled after her conversation with this caterpillar.

Thankful For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has always been my absolute favourite holiday. I don’t know if I can describe why but it’s more of a feeling that I get than anything else. It’s a time to reflect on all we have rather than all we lack, there is no focus on what gift to give and what you will receive, it’s a time to see that we are truly blessed in more ways than we may be able to recognize. I love that we have a holiday set aside to spend quality time with the ones we love while we reflect on the countless blessings we enjoy! I have much to be thankful for and I hope you realize that you do to. I sometimes like to make a list of the things I’m grateful for and I’m always surprised when I make it into the hundreds and I haven’t had to think very hard yet. If we are pen to recognizing them the blessings come to mind almost effortlessly. I’d have to say gratitude is one of my favourite characteristics. In the Bible Luke chapter 17 there were ten lepers who desired that Jesus would heal them of their sickness. He granted them their desire but only one of the lepers returned to Jesus and gave him thanks for the miracle that so greatly changed his life. The other nine left to continue their lives as healthy men, forgetting to give thanks for such a wonderful blessing. I never want to be considered ungrateful for the gifts I receive so I try to consciously think of those each day. Here’s my list of 30 things I’m grateful for:

Back In Scrubs

Since returning home from my travels in the beginning of September I have been on a frantic search for a job. I think I’ve checked every possible hiring site in search of suitable employment. I also signed up for emails if any dental assisting positions became available. With each update in my inbox I’d find a renewed sense of opportunity and hope only to (9 times out of 10) have it crushed. I don’t know how these sites work but somehow I got job openings posted in my email for everything but dental assisting! They were always jobs that had the word assistant or assisting in their title but never what I was looking for. I’m happy for all those medical lab assistants, administrative assistants, assistant managers or advertising assistants out there- I know from these emails that there is no shortage of jobs for you! 

Despite this setback I found quite a few possible leads through kijiji, monster, simply hired, place pro, indeed and The Edmonton Journal. I went to countless interviews and even did a few working interviews in an office but nothing felt right. I got offered a part time position in a nice clinic but I was on a search for full time employment. There was a point that I began to feel like this situation was a little hopeless. I kept praying that Heavenly Father would help me find an office that would welcome a new grad, be willing to teach, have the newer technology such as digital x-ray and a paperless charting system and have friendly staff. I know I gave him a long list of hopes for a job but I kept praying, fasting and having faith as best as I could. 

There was one point where I was sure I’d have to settle, I began to feel discouraged and unskilled since I had been out of practice for months now. I did a working interview at one office and I felt useless, slow and out of place. I started to doubt if I’d ever find something. At that time I decided it would be best if I got a blessing. The feelings I felt after that blessing were indescribable! I knew that Heavenly Father had heard my countless petitions and if I were patient enough something would come along that would be all that I wanted. I decided to put my trust in the Lord and continue my search.  A little less than two weeks later I got a call from one of the offices I had applied to, they asked me if I’d be able to come in for an interview. Shortly after my interview they called again asking if I’d like to do a working interview.  I agreed and went on the following Monday and Tuesday. I got the job offer Tuesday night!!! This office is everything and more than I asked for! Full time hours, awesome staff to work with, great training, new technology, better pay than I thought I’d get as a new grad and a wonderful dentist who is so patient and willing to teach. I am soooo thankful for answered prayers. I know He hears our pleas and is very aware of the desires of our heart. Prayers are answered in His own timing and in His own way!

Dental Halloween

At the end of September I had the opportunity to go to the North West Dental Expo. Last year all the NAIT dental assisting girls went to check it out and it quickly became something I’d look forward to attending the next year. There are guest speakers to lecture on currently relevant topics or new technology in the dental world, booths set up displaying products from a specific company and lets not forget all the free products they hand out. A friend of mine described it as a dental Halloween and I couldn’t agree more. I loved going around to all the tables and learning more about the technology or products displayed. They always have a wide variety of products; from laser surgery devices, digital panoramic machines and pink nitrile gloves to xylitol gum, ergonomic instruments and the latest toothpaste. I feel lucky to have such a passion for the dental industry. One of my favourite aspects of this field is that there is always new technology and products coming out. This career will never stay stagnant but instead keeps progressing on with new innovations. I love that my career allows me to help others gain knowledge and awareness about their health and well-being. I always feel so blessed to understand the importance of oral health when many others are not aware of its impact on overall health. Did you know that a persons oral health is directly related to the health of their heart?! Flossing and brushing makes all the difference! 

Answering a patients question always leaves me feeling so gratified! The expo ended up paying for itself with all the dental swag I received. I think I left with six different toothbrushes, seven forms of toothpaste, three packets of floss, a pack of pink x-small nitrile gloves and a couple sample bottles of mouthwash. I can easily say I’m fully stocked up for the next year or so. What really impressed me was how many suppliers are connecting their products to breast cancer research. I was happy to learn that many distributers were offering a portion of their proceeds to a worthy cause.

 Overall that day was a great experience and I even ran into a few friends from school and my practicum office! 

These are some bitewing x-rays I found on the internet and I thought they were pretty neat so I added them in!

Generations

First of all I have to say that General Conference was wonderful today! It seemed that the two-hour sessions just flew by. I can remember watching it even just a few years ago and each session felt like it was an eternity!!! I’ve come to love the messages the prophet and apostles share and no longer look at my watch continually. After the second session today, Generations bookstore had a “Women’s night out” where all the ladies go to the bookstore while the men are at the priesthood session. Apparently they do this every year but this was the first I’d heard of it. They have sales, book signings and refreshments along with many other fun things. I just ADORE Generations! It feels like every time I go shopping there I leave with a huge bill, lots of reading material and the desire to become better. Tonight was no different and I found some great deals. I ended up getting a few cookbooks and a book that tells how the scriptures can conquer many problems we face in life. I could use a few lessons in the kitchen and these cookbooks seem like a good ease into the complex world of culinary art. Anyways I just LOVE Generations and each time I walk inside I want to buy the whole place. My bookshelf has become overloaded but I just can’t help myself!