Monday, August 22, 2011

Have you heard?

The tin grin is in...

It was a pretty painless appt. It took about 45 min. The most painful part was sitting in the waiting room with all the kids before they called me in. I know I'll get over it bc my favorite part was when I asked the 12 year old in the chair next to me if he thought baby blue (ligatures) was a good color. He did.

I have to admit, it was a little shocking looking into the mirror for the first time. I feel like I'm 14! As soon as I got over the initial horror (took about 5 minutes) I was able to let my excitement take over. I can't believe I am ACTUALLY starting this journey!!! I was thrilled when Dr. Hang finished our appointment with "let's get you to surgery as soon as we can."

I do have to go back to him in two weeks for more separators. My right side is very stubborn, he was only able to put one band on each the lower and upper right, bc everything was still so tight.



can't wait till #8&9 move down. 


Friday, August 19, 2011

And the award for most pre-braces posts goes to...

Ok, I know I probably most definitely hold some sort of record for most posts before actual treatment, but I really wanted to do a pre-braces video! It will be exciting to see how my speech and articulation will improve with a closed bite. Have a great weekend! xo Amanda

video 1: pre-braces from amanda k on Vimeo.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Nerd Alert

Howdy everyone. In preparation of Braceface: The Sequel next week, I've been easing into contact lenses. We'll see how this works... I haven't worn them (except for a handful of weddings, etc) for quite a few years and I figured braces were going to be too much bling to also sport my frames. And even though I'm a big nerd in real life, I don't necessarily have to advertise it. Well, except for on this blog... So, in evidence of my nerd-dome, here goes: I'm VERY excited about the return of Dr. Who next weekend, am very disappointed in Torchwood this season, and this is the only picture I've ever taken with an actor(s)... 

You are all probably too young and/or normal to know these men are from
Star Trek: Voyager, my absolute favorite series of the whole Star Trek franchise. 
Tuvok was on set too, but wasn't around for the pic. 
 


xo. Amanda

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Separators

I'm so excited that I had a real appointment at my ortho's yesterday. Had my separators put in. They told me I would be in a lot of pain for the next few days. Not much so far, which makes me worry that my teeth are slow movers. More to be revealed. Braces in two weeks!!


I feel a bit like I'm in a remedial class getting excited about separators when most of you lovelies are either post-surgery, in surgery or very close.

Brent and Catherine hope you are both recovering well now!!! Good vibes going your way.

Friday, August 5, 2011

A Reason to Celebrate

A little off topic...
6 months ago I was finishing off a block of cheddar cheese I had picked up only a week before at the grocery store. There was something about devouring that cheese so quickly that really grossed me out. I realized I had a problem, I was a cheesaholic. No joke! So, I quit... it ALL. I am proud to say that I am celebrating 6 months as a vegan!!! I never thought I could do it until that moment, but I'm in this for life.

The cheese wasn't the only thing leading up to the decision. I had been contemplating my eating choices following the death of my uncle Wayne at the beginning of the year. He had been diagnosed w/prostate cancer about 6 years ago. After that diagnosis, he immediately flew, with my aunt to Hawaii (where he is from) and sought the guidance of a friend who specialized in natural healing. In addition to island herbs and supplements, his program consisted of cutting out all animal products of his diet (being Hawaiian/Filipino his diet consisted largely of pork and white rice). When he came back from Hawaii and went to the doctor a few months later, his cancer numbers had dropped significantly and continued to drop. He lived on that whole foods/no animal product diet for years. Then slowly, in recent years, his discipline diminished and he was back to eating his much loved pork and white rice. Sadly, when he realized the cancer came back, it was too late.

Visiting my uncle Wayne and cousin Mica in Hawaii ('82)


Sorry to be depressing, but wanted to share why and how this cheese burger loving girl went vegan one day. It's actually been the easiest thing I've ever done! My decision to go vegan is just one of many things that are changing right now for me. I am also going through a split from my boyfriend. We've been together for almost 12 years. We dated then lived together for 6 years in NYC, then moved out here to California for another 6. No drama, it's just run it's course. I can say that I am thrilled to live on my own for the first time ever! (Not thrilled about braces during my first single time in YEARS!)

We are all going through major changes right now. I know some of you are feeling discouraged. I hope you can feel some empowerment over the fact that you decided to make your life better and it WILL BE. Don't lose heart!

Some wise words from the Dalai Lama:

"Never give up. No matter what is going on, never give up. Develop the heart. Too much energy in your country is spent developing the mind instead of the heart. Be compassionate not just to your friends but to everyone. Be compassionate. Work for peace in your heart and in the world. Work for peace and I say again, never give up. No matter what is happening, no matter what is going on around you. Never give up."

“Compassion is most important for happiness. We must treat fellow human beings as equal, that is very important, but also all beings who have capacity for feeling. So the innate desire for happiness that is the basis of human rights extends to all sentient beings, including animals and insects. There are now some individuals and organizations who care about animal rights and are showing concern about the suffering or torture of animals. I have noticed among ordinary people, out of their love and compassion, growing efforts for promotion of vegetarianism. These are the right kinds of expression of compassion, very positive and encouraging signs.”

Some of the things I am grateful for:
p.s. Terra I was inspired by your doggy post, to share mine! I love that you are Vegan too:)

chester
(i got chester from a woman who couldn't care for him and his sister ruby anymore)

ruby
(chester's sister)

pepita
(she's the baby. i got her from our vet's office. someone had dropped her off, not able to handle her. she's got HIGH spirits! part terrior i think.)



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