had such a diverse day today!

dentures, root canal, extractions, fillings, exams, some complicated people, some fun kids, a muslim woman wearing the full burka (she removed the cloth covering the bottom of her face so that i could check her poorly managed teeth and gums), drug rehab center dude, australian man doing ministry in philly, aspiring fashion designer/lady gaga super fan...

and it was pretty enjoyable even though all of us were a little snippy with one another. hehe.

i'm getting used to the latin sass!

the hardest is at the end of the day when it is time to go home and then someone comes and it's a stretch to stay late, but then she bursts into tears and asks if i can pleaaaase help her.

all these things (cumulatively) kinda take a physical toll. but as a professional, i'm probably not 'allowed' to 'lose it' or 'break down', at least not in front of a patient, even though there is a part of me that kind of wants to, or at least scream. maybe i should take up some hobbies like going to a batting cage, or the driving range, or chopping wood. i dunno. anyway, there's that heat of the moment. and then. when i zoom out. things really aren't that bad. and not really worth freaking out.

everyone talks about BALANCE. i've been choosing not to be one of those health professionals that "forgot" to eat lunch/go to the bathroom. it's kinda hard. but at the same time, i didn't come here to take it easy.