new chapters.

Welcome back! It's been a little less than a year since my last post. So sorry to disappoint. Writing has fallen to the bottom of my priority list this last year.

What has inspired its return, you may ask? Yep, that's right, school started. and when school starts, you find anything and everything to do except homework.

Things have changed a little bit since we last talked. In the last week, I have (1) moved out of the house I've lived in my whole life, (2) started my first year as a full-time student, (3) began my career as a dental hygiene student, and (4) started at the prestigious University of Michigan, which just so happens to be the top dental school in the nation right now.

Ah, yes. All those fancy words really mean "extra homework" and "stricter rules" and "more work requirements than other schools" etc. etc. etc. All in all, it means that I don't have a social life anymore, and I pretty much spend all day in class. woohoo.

Highlights of my first week here, at the University of Michigan:

1. Spent 7 hours (one day) in a basement classroom with no windows.
2. Successfully made my own spaghetti for one.
3. Sprinted to the bus stop twice.
4. Did NOT get lost, hooray!
5. Found a great smoothie/ice cream joint nearby the dental school.
6. Contemplated my new sedentary lifestyle and seriously considered trying to do all my homework standing up for the purpose of saving my back muscles.
7. Visited with my aunt and uncle and showed them my new home.
8. Ran 4 miles in some dank humidity.
9. Began working clinic hours on "Barbara", my fake tooth simulation.
10. Had my first "I'm so tired that I need to do something other than school for a few hours" breakdown.

It's been a great week. It really has. Tomorrow is the last day of my first week here at dental hygiene school. I'm nervous, excited, happy, worried, and loving every moment of it. It's really a great school, a great program, and an all-around happy time.

I'm learning techniques and instrumentations that I never knew existed!! Who knew that your dental hygienist had to learn so many techniques and terms. This is just the beginning of a long journey. I'm excited. Stay tuned! :)