Goodbye Teeth
As I sat in the fluorescent light of the waiting room last Friday, I thought about how I was going to miss my teeth. It wasn’t that I was facing a lifetime of difficulty chewing. Wisdom teeth don’t offer much help in that department. But I’m a hoarder of artifacts of personal significance. I have quarter century-old t-shirts I can’t throw away because I wore them on momentous days. A sudden, violent and permanent separation from two teeth that had been with me through decades of meals and conversations seemed sort of tragic.
These were sober, sentimental thoughts. I tried to hold onto them as useful diversions from my approximately 29 intense fears. Fear #4, that I would have an allergic reaction to the general anesthetic and perish during the extraction, was easy enough to suppress because it was so unlikely to happen. But Fear #12, that I would have skull-splitting headaches for days afterward, seemed all too rational. And as for Fear #18—that on the drive home Sharon would be distracted by concern for me and crash the car—well, it almost would have been disloyal to her not to be afraid.
Along with my diversions, I was equipped with sage advice from my predecessors in wisdom tooth extraction. As it turns out, lots of people at UMBC have had their wisdom teeth removed. I just waited longer than most to have it done. In the days leading up to my appointment, I learned about pain medications, soft foods and the curious effects of anesthesia from many kind and sympathetic members of our community. Generally these tidbits raised rather than lowered my blood pressure, but I appreciated everyone’s concern.
My name was called: “David.” It seemed kind of informal, coming from a stranger who would soon help wrench away pieces of my head. I was led to a small, white room, and instructed to take my place on a chair that seemed to be sprouting equipment. The oral surgeon and two attendants got busy searching for veins and laying out instruments of torture. And then ...
Sharon says the whole thing took 17 minutes from the word “David,” followed by 40 minutes of delirious waiting while she paid and received instructions for my care. Allegedly, during those 40 minutes, I repeated the phrase “I’m really glad I got the general anesthetic” about 7 times, plus 5 more later in the car. I remember only sipping at a cup of lukewarm Diet Coke, and then the long ride home. I felt no pain. Later that night I got a mild headache, but on the whole the experience has been far, far easier than even the best-case scenario I had envisioned during the weeks of anticipation.
While I will never see those two teeth again, I do have some new artifacts for my collection: emails and Facebook posts from thoughtful friends. And though it’s not something I can stash in a drawer, I also get to keep a story that may ease the fears of the next of us in line for a tooth extraction.
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As I sat in the fluorescent light of the waiting room last Friday, I thought about how I was going to miss my teeth. It wasn’t that I was facing a lifetime of difficulty chewing. Wisdom teeth...
http://cocreateumbc.blogspot.com/2011/02/goodbye-teeth.html
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personal-stories
Co-Create UMBC
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Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:14:00 -0500
This Week's Events: 2/4-2/20
Monday, February 14th:
Happy Valentines day!
Tuesday, February 15th:Apples to Apples Tournament
//When: 7pm
//Where: Gameroom
Come over to the Gameroom and show off your Apples to Apples skills! Food and prizes will be available.
Thursday, February 17th:
Open Mic Night: Hip Hop Battle
//When: 8pm
//Where: Sportz Zone
Allowable Acts:
- Acts must be at least partly founded in the Hip Hop genre to be considered for the competition. No country songs.
- Acts may be covers or originals. Originals get bonus points, though.
- Groups may be at max 3 people.
-Backing tracks are allowed, please have them on an iPod or similar device.
(FYI: This is not a rap battle - it is a competition that will be decided at the end of the night by a panel of previously appointed judges. )
And the prize? Meeting Snoop Dog, of course!
Weekly Movie: Burlesque
//When: 10pm
//Where: Lh1
Popcorn included. Please buy your tix before at the Commons Info Desk.
Friday, February 18th:
Mario Kart Tournament
//When: 7pm
//Where: Gameroom
Name says it all! Food and prizes will be available!
Weekly Movie: Burlesque
//When: 8pm
//Where: Lh1
Popcorn included. Please buy your tix before at the Commons Info Desk.
Saturday, February 19th:
Biweekly Breakfast and Bingo
//When: 8pm
//Where: Sportz Zone
Come and join us for some rounds of bingo complete with a complimentary breakfast!
Weekly Movie: Burlesque
//When: 8pm
//Where: Sportz Zone
Popcorn included.
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Monday, February 14th: Happy Valentines day! Tuesday, February 15th: Apples to Apples Tournament //When: 7pm //Where: Gameroom Come over to the Gameroom and show off your Apples to...
http://umbcstudentevents.blogspot.com/2011/02/this-weeks-events-24-220.html
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(seb) Student Events Board
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Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:22:00 -0500
Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:22:00 -0500
UMBC Bookstore Poetry Contest
Win a copy of Dr. Deluty's new book, a $30 gift card & more.
Help us celebrate the release of UMBC Professor, Associate Dean, and Poet Dr. Robert H. Deluty's latest book of poetry When Silence is Not an Option.
Now it's your turn to be the poet. Post a 3-10 line poem about your UMBC experience on the UMBC Bookstore Facebook wall. Dr. Deluty will select a winner to receive a copy of his latest book and a $30 UMBC Bookstore gift card. 5 first prize winners will receive i-Ecko earbuds.
Poems may be in any form or style. Judging will be based on creativity and the integration of your UMBC experience.
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Help us celebrate the release of UMBC Professor, Associate Dean, and Poet Dr. Robert H. Deluty's latest book of poetry When Silence is Not an Option. Now it's your turn to be the poet. Post a...
http://www.facebook.com/umbcbookstore
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Bookstore
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Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:58:16 -0500
Super Human Moments: Scary Decisions
Everyone has had them: moments when things have gone wrong partly because of our own lack of experience or perspective. In this new series of posts, I'm asking members of the UMBC community to reflect on their own 'super human' moments.
Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?
A: I am a designer at Commonvision, Leadership Consultant, Secretary of the Commuter Student Association and an SGA Sustainability Intern. I am also on the Art Staff of Bartleby and do some design work for different student organizations. I enjoy all these so very much.
Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?
A: Encourage student leadership and school spirit through creative design work.
Q: What title would you give your Super Human Moment?
A: Big, Scary Decisions and Life-altering Paths
A: I entered UMBC as a chemical engineering major, only because my family has a background in science. I had no real interest in the content and no passion for the field. I was doing it because that is the only thing i knew about and its comfortable to stay with what you know. But, how long can you force yourself to study something that you have no interest in whatsoever. I found out, the answer the hard way- not for a very long time.
My sophomore year (first semester), I was a very unhappy person. I left my job, all my extra curricular activities and stopped paying attention to my schoolwork. It was not because I didn't care about my education and didn't want to do things, but because I had no motivation to go sit through another class of material I didn't really care about. My grades started dropping and I kept falling down this deep tunnel of disappointment. I realized before long that something had to be done. I couldn't let things go on like that. So I talked to a couple people. I got various forms of advice but there were two things that stuck with me:
"This is the time to be brave because you don't want to spend the rest of your life saying "I wish"..."
If you can't do this for 4 years, how are you going to be able to do it for the next 40 years.
I realized I had to explore different areas to see what was the best fit for me. I had to write my own story and I had to find out who I was first. I took a whole bunch of classes and realized that I wanted to study graphic design.
The next big step was telling my parents about this switch and I was very scared about how they might feel. I told them and was ready for a blast of questions, but my parents just smiled at me and told me I should do what makes me happy. The following week I met with an advisor, turned in my portfolio for review and got accepted to the Visual Arts program. I have to say I have never been happier. I can be stuck in a studio for hours working and I still enjoy every bit of it. A lot of people might not understand why it was such a big deal, but for me it was an inner battle that I had to wage. My grades are good once again; I am very involved in campus life and I lead a productive life. This experience taught me how to overcome my internal barriers and how to make some very important decisions, even when they're difficult ones. It also showed me how important a support system is for a person and how one should never hesitate to reach out to family, teachers and friends for help.
Q: How have you applied what you learned?
A: I try to continually analyze my personal growth and development. I have realized that challenges shouldn't be avoided but welcomed because it is the hardships that really shape a person. Things might not always go as planned but it is important to change plans and be caught up in the direction life is leading you. I have not always been the most extroverted person but I am trying to work on that by being a part of different student organizations, participating in leadership retreats both as a participant and coach. As a designer, I have done numerous internships and I'm trying to get as much experience in the field as I can. I interact with numerous people and do different kinds of things and I'm constantly learning one thing or the other. This helps me grow a little more as an individual everyday.
Q: Do you have any advice you can pass along to others?
A: If you do what you love, you will not have to work for a single day in your life. Open yourself up to different experiences and embrace your individuality because you should be the only one writing your story.
