Cap and Gown Day!

Well, it is finally close enough that I am getting pretty excited! I graduate in 2 days! Today we had to go pick up our cap and gown and get photos taken of us in them. We also had to clean out our lockers and our clinic pod of all of our stuff. It was so weird/fun! I can't believe it is finally here! This is a day I have waited for and now that it has arrived I don't know what to do. What will I do when I don't have to go to school everyday! I am still not off the hook once I graduate though, because I still have boards a week later. That really stinks. It is almost like graduation is not that big of a deal because I still have that huge test lurking over my shoulders!

It's Officially Unofficial!

We recently found out that we have to move out of our humble apartment, and we could be residing with the Thacker family as soon as July. So we put a deposit down on a brand new townhome tonight! We are so excited! It will be finished being built in November. We're pretty sure we will get it, but there are a few things that have to work out between now and then. It is super cute, located in West Jordan. It is a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, two-story townhouse with a garage. We fell in love with it the minute we walked in. We shopped around for others, and this one is our favorite by far! We also love that we aren't responsible for yardwork, woohoo no mowing! (Trent said) It is a scary thing to commit to a house and mortgage, but I guess it's time to grow up!

These are a few pictures of the model version that they have on the website!

My LaSt DaY aT wEbEr StAtE cLiNiC!

HoOrAy! I was my very last day ever at the Weber State Hygiene Clinic. No more getting up at 5:45 to drive to Ogden, no more trying to find requirements/patients. I am so excited! It is really weird, liberating, sad, and scary. I cannot believe that I am supposed to be ready to go out into the world and do this stuff for real! I am sad to lose my friends, I have made so many. Hopefully if we all stay hygienists we'll see each other some time. It is a really weird feeling to know that I don't ever have to go back to school again, ever! Wow, now that is great to say! I no longer have to get my teachers to double check everything I do, but I also no longer have them for help and advice on what to do. Aggh! It is so scary! Can I do this on my own? Do I have to grow up?

Requirements are done!

Well, I am officially done with my school requirements. Unfortunately I still have one week left to go, but at least all I have to do is show up! At the VA Hospital yesterday I finished up getting my PE's done and all of my patient requirements(Class 4's) are done now too! It is so nice! It was a great feeling. Now, the only worry I have to make it through is passing board exams on May 8th! I hope I do it too, because yesterday I got a job! It is for an awesome dentist in Sandy, he has a sweet office too. The chairs have massagers, and there are tv's in the ceiling, and he is really nice, I liked him right away. I just hope I pass boards so that I can actually work for him!

Graduation Announcement!

Well, it has come time to send out graduation invites, however, after all of the family between Trent's side and my side we have run out. So, I love you all just as much, but sorry I can't send one. Here is the exact replica of what I sent out. I'm definitely getting excited for the day! Thanks to all those who've supported me!

Last Lecture on Life

If you haven't watched this yet...here it is. It is like an hour...but you don't even have to watch the whole thing to gain understanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Lifestyles of Trent and Casandra

Well, I had a friend(Shannon!) request that I update my boring blog. You see I have a particularly hard time competing with all you peeps out there with darling kids...I've got nothing! So anyway, Trent and I have been up to the usual. Recently we watched a few movies...August Rush, The Bee Movie, and I watched Hairspray with my friend Meg. Trent would never be caught dead watching a musical...although interestingly he liked August Rush(shh, we won't tell him they sing) ;) I have recently found myself with absolutely nothing to do with my time. Since taking the Board exams a few weeks ago I don't have to spend every minute studying. At first, I thought this would be nice, however now I have no idea what else to do. I don't know what will happen in May when I am graduated, but have to wait until June to receive my Dental Hygiene license and begin work. I try to take up time by attending the local gym...however, we all need a little junk in the trunk, so my workouts just don't last too long.
Good news! I graduate in approximately 3 weeks! School ends in 2 weeks! Yep, that's right folks they are releasing me into the real world. I graduate May 2nd, then the following week on May 8th I take my clinical board exams. Let me just tell you a little about this test. They make you find this specific patient(that rarely exists) with a certain amount of calculus(tarter) and an otherwise healthy mouth. I have found my patient and his name is Oscar. So, this week, for Mockboards (which are just like boards but the real big examiner people don't come) I had Oscar come in, to clean some of his teeth. I wanted to get used to his mouth and practice a bit. Well, I failed mockboards, I missed some calculus pieces! That's right, I failed on the guy I intend to use for the real $900 big deal exam. So, I spent Tuesday night in bed watching the biggest loser, I have recovered now because I watched "The Last Lecture" by Mr. Pausch...it is very inspirational. I recommend it to anyone. He says that we hit brick walls so that we can find out how much we want something. So, I failed mockboards because I had to decide if I really wanted this in life! TaDa, I do! I want to be a dental hygienist and I want to pass boards.

Still friends!

I forgot to blog about our weekend. On friday night we had plans to go see a friend of our who recently got a new house. She and her husband invited a big group over to play games, eat food, and of course see their new home. So, we packed up and headed out to Lehi where they live. It was great! When we got there so many of our great friends from high school were there. It was nice to catch up. When I was in school we had a group of 10 girls that were really good friends. We pretty much did everything together. Well, they were all there. We have stayed in touch 5 years after high school! What a crazy accomplishment. I hear that it is really rare to stay in touch that long, and for such a big group of us to stay in touch makes me so proud of us! We are getting to the point where many of us will be moving away for jobs or school, some have kids...life is moving on. I hope we can keep up our traditions and stay in touch! I love you girls!

Dental Hygiene Clinic!

Well, it was a pretty good day in clinic yesterday. I was able to get 4 PE's done. These are process evaluations where you have to preform a specific task while the professors watch, then they grade/critique you on it. I have only 3 evals left! Wahoo! I also was able to give anesthetic on both of my patients, which is always great practice. It is so nice since I passed the test, the instructors still watch you, but they just trust now that you can do it on your own. I like it. My patient in the morning was a man that is having open heart surgery on Friday. His cardiologists said he couldn't have the surgery unless he got his teeth cleaned and had no problems. I like that people are becoming more aware of the whole picture. Your mouth and the disease/lack of care in it can and will affect your body short and long term! So anyway, the guy was really nice and I got him all done...I just wish him luck with his surgery. Then my afternoon patient was this old retired lady. I had seen her before, and she is really sweet. She told me that I picked the wrong profession...and that I should be a model. Of course, I laughed inside, and told her thanks. I thought she was a little crazy. Anyway, she came back and was just as sweet this time. The professors and other students could hear her talking and afterward they made fun of me because this lady was seriously so nice to me. I had to get her numb and she needed the nitrous(laughing gas) so it was a good experience. I just had to keep my hands in her mouth so she wouldn't talk to me!! :)
I can't believe that school is coming to an end. I have three weeks left until it is all over forever! It is so exciting, but scary. I hope that I have learned all that I need to know to be a great hygienist! It is weird to think that I won't have a professor to suggest what to do anymore...I'll decide for myself what is best! Yay Freedom!

Count Your Many Blessings!

Well I have been wanting to write this post for awhile, because my blessings are what got me through all the stress of board exams! One night, I was really stressed and had not been sleeping so I got really frustrated, and I was simply reminded by my wonderful husband that I needed to be grateful for the blessings in my life. After that, I was stress-free, everyday I wake up and think of things I am blessed with. It is a serious help, I recommend it to everyone. (Except you are all probably smarter than me and you already do it everyday). Anyway, I wanted to list 10, but I think five blessings will do for now.

1. I am so very grateful for Trent. He had put up with so much while I have been in school. He has done it all with a smile on his face, and has never complained. He kept our house clean, our dishes done, our laundry done, and me happy. I love you Trent!

2. I am grateful for my family. They have all been such a huge support throughout my life. I am especially grateful that they understood the seriousness of school in my life, and have cut me some slack. I feel very selfish for having spent so much of my free time studying...but I know that they all understand, and I couldn't be more grateful.

3. I am grateful for my girlfriends, and all of my friends for that matter. It was so nice on the day of my huge 8 hour exam my friends had planned to go out to dinner, in celebration of my freedom and my great friend Meg's Birthday. I think friends are such an important and crucial part of life. I love you guys!
Ok, so it is 3 for now. I didn't make any promises! To be continued...

'Til We Meet Again...a Tribute to TY!

Well, Trent and I thought that we had this great idea to write a post about our brother Ty that passed away a year ago today. We see that we weren't the only ones with this great idea.
We have had so many blessings in our lives since Ty's passing, and we know that he is up there advocating for us. We had the opportunity of being married, and felt Ty, we know he was there. He made us laugh and smile in this life, and he still does today. His wife Cassie Jo and him were such an amazing example to us when we were preparing for our wedding and eternal commitment. They both exemplify what it means to be faithful. Ty really took care of his brothers, and I think he still does. Trent loves to feel close to Ty by going snowmobiling. We have all had so many sacred moments where we have felt Ty and know he is well. We are so grateful for the gospel in our lives and the knowledge it gives us. We miss you Ty, but we know we will see you again really soon. Take care of our kids up there.

National Boards are Over!

Well, today I had the absolute longest most agonizing test of my life. The only good thing about it is that I was prepared! I am sure you all know that I have literally spent every waking moment of every day studying for this hideous exam, and now it is all over! It was easy in some ways and in others I felt that no matter how hard I studied I would have never known some of the trivia they ask. Anyway, it was 7.5 hours of picking my brain, and I am tired! I am so excited that I have come this far in my career, and for all of the support I have. My husband has been wondeful as I have neglected everything from cleaning, cooking, showering, and having fun just to study for this exam. I am so glad it is over, I feel free! Now, I just have to wait until May to find out if I passed!

Hallelujah!!

Well, after a long and stressful week I have FINALLY found a BOARD PATIENT! Hooray! The week started with me screening everyone in Ogden to try to find that one perfect patient that qualifies for boards, and I had no luck. Today was my last chance effort before I went insane! Apparently the Lord recognized that because he blessed me with a board patient today. I am really excited too because he was a board patient last year, and knows how important it is, so I think he will be very dependable. I also found a backup patient, in case for some reason the original doesn't work out. My friend Skye is using my patients brother as her board patient, so it was a truly lucky day. I went from having no-one to having/finding 3 that qualified! Hallelujah is what Trent said! I am sure that I haven't been the best person to live with lately, but things are getting better. I have spent the week studying for the last written board exam I will ever have to take(if I pass). I take the 8 hour exam on Tuesday, and then, freedom at last! Wish me luck!

Viva Las Vegas!

We couldn't get enough of Las Vegas last weekend when we went down for the wedding of Trent's cousin Kevin. This time Trent's boss paid for the trip(woohoo!) so we couldn't turn it down. We went for the Conexpo(Construction Expo, Trent works at a gravel pit). It was HUGE! To say the least. There were lots of loaders, dozers, and all sorts of big equipment. We also enjoyed the city, in spite of the constant lack of fresh air due to cigarette smoke! We stayed at the Excalibur hotel and were there for 4 days. It was lots of fun, and a good way to de-stress on spring break! Here are some pics from the trip!

At the expo... Toby in a loader
Here I am in a skid-steer...Trent uses this at work a lot!

Trent also found his Dream Car, a Ferrari!












We went to the Stratosphere...Trent rode the Big Shot on top, I wussed out! But, I did ride the New York, New York roller coaster!
We went to the M&M factory, it smells like chocolate mmmm. They taught us how they make M&M's. We also went to the coke factory.












This apron reads..."I am smoking hot!"













We watched the fountains at Bellagio, from the ground and from the top of the Eiffel Tower at the Paris hotel. Trent says he doesn't have to take me to Paris, France now...apparently he thinks a $10 elevator ride to the top of a hotel does Paris justice. (It was really cold up there, if you can't tell by the picture)
All in all, it was a great trip, and thanks to Trent's boss, it was also easy on the pocket book!

2 Down, 2 to Go!

Well, I took my written and clinical exam for anesthesia this morning, and I PASSED THEM BOTH!! What sweet relief it is. They literally just give you a number, and they bring out an envelope with your number on it...inside are your results. Mine happen to be displayed above! Now, I just have an 8 hour exam on March 25th and another one in May!
* Special thanks to all those who said prayers for me! Thanks! It really helped!

Now...it is off to Vegas! To forget school and enjoy my very last Spring Break ever!!

Doomsday Has Arrived!

Well, the time has come. I take the first 2 tests in a series of four before graduation, tomorrow! Should I be studying right now, yes! But, I have butterflies in my stomach so I had to take a break! The test consists of a written portion in the morning, you take it, then wait in a room until they bring you an envelope that says whether or not you passed. So you pass or fail in front of everyone else, sounds great right? Then, if you do pass you take the clinical portion, and again you recieve an envelope that says pass or fail. I am feeling pretty good about it, but I have this problem where right before the exam I feel like I didn't study nearly enough, I guess it is self doubt, it is a terrible habit. Anyway, say prayers for me....more to come later!

Always Follow the Directions!

So last night after cooking dinner, I decided that chocolate cupcakes sounded pretty tasty. So, I had the cupcake cups that you don't have to use a muffin pan for...they are a little stiffer. I thought this was a great idea because my muffin pan had only 12 slots, while I could probably squeeze like 20 cups onto a cookie sheet, then I would only have to make one batch...sounds brilliant right!! Not so, I proceeded to fill each of the 20 cups I had strategically placed on the pan, and at the end had a little batter left, so I just spread it amongst the cupcakes. Well, the directions said that you should make 24 cupcakes...but I thought it would be ok, they'd just be a bit big. Big was no the problem, the problem was they rose and then dripped all over the pan and the oven. It was a disaster(pics below to prove it). So, I wanted to just throw them away, but Trent said he thought I could fix them...results follow.



So, what did I learn from all of this? Well, of course, never make cupcakes again. If you feel the need for cupcakes attend the local bakery and BUY them there! :)

High BP and ANUG

Today in clinic my morning patient had super high blood pressure, so I was not able to do any treatment. But, in my boredom I did some homework and was able to give some anesthetic for the DDS. Then, my afternoon patient, the patient previously known as my mockboard, came back because I sucked it up last time I cleaned her and had to redo it. So, I scaled her whole mouth again, and I got some anesthetic experience on her too. It was so good to see an improvement in her tissues although I had left residual calculus. ANUG is a condition that is occurs in college aged people. It is brought on by inadequate oral hygiene, stress, improper eating habits, etc. Basically it can happen to anyone who is in college. So, it just causes painful swelling of the gums and bleeding. But I helped her get rid of it! Yay! She was so happy with the results and that makes me smile!

Sweet Husband!

Well, I think Trent saw what Dan did for Calli and wanted to be sweet too! Well, it worked. I have been so stressed lately with school and trying to study for my exams that I have not been sleeping very well. I even had to invest in some sleeping pills to help me out! Anyway, after my week of studying and having mockboards this week, I got home Friday afternoon from school and found my bags packed and this note...

It is kind of hard to read, it said...
Hey there princess, you know you're my hun,
So I though I'd plan something where we can go to have a little fun.
With the tests coming up, and all we have to do,
I know a night on the town will be perfect for me and you.
So pack your bags, and get your clothes and shoes too,
'Cause we won't be getting home until tomorrow afternoon.

So, when he got home from work he took my to dinner and to The Gateway to do some shopping. Then we stayed the night at the Little America hotel! It was so relaxing and nice to just get away from home and not worry about all the things I have to do! I am so grateful I have such a thoughtful and sweet husband! I love you Trent!

Anesthesia Mockboard!

So today was anesthesia mockboards. I used my best peer pal ever, Denae, as my patient. She was great. We had the clinical portion where we have to give two injections, the IA and the PSA. I did great, I was not nervous until the 2nd injection. After the clinical portion, we had to take a written test that was about 50 questions. I didn't study for this at all because I wanted to see how much I really knew...I did good! I passed the test without studying! But, I still have to try to motivate myself to study, because now I am nervous that the real test will be much harder! I am definitely glad that we have a mockboard, it eases a little(very little) bit of anxiety for the real test! Which is in 2 1/2 weeks!