Is This It

So my birthday passed last month.

Twenty six.

I wish I could go back to when I was 20 and tell myself to use to uni holidays, stop saving your money for nothing and live your life. Go to Europe, go to North America. Because you'll never be given those 6 weeks off again.

And it's not too late for me now. I know it's not. I can choose to take time off whenever I want (within reason). But why's it so hard for me to even take a day off work? Whatever I do fills me with extreme guilt.

It's all about perspective, I know.
So why don't I allow myself to be happy?

Love Lisa.

Half A Year In

So now that I'll be working more or less full time I'm finally a real adult, right? Right??

Things haven't panned out like I imagined. Not to say that things are bad.
But I'm currently working part time in 4 different jobs.

I know this may sound like complete madness for some people, but the fact is I'm still a dentist at each of these jobs, so really the only difference is the location and the people I work with. And considering dental teams are quite small, I don't mind widening my network by working in multiple practices. Thus far, I think it's been really good experience working in multiple practices. I've begun to learn what I like and don't like.

I'm not money driven in my job. I would never push patients into treatment that I did not think they needed. Otherwise, I would not be able to sleep at night. There was once instance where I jumped the gun and recommended a crown when it was not 100% needed, in the moment I was not thinking straight. I allowed my patient's fear of a filling not lasting cloud my judgement. But can I say I did an excellent job of giving her all the facts the next visit and together we decided to delay a crown until when the filling fails again. And I felt good.

I'm off track. Basically, because I'm not a liar and a thief, the only way I see myself making more money in my profession is (a) if I learn to do more complex procedures or (b) if I work more hours. Currently I'm aiming to get the basics down pat so I'm putting a raincheck on (a). That leaves me with (b). Am I crazy for now working 6 days a week, as well as one of those days being a 8am-8pm working day? And possibly picking up more hours so that I'll also have a 8am to 9pm day too?

Ugh, I really don't know what to do. As I said I'm not money driven but I want to help my parents out. They've truly sacrificed so much to provide me with every opportunity in life. Also, I do want to be able to enjoy nice things too.

I think I can do it. I've always worked hard. If anything, I enjoy working. I hate when I have to much free time because it feels like it's being wasted (hence me working every Saturday and Sunday during dental school).

Worse case if my next post is about me burning out. Someone remind me that I can always cut down on my hours, leave one of my jobs etc. if needed.

Wish me luck,

Love Lisa.

Oh She's A Gold Digger

So I'm of Shanghainese background. And there's a stereotype that Shanghainese women are either extremely wealthy, gold diggers or both. The first time I heard someone say this to me I was deeply offended, as I am the polar opposite. And not only that but how dare someone utter such a ridiculous lie about my heritage. But now over the last 7 years, meeting and hearing about other Shanghainese girls, I finally understand the stereotype.

I wish I could fulfil the former aspect of being wealthy but no, I don't think it was in the stars for me to be rich. And I'm not complaining, I only want to live comfortably and to help take the financial burden off my family's shoulders.

Here's to me currently making peanuts at apparently the highest paying job as a new graduate.

Love Lisa.

Why The Hate

'Oh, you're a doctor? That's so cool.' *eyes glistening*

'Oh, you're a dentist? I hate dentists.' *cue story about your wisdom teeth and refusal to seek treatment*

Common alternate scenario:

'Oh, so you're like a dental assistant?' 

'No, I'm actually a real dentist, believe it or not.'

Why is it so acceptable to tell dentists to their face, sometimes right before they treat you, how much you hate them?

I hear it so often, I brush it off. It's almost meaningless. I laugh and say 'I know, me too' *ha ha ha* :| But really think about it, it's extremely rude and you would never do it to someone in another profession.

/rant

Love Lisa.

Stop It

I loathe when people upload set their profile pictures on instagram / facebook and anywhere else that is not temporary, which have snapchat filters on them.
I refer to the filters which change your face in some form or another.
I especially loathe when it's the filter that slims and contours your face.

Just stop it.

On a completely different note, I just had a look at my blog banner. I do remember that it is 100% my content, the background cloud photo, the photo of the bokeh and what not. Not bad. I'm mainly impressed about the fact that I did this in high school and I probably couldn't make anything better now.

Love Lisa.

2 0 1 8

So it must have really been a hectic few months, this is the longest hiatus I've had in a while.

Let's be succinct because I think it's the fact that I drivel on for so much that is really off-putting.

I had my final exams, they definitely weren't great but I made it through.
Somehow.

Had the grad trip cruise with the dent crew. 10 nights travelling to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Was overall great but I did get very sick for the last 3 days.

Graduated, finally got to wear a hat. Weather was terrible, it was the thunderstorm/flood warning day.

Had my grad ball. I fell down the stairs and landed straight on my coccyx. It still kinda hurts if I try to lift weights.

Went through a very emotional period as many of my close friends have left the country (as they only came to Australia to study dentistry). Also had a very low period not being able to find employment when it seemed like every around me already had. It hit especially hard due to coming close twice in really great positions, but still getting rejected.

Found a part time job, should be starting mid jan.

Daniel bought me the Givenchy bag of my dreams.

Christmas was uneventful.

Had New Years at Alan's with most of the remaining dentistry people in Melbourne. This was definitely the last time I'm going to be a fair number of them.

Now that I don't have to study surely I have more time to pursue my interests, i.e. brush lettering, fitness, blogging and what now.

New Year, New Me. I Hope.

Stay tuned,

Love Lisa.