Screws & Springs

It was supposed to be a quick visit to the dentist today to get one of my loose brackets fixed. But the quick visit turned into a 40 minutes long session cos the dentist; Dr. How decided that I needed another round of MAJOR works!

Dr. How said my front teeth was still very protruding and the gaps from previous extractions are quickly closing in. That means that even if it the gaps are completely closed, my teeth will still be protruding. Thus the solutions were simple (according to Dr. How):

>> Tooth Implants
He inserted a screw on each side of my gum - just above the gap. These screws provide a pillar of support to the front teeth to move backwards and to restrict the back teeth from moving forward. The screws cost RM500 each but I was given a discount of RM150 each. Tho the discount was substantial, I still had to fork out RM700 for both screws! Rather expensive for 2 tiny screwsss!

Anyway, similar to previous extractions process, I had 2 injections! Both were at the positions where the screws should be (left and right). The jabs stung a little but the rest of the works were pain-free. I felt nothing when he screwed the screws into my gum.

>> Springs
After that, he added springs onto the screws and connected them to my teeth / brackets (just after the gaps) so that the teeth can be puuuuulled back with force. This coupled with the rubber bands that I diligently change everyday will help facilitate faster movement.

>> Crisscrossed Wires
If that's not enough, Dr. How also added several lines of wires crisscrossing by teeth... again all back to the pillars of support... the tiny screws...

When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I felt like an alien... :( But all in all, the works were not too unbearable cos' I've previously gone thru 4 extractions and a laser (frenectomy). If you ask me... the scariest of all has got to be extractions!!! I'm terrified of having my tooth extracted cos on both occasions, I bled non stop. So imagine my disappointment when Dr. How suggested that I should remove both my wisdom tooth in my next visit... For the sake of a beautiful smile, I will have to forgo 6 otherwise good tooth!

Since it's too late to back off now, I told myself that I am game for whatever that Dr. How suggests so long as the results are obtained before my wedding date. I have half mindedly accepted the fact that I may not be able to have any photography session prior to my wedding but am still keeping my fingers crossed... who knows?

With that, I am now RM700 bucks poorer and oh... in severe pain too cos the anaesthetic's over! Guess I will have to be on liquid food once again... for gawd knows how long :((

16-03-2008: $1,100 [Deposit, X-Rays, Photos & Moulding]
30-03-2008: $ 870 [Deposit & Upper Braces Fitting]
20-04-2008: $ 423 [Extraction & Medication]
18-05-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change]
17-08-2008: $ 325 [Bottom Braces Fitting]
14-09-2008: $ 764 [Extraction, Frenectomy & Medication]
25-10-2008: $ 385 [Wire Change & Scaling]
23-11-2008: $ 385 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change & Scaling]
24-12-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
24-01-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
21-02-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
28-02-2009: $ 714 [Loose Bracket, 2 Screws, 4 Springs and 4 Crisscrossed Wires]

YTD Spent: $6,266.00

Gaps

Today I went back for my 9th ortho review and this time, I went with my brother cos' he wanted to get a scaling done...

First thing Dr. How asked was "Your boyfriend is not here today?" and I said... "Husband..." much to his surprise and he went "Ohhh, married already? When???"... hehehe... It's been over a month that we're both legally married but the word "husband" from me or "wife" from OWLoon still send us grinning like silly fools... anyway I digressed...

Back to the session. All was fine and as usual he changed the wires and the rubber loops. But this time round he said that he wanted to "open up" the teeth on my bottom jaw and I was told to bear with the gaps... As of now, there are already gaps as wide as 2mm... in between my teeth... so I can't imagine how much wider the gap will be but oh well... since it's beyond my control, I might as well just accept it... :(

16-03-2008: $1,100 [Deposit, X-Rays, Photos & Moulding]
30-03-2008: $ 870 [Deposit & Upper Braces Fitting]
20-04-2008: $ 423 [Extraction & Medication]
18-05-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change]
17-08-2008: $ 325 [Bottom Braces Fitting]
14-09-2008: $ 764 [Extraction, Frenectomy & Medication]
25-10-2008: $ 385 [Wire Change & Scaling]
23-11-2008: $ 385 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change & Scaling]
24-12-2008: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
24-01-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]
21-02-2009: $ 325 [Wire Change & Rubber Loops Change]

YTD Spent: $5,552.00

Sigh... really can't wait to remove my braces!!!

Light at the End

There's light at the end of the tunnel afterall!

Finally collected my J.o.e.y. Y.a.p. C.h.i.n.e.s.e. A.s.t.r.o.l.o.g.y. 2.0.0.9. book today (ordered and waited for exactly a month!)... aaannnddd... the first paragraph was:

The Ox Year will prove to be somewhat of a challenging one to Goats. The entrance of a negative star, the Grand Duke Star, indicates that Goats need to be prepared to face quite a lot of challenges. But it's not all bad, as almost half of the year should yield positive results. It's a good year to move about and travel. Consider enjoying yourself in celebratory events so that you can lessen the impact of this negative star.

There is, however, one auspicious star that can prove to be of help. The Earth Relief Star represents the ability to solve problems, and it can change the negative to the positive. The Goat should face problems head on, or horns forward as it were. Despite the obstacles ahead, you'll be able to find a way ahead, you'll be able to find a way to overcome these problems. The Earth Relief Star also represents the ability to move residences, renovate homes or move furniture.

2009 does bring some negative stars for which you need to look out, the first being the Year Breaker Star. This star can herald the breakdown of networks you had formed before, due to something you said that might have offended people in power. It is not a good star for career and wealth in general.

The Great Consumer indicates potential loss of wealth. Goats should be careful about being cheated and refrain from making any investments. The Lan Gan Star places quite a lot of obstacles in your way, and you may find your goals and ambitions thwarted. But the Goat is nothing if not nimble in the face of challenges, so you're able to deftly maneuver your way around the rocky, mountainous terrain of life!

The Month Sha Star will bring the Goat problems brought on by women, while the Goat Blade Star indicates a risk of injury by metal or metal-based objects. In 2009, the Goat should generally expect to endure difficult things at first - but on the bright side, conditions do start to improve later on.

2009 Astrology

All Astrology books and articles I read claimed that those born in the year of Sheep will suffer serious afflictions and face a tough year ahead in 2009 because Sheep will be in direct conflict with the God of the Year, Tai Sui! Coming out of a triumphant 2008, I found it hard to believe... Cos' how could all good fortune just dissipate into thin air immediately after one step into the new year?

But boy oh boy was I WRONG!

For a start, 2009 is said to be a year of change for those born in the year of Sheep. And THIS... was really true cos' in the span of the last few weeks before CNY up till now, quite a fair bit of things changed in my life!
>> [02-01] Changed car...
>> [05-01] Changed portfolio...
>> [05-01] Changed boss...
>> [09-01] Changed marital status...
>> [21-01] Changed laptop...
>> [13-02] Changed seating place at work...

Then it was said that this year there'd be lots of misunderstandings and obstacles! This couldn't have been more true cos' the year really did start off with a baaaad misunderstanding [10-02]... Try as I might, good deeds seemed to be overshadowed by little mistakes and passing remarks are quickly miscontrued causing unnecessary misunderstandings...!!!

SO how?

While many believe that one's destiny is within one's own control... I truly believe that cosmic forces too have a strong influence on the outcome... Thus, armed with L.i.l.l.i.a.n. T.o.o.'s 2009 F.o.r.t.u.n.e. & F.e.n.g. S.h.u.i. S.h.e.e.p. 2.0.0.9, here are the things that I ought to be mindful of...

Best Directions
>> South East (Best direction of the year for Sheeps)
>> South (To foster good relationships and romance luck)
>> South West (Which is also the Sheep's location for big money luck)
>> North West (Small luck but Triumphant)

Worst Directions (which is kinda a lot this year)
>> North (5 Yellow Severe misfortune - I'm facing N at work... lucky thing am moving)
>> East (3 Killings and Burglary star)
>> North East (Grand Tai Sui thus afflicted and attract problems)
>> West (Illness chi but there's also a Prosperity star)

Sigh...

I really hope that I'll be able to get through the year without serious damage(s) and hopefully... triumphant despite all the negativity...! Wish me luck!!! Thank you, thank you...

Men & Women

Saw this few diagrams when I was blog hopping one day and I thought it was so so so true... women are in actual fact kinda "mafan"... :)

Follow the sequence:
When asked for a drink >> During the session >> After the session



I'm thirsty already!