So I've been working now at a teleradiology for a whole 4 months now and its still a good job. I really can't complain too much. There's always going to be things here and there that I wish were different but its a good job and it pays the bills (which seem to be piling up these days). I did get a Christmas bonus this year too which is nice, maybe it will pay for a flight to Vegas for another interview if nothing else. So yeah, I have an interview now scheduled for my birthday next month, but they said I could call monday to see if there are any drop-outs next week and I may get fit in earlier (I'm crossing my fingers). This whole dental school application process is very stressful. I am really getting anxious to hear from the 2 places I've interviewed at (UW and
We had a ward EQ party deal last night which was fun. A little karaoke and some catch phrase. I think Carrie is getting mad at me for being anti-social all of the time, so I may have to make some friends for her sake. I haven't been to church in like 3 weeks because of work. It really sucks having to work every holiday and weekends sometimes. Hopefully I'll have more sundays off from now on though - I did talk to them about it. All in all life is good. Just this whole D-school crap is really stressing me out right now. If I can just get in somewhere it would be a huge relief. Ok enough for now.
12/9/06
Job Woes and Interviews
11/14/06
Dental Application and Life in Spokane
So I am going to start keeping a journal here in my gmail account I think. It is easier and more secure than a blog. I already made the mistake of doing that when NRS, the company I've been working for for about 5 months now, found some things I'd written about them and asked me to delete it. I was just stating how happy I was to have landed the job too. Oh well. I do like my job except that it is very slow in the mornings like now, until about 2pm when we start doing normal cases. I do learn a lot of medical jargon which I think is very useful too.
So I'm deep into the 2006-2007 application cycle for Dental School now. I have only actually interviewed at 1 school out of the ten that I have applied to. Luckily for me that one is UW, which is my obvious first choice. I think it went pretty well too. Jay and Stephanie and Carrie drilled my as a panel the day before the interview and I think that helped a lot. I am happy with my chances and feel like I'd be a good fit there at the school. I like the small class size and the focus on rural care. Hopefully I'll get in. I'm interviewing at Temple University in 2 weeks as well. I have heard good things about the school from Benny, Carries cousin, who I hopefully will be staying with. I still need to call him to make sure. I'd like to go there too I think, except that its on the east coast. Clinics are supposed to be great. I'm just hoping to get in somewhere. Arizona rejected me and 7 other schools are leaving me in the dark on my status. I don't like that. Its stressing me out. Oh well. Temple and UW are my top 2 probably so that's the most important anyhow. As long as I get into one of those I'll be happy.
So Carrie and I have been contemplating having a kid soon. Carrie gets soo stressed out with school that I don't know how she would handle pregnancy and school next semester, but if it happens then it will work out I'm sure. Kids would be nice, although taking care of a newborn during my first semester of school might be difficult, but fun - maybe. Carrie will have one semester left come January and she claims she hates everything about nursing and wants to drop out. Stress. She doesn't handle it well. She'll be fine though. I love her. Shes a great wife and we're perfect for each other.
We've moved to the Valley recently and are enjoying it. We have a much nicer apartment and are loving the dishwasher/washer-dryer lifestyle for the first time since being married. Our ward is good though we don't have friends there except Noriko and John (which is kinda strange for obvious reasons). Its good though and we like it. Carrie has a calling in the YW but doesn't like the people she works with. Oh well.
Well I'll see if I can figure out how to post some pictures up here and then be done with it.
7/11/06
Xbox and Personal Statement
One big stressor for me finally got resolved to day though - my dental school application. I finally completed it and sent it in. cost me over $800 and a lot or hard work, but it will all be worth it (or so I keep telling myself). Here's a copy of my personal statement that I submitted with it:
Throughout my life I have been privileged to be surrounded by selfless people. Everyone from my parents or church leaders to my family dentist has helped me to realize the importance of service to others. Growing up in a small farming town, I realized the importance of hard work at a young age. I have strived in everything I do to perform to the best of my abilities and feel that these two qualities, hard work and service, have been among the best lessons I have learned in my life. As a young man planning for the future, I looked forward to applying these virtues in my career.
I spent the majority of my childhood growing up in the rural Columbia Basin of Washington. Having grown up in a small farming town, I have learned first hand the value of hard work and good morals. I enjoy the small-town lifestyle and look forward to serving the rural communities that often lacks quality dental care. I have seen dental problems caused by those who cannot afford insurance. I also have personal experience in this area, as my wife and I, being full time students, have lacked the money and insurance to get cavities fixed.
I cannot say exactly when I decided that dentistry would be the career for me, but I do remember some events that touched me so deeply that I never thought about dentists the same afterward. At the age of nineteen, I made the decision to a full time service mission for my church. Before heading down to
I spent the next two years in
Since returning, I have been privileged to continue my community service as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America organization, as a youth leader in the local branch of my church, and as a member of the
During my final year of undergraduate studies at
Having shadowed dentists these last couple years, I have become very intrigued and excited about the artistic aspect of dentistry. I have learned a great deal about the field, and now have a much greater appreciation and anticipation for the artistic opportunities that lie ahead of me. Having realized the necessity of artistic skills, I have worked to add drawing and model making to my already developed guitar and piano playing skills to improve my manual dexterity.
There are many reasons why I have chosen dentistry: its combination of art and science, the challenging opportunities for life-long learning and mastery, and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with community members. But for me, the most worthwhile and satisfying factor that dentistry has to offer is its opportunity to provide service and make a difference in the community.
That is actually not the final one, but pretty close. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with it overall and think I have a pretty good application. I just hope I'm not too late in the year to be one of the first considered. I just hope I get in. Even just 2 acceptances would be perfect, some choice so I don't get stuck with a crappier school. Ah heck, who am I kiddin, if I get into any school I'll be happy.
Ok, so I also got a job interview and finally sold my ipod to a guy today. Payed my tithing yesterday after 3 mo. Go figure. Its nice to see the blessings so quickly. I should try this diligence thing more often. Well, I'd better go play some Fight Night 3. Later.
7/2/06
Start of Dental App
Eric
So whats happening for me in my life? Well, right now, I'm trying to keep my sanity while I'm looking for a job. There's not much available in my field (biology) and I can't move anywhere because Carrie of course still has a year left in nursing school, so . . . . I am stuck working telemarketing for now. I'll start up with Cingular on Monday (tomorrow) and then have the mornings to look for something else. We'll see what we can find.
Dental school stuff is starting to stress me out a bit. I need to get my application in ASAP and still have my personal statement and other things left to do with it. I am trying to get my letters of recommendation figured out as well which is a bit annoying.
Church is going well. I am a leader for the Teachers in th Young Mens and enjoy doing Scouting and other activities with them on Wednesday nights. Carrie is having fun in the primary teaching the crazy 5 yr old kids.
We recently got back from a post-Eric-finally-graduates-vacation to
So I'll try to keep this blog updated at least once a week or so and maybe add a photo here and there
