No, not really, but he is pretty great. I had my post-opp (post-operation) check-up yesterday, and he gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder and a smile before asking how things have been since my extraction. I have never had a dentist I've felt so comfortable with. If I'd had care this good in Chicago, maybe I wouldn't have taken a three-year break from professional oral hygiene. Anyway, my stitches are out and I'm healing nicely. Next step: my crown from March is still pretty sensitive to hot and cold, which isn't a great sign, so I need to schedule an appointment up north with some kind of -ontologist to see if the nerves need to be killed; then I can stop wincing every time milk hits the left side of my mouth. More dentist adventures for me - woo friggin' hoo.
For the last couple of nights, I've been plagued by dreams that seem pretty damn real while I'm in them. Thursday night, in a dream inspired by watching an episode of VH-1's Driven, Ashton Kutcher called me at home (which happened to be Chicago with my family), and we had a marathon phone conversation that ended with us making plans to get together. (Evidently I have much more sex appeal than Demi.) Last night, I was in my high school auditorium (which, of course, really wasn't my high school auditorium), complete in my old Catholic-school-girl attire, which fit surprisingly well. We were all gathered to hear the news that an old school friend had died (who I don't even think actually existed), and I was crying hysterically. Then suddenly I'm walking down Archer Avenue (still in Chicago) and bump into another friend from Maria High School, still crying. She and her father gave me a ride home, but I think it was in a shopping cart, and then suddenly we were by Lindy's Chili, right across the street from McKinley Park. Then I woke up.
I'm not sure what these dreams mean, but I am sure that I miss Chicago. I miss reading on the train ride to work and getting to the mall in 15 minutes. More importantly, I miss my family. I miss seeing them every day. I miss joking around with my dad and hashing out gossip with my mom before going to bed. I wish I could attend Donna Lyn's assemblies and help Ryan with her college registration without having to take a vacation day. And I miss my friends.
Oh, well. There are certainly many good things about Rensselaer, things that I plan on discussing in a piece for my writers' group meeting this Thursday. But I think I've almost had my fill. Almost.
We miss you here too! I can't wait till you see the baby!
Posted by: Brooke | June 27, 2004 at 12:45 PM