So! It’s the end of week 6 today, and I’ll be putting on my 4th set of aligners tonight!

But firstly, attachments!

Attachments
I’ve had my attachments on for 2 weeks already, and they don’t feel very bad now. But to be honest, it felt really tight when I had them on with the new pair of aligners 2 weeks ago, and they feel ugly. They look ugly too at first, but after the first week, I realised that no one really notices them. Either that or they didn’t ask. But so far, NO ONE in office (other than those I mentioned to), has asked me about the attachments. Hahaha.

I have more than 10 attachments by the way. Seems like a lot more than what I see online =/ I think not everyone has to have them on, so no worries about it. Speak to your dentist or something!

To those curious on how the dentist put these attachments on, they have to file your teeth first. The filing part came as a surprise to me (coz I didn’t read up and know), but it wasn’t that bad, even though my dentist was scared that I would be scared or something.

The attachments were put on by another dentist, and here’s a video on how the process is like:

Teeth were really tender and sore to be honest, and it was very difficult to take your aligners off without your teeth feeling like they’re gonna fall off. I expect the next aligner to be like that, but I’m quite used to it now. Again, there’s negligible pain, and the sore went away after 2 days this time.

Aligners with attachments are not easy to clean, so do clean it thoroughly when needed.The filing of teeth also created more gaps in between my teeth and I’ll have to take note and floss carefully after meal time or food will get stuck.

How does it feel with attachments? It feels like there’s food stuck on your teeth once you take out your aligners. Not sure how to explain, but it doesn’t hurt, and you’ll just want to put your aligners back on only. Nothing too bad to handle.

Can’t wait to see my teeth move more. They have moved, but it isn’t anything too obvious – yet.

Wanted to remind myself about this in one way or another.

Attended study meeting yesterday, and the gosho was “Hero of the World”.

I loveeee how one topic can have different Buddhist principles incorporated inside, that makes me look at things and reminds myself about applying these principles in my life.

Anyway, one topic was “Absolute vs Relative happiness”.
It’s just something sooo simple, but yet we often forget about. We often forget that we should be happy or sad because of the things we do, but not others. Yes, they may upset us, they may affect us, but we shouldn’t base our happiness on what others do.

I’m not good at explaining, so I got these paragraphs from: http://www.sgi.org/sgi-president/writings-by-sgi-president-ikeda/on-practice.html

“When you get right down to it, does material wealth assure happiness? Does fame? Does living in a big house? The answer is an emphatic “no.” All the time we see people embroiled in bitter battles over money; people plunged into misery when onetime fame and popularity disappears; people ruining their own lives when they let fame and power go to their heads; and people living in large luxurious homes where family members cannot stand one another and a cold and hostile atmosphere pervades.

Such things as money, fame and material possessions offer a fleeting, transitory kind of satisfaction, something which can be called “relative happiness.” However, when we transform our lives internally, when we develop within ourselves a brilliant inner palace, then we can be said to have established “absolute happiness.” If we develop a state of mind as vast and resplendent as a magnificent palace, then nothing–no matter where we go or what we may encounter in life–can undermine or destroy our happiness.”

8 Sep: Writing this while being very inspired to write something worthy of Thought Catalog. I know it’s kinda impossible, as the standard there’s pretty high, but here are my thoughts that I would really liked to be kept somewhere in this blog.

21 Sep: Posting this up! 😀

The day I met you.

It was a pretty insignificant day. I didn’t even know you were going to be there and be part of my life then.

I remembered being slightly nervous throughout the day. As it would be the first of the few practices before the performance. This would have been the 2nd time I’m playing in a pop band.

I knew then, that I would be meeting a guitarist who I’d played with previously, and my friend who’d organised this practice. He is your friend too. That’s why you were there.

I couldn’t decide what to eat for dinner, and settled for some handmade noodles. The stall owner didn’t want to give me my order at first, and the cook helped me. The noodles were awesome however.

As I sat there wondering if I did enough preparation for that practice session.

As shared with you before, the moment you came up, I got a HUGE surprises as I didn’t know you were there. Second reason I’d explained with you before. 🙂

Perhaps my impression of you then was very – how should I put it – that you were intimidating, and a good musician. I didn’t know you at all then, and everything was based on the videos of you that I’d seen, your performance with our mutual friend (your previous band), photos, and comments from others. Quite interesting how we already make an impression of someone even without meeting them.

I remembered being quite quite annoyed when I wasn’t being thought of as the drummer by you. Haha! In fact, a negative impression had been marred from it!

But after that moment, one where I was sabotaged by our friend, I think you’re pretty nice! And it turns out that you’re sick but you still came, and that you were quiet not because you’re being proud but because you’re tired.

Wait, back to that day. If we were to gauge on that actual day, I think perhaps my “first” impression of you was already originally formed, that day was pretty insignificant at all.

Never judge anything based on the beginning, but how it continues. 🙂

Haven’t blogged in ages!

Since the last entry, work has been taking up my life, focusing a lot of my work and finally there’s some achievement.

Today is payday, and I didn’t hit commission again. But whatever, I think my boss knows about my attitude towards work. I work hard, I work my best. Yes I aim for the target, but if I don’t hit it, I aim again next month. I prepare for the goals next month if I don’t hit it this month.

Anyway, I remembered there’s this Chinese teacher I had who used to always say, “忍耐也是有限度的.” The class used to laugh about this. But I really understood then what she meant, and I still understand it now.

Sometimes, I just don’t get it why my sister and everyone is like that. Then I remember karma and that I can change it.

Anyway, somehow I am much calmer now. Nicole said something really relevant “What for? Doesn’t do your health any good”.

Good night!