Night in Gangnam and a day in Hell...

Two Fridays ago, one of my co-workers had to take her ACT in Seoul... yes, the ACT even though she is a grown woman... but, she is going back to school for ASL. I had to get a wisdom tooth taken out the next morning anyways, so I was all in for staying the night in Seoul. Ali and Brittney got a good deal on a beautiful hotel in Gangnam... I was so pumped!

 

 

Living like queens! The beds were amazingggg! Poor Brittney is studying in the corner, while Ali is on her iPad in her bed.

 

After work, I ran out the door because I was in for a little adventure before I was going to go to the hotel. I had been in contact with some acquaintances from high school and we were all in Korea for various reasons at the same time (I'm teaching, one is enlisting in the military, one is on summer break from school, and one was here for a wedding). So, it was perfect timing to have a mini LHN reunion.

 

Sweet Daunie!

 

Daun, Me, Brandon, and Paul... Classes of  '04, '07, '08, '11!

 

We met at Dos Taco in Gangnam (yummy!) and had ourselves a great time! I only got to see everyone for about an hour (because for some reason I got RIDICULOUSLY lost, ugh!), but it was well worth it! I wish I had gotten to know each of them more while I was at North. I was even moved to tears when Brandon, Paul, and I went to pay, but the waitress told us that Daun (who left maybe 20 minutes earlier than us to catch a bus) had PAID for all of us...And she didn't even eat! Nights like that night... man, they fill me with such JOY... and they also make the world seem so small!

 

Despite an amazing night, I had to suffer a cruel world the next day. I went to get a wisdom tooth taken out. I've always needed them out ever since I got orthodontics, but they only started giving me problems when I came here (go figure...). I was waking up in the middle of the night crying in pain, I could barely eat without wincing every time I bit down, and I was completely out of pain killers.

I at least found an amazing office in Seoul called A+ Dental and they have an awesome Korean woman there that speaks perfect English named Joyce. The only real problem is that Korea does not do sedation. I had to get that bad boy removed with just local anesthesia. (Also, they only take out one tooth at a time because they want you to be able to eat real food... not like pudding and ice cream for days.) I really thought I was tough enough to handle this by myself. Going to the dentist and orthodontist back home never scared me (until the day before I left for Korea... I had 8 fillings...that was a nightmare too). Once I got past the anesthesia shots (which I thought was going to be the worst part because I HATE shots!) there was the gingivectomy to my bottom right wisdom tooth. During this process, they literally burn the gums off of your teeth. It was the most awful taste and smell. I gag just thinking about it. That was terrible... and just when I didn't think it could get much worse they started working on my top right wisdom tooth. The CRACKING AND THE PULLING. Ugh, it was a nightmare. Being aware during the whole process was the cherry on top. Seeing the dentist and they hygienists' concerned faces, hearing my teeth shift and crack, my whole head shaking from the pulling force of the dentist... It was all too much. The only redeeming part about the procedure was when they started to lift my seat and I had this idea in my head that they were never able to get it out and all was hopeless... but then, I look over and sure enough there was my bloody tooth and blackened gums on the tray.

As I went back to the bus stop to go home, I really thought I was alright. However, once I stepped on my bus... I lost it. I could NOT stop crying for some reason! I guess it was either the realization of what I just went through... or me just wanting my mommy. Either way, by the next day I was fine and could eat anything I wanted! That was they only perk, I swear. So, there's my story. And just so you know, I'm getting the same thing done to the other side in two weeks. You may call me a lunatic now...

 

Post operation... Mouth stuffed with gauze that you cannot see... and bills in my hands... thankfully the procedure was only 22 bucks! At least my school provides legit insurance.