dental implants, phase 2

it has been approximately 6 months since my implants were drilled into my bone. (this video, http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5824561932240476415# explains phase 1 very well.) it may have been 6 months ago, but, i certainly remember the procedure and its painful aftermath vividly. since osseointegration (the process where the titanium implant has essentially become a part of my upper jaw) has taken place, on christmas eve i underwent phase 2.

that day, after 2 rounds of novocaine, my dentist reopened my gumline and exposed my implants so that the abutments could be inserted. these abutments are special posts that serve as the connector between my implants and my soon to be fake crowns. these posts will support my crowns. since there's some other preparatory work that needs to be done, (impressions of my teeth and the construction of my crowns to match my existing teeth) i've been given falsies to wear in the meantime. these falsies are not nearly as dependable (they've already fallen out once and my dentist told me that that will most likely happen quite a few times this month!) as my flipper. (my retainer with my fake teeth attached) but it is pretty amazing to get a better idea of what it's going to feel like when i have my permanent teeth in my mouth! TO TEETH!!!!!

a big smile to show you my bruised gumline:

arrrrrrrrrrrgghh! me teeth!

falsies in my hand:

team 경주!

this time next month, one of my closest and dearest friends in seoul will return to the states. beginning with our first hike up to n tower, we've shared so many laughs, smiles, adventures. it's hard for me to fathom seoul without her, so until that day arrives, i'm getting in as much amanda time as i can! (small world story: amanda and i actually went to the same high school, but it was here in korea that we were introduced to each other from our awesome mutual friend, jennifer. thank you jennifer for being such a good friendster.)

amanda and i have this wonderful history of taking fabulous weekend trips outside of seoul. this past weekend was no exception to the glory. originally, we had wanted to go to jeongju, but, unfortunately the jeongju stars were not in proper alignment. everyone else and their mother had already booked up just about every pension in jeongju. not good. so, just in the nick of time, we, a dynamic team, composed plan b: gyeongju. hence, the our weekend name, team gyeongju! we sorted out the travel details, (early bus there, to maximize exploration time. train back, as to avoid traffic!) the pension details, and off we went. BEAUTIFUL.

a scrumptious welcoming gyeongju meal:

the restaurant's offerings. the menu:

the tastiest sweet potatoes, ever!

entrance to bulguksa, one of korea's oldest temples:







being silly:



soekgulram, grotto buddha is housed in that temple:




amanda loves the electric blanket!

our cute pension:

seated buddha, from our hike on namsan:


majestic mountains:



the enchanted forest:

the big chill

holiday cheer!