Braces Shmaces

Ok. So I had my acting class tonight and I was super nervous about acting with braces. Sounds silly I know. It just sucks that I was finally finding my grove, letting go of all that self conscious shit that college left me with and now here I am, having another thing to be self conscious about. Well I should have checked all my nerves at the door because it went fine! The scene went great and my teacher even said braces work for me. Ya, I look like I'm about 12, but as long as it's not turning me into an awkward actor then I'm okay. 

Also, I know I've only had them on like a week but I figured I would start noticing changes by now. Only because my ortho told me shifting would happen like right away. Maybe it's so gradual I can't tell. I can't wait till my bottom teeth are straightened out though. I have a bit of crowding at the moment. 

Also, if anyone can give me some tips on how to floss with braces that would be great! Seriously, not that easy. 

Off to Taos tomorrow. Back just in time for ACL. Can't wait. 

Things are changing

Well, I've started applying for jobs. I've decided I would really love to work for an organization that promotes the well being and health of women! I applied at Austin Woman Magazine but I'm still waiting to hear. Cross your fingers for me! 

Well being back in my parent's house is weird. They moved here when I was a soph in high school so it's hard to feel really attached to it. I couldn't bring myself to sleep in my old room though. It holds all these memories of when I was younger. It's weird. I know I was that girl, and that girl is my past, making up who I am now, but in a way I don't know her at all. So I have moved into my sister's old room. It needs some serious re-decorating but, I'm up for the challenge. I started going through all my old stuff tonight. Of course this required Champagne. So in my Champagne stupor I kept coming across old love letters, pictures, and old gifts. How can one person collect this much stuff??? I'm only 22! I can never bring myself to give anything away though. I've been thinking of taking some of my old things and turning them into some kind of art project. I guess it would be a way of taking my past into my present. I dunno. I just don't want all this stuff to end up in the attic. 

Listening to Richie Havens right now and wishing I had been at Woodstock. I'll probably dream about that tonight. 

Anyway, braces are still on and I'm starting to get used to them. Here I am starting over back home, getting to know my city again, making new friends.....this would be so much easier without braces. But I wanted this! I was just thinking today that by my 24th birthday I will have my braces off and my new smile and profile! Who knows what life will be like in a year and a half. 

Right now things are changing. I'm just trying to stay positive. 

Pictures

Here are a few pictures showing off my smile front/profile. You can see how I push my lower jaw forward in order to smile (for my teeth to touch). I hate my profile. I can't wait for the surgery to correct it! 

So It Starts

Well things are finally underway! I got my braces on today and it's a total flashback to middle school. I've been wanting this for so long and even though I know I need the surgery it kind of sucks having to have braces again. At least it's only the next year and half of my life. It is turning out to be quite pricey though. My mom said it's basically like another year of college. Fun. As soon as I get a job I will start helping out, paying them back. I'm so grateful that they are willing to help me out. Our insurance really sucks so they won't cover the surgery even though it's clear to my orthodontist and my surgeon that I need it. Maybe things will be better with Obama's new healthcare plan. I couldn't wait though! 

Hopefully by next July-Aug I will be having the surgery. I will be getting surgery done on my lower jaw and upper jaw. My lower jaw will be moved forward and my upper jaw moved up. This will fix my open bite! Also right now I can not comfortably close my mouth without using facial muscles which might mean I also need a genioplasty, but this will most likely be assessed after the jaw surgery. 

I go back to my orthodontist in 7 weeks so until then! Hopefully I get used to these braces.....