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Today is the annual UofA Dent Formal—an inauguration ceremony where the first year dentistry students will be presented a gold pin as a welcome for joining this rewarding dental profession. The gold pin is the key event, but somehow we don’t wear it afterward. Some people in my class joked about it and said we will wear that little gold pin only after we die. The pin will be buried along with us, and nobody is gonna see it, except that the worms would be the ones to see the glorious pin.

There will be buffet-type grand dinner as usual plus some music. This year is gonna be different. First, it’s organized by 3rd-year CDA student. Yep, 3rd year; that’s my year. Second, there will be wine in the dinner, unlike last year. Maybe that explains why this year’s ticket is a bit more pricy. Third, there will be a dance after the formal. Lastly, Dr. Kent Gibb, the associate chair of dean in UAlberta dentistry, will be retiring by the end of this year. Don’t know who will be the next associate chair. Probably it will be announced in the dent formal night?? Unfortunately, I’m not going tonight. I went to dent formal in the last two years already, but not this year. I’m running low of my resources, as usual. Unlike Alberta dental students who can be qualified for as much as $33,000 per year for student loan in addition to 3k-4k Millenium Scholarship, BC students are only eligible for $14,000 and BC government does NOT give Millenium Scholarship to dental students either. This puts me in a very financially stressful situation. I have to be careful, or else I’ll be kicked out by University of Alberta (not faculty of medicine and dentistry, though) due to unpaid tuition. This year in particular, my financial resource is running dangerously low. In fact, I’ve cut back my spending on almost all social acitivites thus far. This trend will probably continue throughout the rest of the year, as I don’t think my situation will get any better than the present one. We’ll see….

Some people are encouraging me to go, though, because they want me to take photos, like in previous events. I don’t mind taking pictures for people. I enjoy it. I take pictures for anyone, everyone, and everything as long as they don’t mind my photographying. Maybe this is why people want me to take picture. I take pictures randomly to include as many people as possible, not only my classmates but also other dental classes. I’m also well known for taking pictures of foods. Hmm…yummy. I mean, why not? Take pictures of foods, so that I’ll remember what I ate in any important events such as this one. Anyway, I’m sure there will be people who will bring their cameras and take place of my role. Digital cameras are so common nowadays and getting cheaper every year. It’s also getting smaller and handier.

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