dental work

A lot has happened in the last week. First interesting story is that I went to the dentist and had 4 cavities! I've never had a problem in the past. Whenever I have been to the dentist, they have told me that I'm a good brusher and that my teeth look great. You can imagine my surprise and doubtfulness when the dentist said I had four cavities. But then he proceeded to show me the one large dark spot on the side of my tooth (I could hardly believe I was looking at my own tooth!) and three other spots where the discoloration (kind of a yellowish color) indicated that the enamel was breaking down and the dark spots would soon be forming. As he explained everything I gained confidence that he knew what he was doing. He then shared that it would cost $30/filling and $30 for the cleaning and he could do it right away. So away we went. He used a local anasthetic only on one side and I toughed out the other side--which wasn't anywhere nearly as bad as I thought it would be. So, after about an hour and a half of my mouth open wide, we were done and I had four fillings. He used some kind of glue and white material, the same color as my teeth. And before he put that stuff in, he put in an insulating material because apparently the filling tends to conduct heat and cold more than the original tooth material, so it would otherwise leave the nerve too exposed to changes in temperature. I learned a lot about this whole process...but I was shocked that it had to happen. I still haven't completely gotten over that shock.

I've been taking spanish classes all week in the morning from 8:30-12:30. They've helped, but the material has been more of a review than forging new themes. I am a little bit disappointed by that, but I really got a lot of much needed practice and I really strengthened what I already know, while enriching my vocabulary.

Below are some more pictures of the house I am living in, including the familiy I'm living with. I am enjoying the family a lot. I have also begun to develop some relationships with other people closer to my age. The church that the father of my house pastors at seems to have many young people highly involved. One of them lives directly across the street--his name is Lenin. My family left for a week and a half on Wednesday. Lenin is staying with me while they're gone. He and I eat dinner together and teach each other our respective languages. I really enjoy his friendship. I think the family was a little worried about leaving me alone to fend for myself so they told the maid, Mirna, to make me lunch every day and they are the ones that arranged for Lenin to come and stay with me while they're gone. So far, Mirna has made so much for lunch that Lenin and I don't even have to cook for dinner. It's been great! :)

From the left to the right are Susana, Josue, Omar, and David. You probably recognize David because that's me. :)



This picture is looking at the house from the street. The front door is to the left of my truck.




Here's the living room, which is right inside the front door. I have watched more TV in the past two weeks than I have watched in the past 7 months!



This is the bathroom that I share with Josue.

























And here is something interesting. Notice two things. 1) the crazy amount of silicone or something...aparently put there to stop a leak, and then another leak, and then another leak, and then another leak, etc... I think this is a pretty common way to fix things, including cars. Also, there is no knob under the sink to turn off the water from the faucet. Hmm. I wonder what I'll do if there's ever an emergency like the faucet breaks. Both of the hoses there are cold water--there are no hot water heaters in Nicaragua. Hot showers come from a heater that is attached to the shower head. I don't have one. Only the right faucet on our bathroom sink works, and it leaks a pretty constant stream.



So there it is. Catch you later.