Gathering Supplies

This evening while I was in Watertown, I decided to pick up some supplies I thought I would need for my expo presentation and project. I bought a 3-ring binder, binder sheets, and a tri-fold. Some supplies are cheaper around Christmas and the end of the year. My cost analysis was pretty close compared to the actual price. I'm trying to figure out some decorating ideas, but I can't really find the items I'm looking for. I guess that isn't the biggest worry now. For now I'll stay focused on my hours and working on my project for the kids.

I decided I'll do my presentation/final product in February during National Children's Dental Month since I'm focusing my final product on the elementary students.

Dentist in December

I went to the dentist office again today. I talked to and shadowed my community mentor, Gail. This time was a lot more exciting because I got to see some procedures I have never seen before. When I got there I suited up and watched another routine cleaning, but after I got to see Gail and the dentist make a mouth guard to people with sleep apnea and snoring issues. I knew I should have brought the camera along with, but I forgot.

I was disappointed that I had to leave right before they did a drilling procedure with a lady's dentures. I thought that would have been interesting to see. I asked Gail if there would be some more hands on things I could do while I was there to get more pictures and experience. There are a lot of regulations against it, but she said if I came after school when more kids were there I could assist her more. I'm hoping we can set up another date like that or maybe even a full day.

Last week, we had an update to check our progress. I updated my time log and my cost analysis. I don't think this project will cost me a whole lot. Just around $30 and most of it goes towards printing costs and my expo presentation in March. I've logged around 5 hours so far. I think in January, I'll start picking up the pace with going to the dentist regularly. Once I start working on my final product I think that will take up a lot of time too. I'm beginning to not be too worried about my project. Starting was definitely the hardest part.

Finally Got the Ball Rolling

Alright, I have finally started my senior project. Yesterday, November 21st, I went to shadow my mentor at the dentist office. I was there for about an hour and a half, but I got there at the end of one appointment and then I left during the very beginning of the second appointment. There wasn't much to the appointments, but in between Gail was able to show me how things run at the office.

I learned about the different rooms and their light system to show where people are needed and when their appointments arrive. She also showed me how she sets up all of her tools. Then she showed me where they store all their items in the cabinets. I also got to see the basement/lounge/eating area. Then I got to get their laundry out of the dryer and put it up for them to use the next day.

All in all I think it was a pretty productive first day. At least I got the ball rolling and I've started. I hope that I'll be able to make another appointment to go in next week.

Down to the Last Second

The deadline is two days away and I finally got my letter of intent handed in and both my mentors are picked out! I chose Mr. Gudmundson to be my faculty mentor. He is a health teacher at Deuel, so I figured he was the closest I could get to a dental assistant. I also chose Gail Toft from the Clear Lake Dentist Office for my community mentor. It took me long enough to get ahold of her, but I finally did it!

After getting my mentors, finishing my letter of intent was easy breezy. I really hope it gets accepted though, I think I have a really good idea. I'm hoping to shadow at the dentist office and learn more about dental hygiene. After all I've learned, I want to do something with the elementary school students about dental health. My research paper is going to be about gum disease, to tie into the project as a whole. I definitely feel like a little weight is lifted off my shoulders now, and now I can just work, work, work!

My Final Answer

Talk about coming out of an oblivion! Nothing like starting school to give you a little kick in the buttocks to get moving! I finally have settled my mind on an idea and I'm sticking to it for here on out! I've been able to talk to teachers and get more ideas so it was a lot easier to make a decision.

I don't want to give away all my secrets (insert evil laugh here), but it's still in the area of dental assisting. I have a project idea and one for my research paper too! I know who my mentors are, so now all that's left is getting the final OK from the committee. I really wish I would have worked on this during the summer to get ahead of the game. I can already tell I'll need to get down to business a lot more this year.

I was completely unprepared to come back to school this week. I feel like I dropped off the Earth (summer) onto Mars (school). Good analogy right? Hopefully when things get into a routine it won't be too hard to adjust. Definitely not praying for summer this year. Graduation could hold off as long as it wants.

Stay tuned!

Changed My Mind...Again!

Talk about failing at life! School starts in less than a week, but I already feel twenty miles behind on my project. I finally think, though, that I've found a topic I can stick with and I can go with for the other portions of the project. I've decided on Dental Assisting. I think that occupation is way off base for me considering I would never love to stick my hands in people's teeth for a living.

I haven't completely figured out my paper or project, but I have thought of some pretty decent ideas. For anyone following, hopefully now that I have myself in gear I can keep the blog updated a little more. Who knows, maybe I could fall in love with a totally different idea tomorrow. But I hope not!

Summer Fever

Wow, I'm already half way into June and still have yet to decide a topic! It hasn't even crossed my mind between work and barely any free time. Now it's all catching up to me and I need to get my butt in gear. I'm 100% sure I've landed on a Hospitality Management theme, all I have to do now is figure out my project and topic for a research paper. The two hardest parts! AH! I feel so behind since I was set on working on this during the summer break. Hopefully I will be able to get my stuff together and begin talking with mentors to be extra prepared!

I should also keep everyone updated on my blog! There hasn't been a lot to talk about, obviously. Now, I'll be able to write more often. I would also really really appreciate comments and ideas from anyone reading this! Maybe you think a little more out of the box than I do, and I'm always looking for new ideas. Thanks! :)

Dazed and Confused

Well, it's certainly been a long time since I've posted last. I'm kind of coming to a halt with my project plans. I have a little knowledge of what I want to do in the future after college, but this project is really making me wonder. Our topic has to be a stretch, something we've never done or attempted before. But I think what I want to do with my future shouldn't be something out of the ordinary. The whole research paper thing is the hardest part. Maybe someone could give me suggestions about a topic for my paper that goes along with event planning? A little outside help would be great at this point. I have the whole summer to get a head start and I'd like to take advantage of the time.

Tomorrow is also my last day of my junior year of school! I'm so excited but it doesn't even seem real that I'm already a senior. I can still picture my elementary school days like it was just yesterday. Time goes by so fast.

Welcome to the Blog!

Hey everyone reading this! This is my first blog post for my senior experience project, so this is like my first step on the way towards my final product. I'm still very unsure about which topic I'll choose and how I will make that into a research paper and a final product. I figured creating my blog would be a good head start for some motivation. I'm thinking about the area of Hospitality Management since I've been looking into that as my college major.

I made this blog for my journal and log for my project. I'm not much of a writer and I've recently been introduced to the world of blogging. My next task would be picking my topic and mentors. I need those two things to write my letter of intent. I'm lucky though because we're way ahead of the game by starting during the summertime. I hope you can keep posted on my progress as the year flies by. I'll keep you updated with pictures and more information as my project plays out!