2005 vs. 2011

Two birthday photos.  One from 2005, the other from 2011.  I'm so happy I did it.


Each birthday is a good opportunity to look back and look ahead.  Never do anything out of fear.  Never avoid anything out of fear.  Never say never.


Love you all!  Be well.

Miserable & Hopeful

Why is it that what's good for you doesn't always feel good? Sigh. Detoxing and learning to crave good things. Feeling miserable and hopeful at the same time.

Note from a Nomad

Yes! I'm finally in my element. A vodka martini, and burger washed
down with some Norwegian beer. Perfect. The lustre of travel is in
doing things you know you won't likely get a chance to again. That's
why I love it. Do it, live it just once. But with abandon - and with
all your heart.

Sent from my iPhone

Trip Next Week!

For those of you who have been reading my blog since the early days - you might recall that I had wanted to visit Norway. Well, it's about to happen.

Next Thursday I'll be flying out to Stockholm and starting my 19-day vacation in Scandinavia. Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. Not the best time of the year to visit, of course, but I'm excited!

Tourist tips much appreciated.

Free Will: Happiness and the Foundations of Morality

Hi Ruby

Hi Ruby, thanks for the kind note. Frankly, it surprised me that anyone would even read this particular post, let alone comment on it. I really appreciate it.

Sorry your surgery was delayed. I hope they find a suitable date soon. As far as nerves - think positive thoughts, and relinquish control. Sure it's scary to go under the knife. But stressing out doesn't help. I remember before my surgery a colleague of mine asked - "Aren't you nervous?". I said - "No - all I have to do is pass out. I think if anyone, my SURGEON should be nervous!" :)

All jokes aside, I hope everything goes well for you. All this will become a distant memory in the near future. Trust me.

Along Came Charlie

I was - am - heartbroken.

Highly functional by day, and highly dysfunctional by night, I didn't want to go home after work. Didn't want to be home alone, drowning in tears and dark thoughts. Smoking cigarettes and sipping Scotch. Struggling to forget when it hurts to remember. - To no avail.

Then in my occasional, 2-year-long search for a canine companion, I found Charlie. A fully grown, 1-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Beagle mix who weighs 25 lbs. He needed a loving home and I needed affection. Perfect win-win situation.

As with any commitment, a lot of work is required. But I'm ready - and actually looking forward to it. Training classes, walks on the beach, sunny afternoons in the park, etc. Perhaps commitment breeds love - I don't know.

A friend of mine just wished me "Maitri & Karuna" on Facebook.

Maitri = friendliness, pleasantness, lovingness
Karuna = compassion, mercy

How very kind of him. Now - let the healing begin.

23 Vs. 33

I just had my 33rd birthday this weekend.

For those of you who are considering jaw surgery - but hesitating because you think you might be too old - you're NEVER too old.

The picture on the right was taken when I was 23. The picture on the left was taken on my 33rd birthday, just a couple of days ago.

I'm so glad I decided to get braces at age 30 and subsequently undergo jaw surgery. I'm not advocating doing it for purely cosmetic reasons. But, if there are cosmetic benefits in addition to medical ones - then why not?

Random Things I've Learned

1. Don't be a narcissist, but love yourself.
2. Think positive.
3. Keep an open mind.
4. Be kind.
   
5. See as much of the world as possible. Travel.
6. Have class.
7. Vocalize praise and appreciation.
   
8. Stay curious.
9. Take interest in things other than just yourself.
10. Create win-win situations. Don't build your happiness upon someone else's misery, nor their happiness yours. Neither would be justified or sustainable.
    

Hey Emily

Sorry it took me so long to get get back to you, Emily, but here you go:

Q: How long was your recovery?
A: Define recovery. I took 5 weeks off post-surgery.

Q: Were people amazed by the change after the swelling had gone done? I kind of want a total transformation because my underbite is very apparent; will the change be totally different? (I'll send you photos).
A: "Amazed"? Maybe not. Mostly people tell me I look younger and my face is rounder. I'm the only person I wanted to "amaze" - and quite frankly, I'm very happy with the results.

Q: What was the most difficult part of recovery?
A: Breathing problems. See http://bracemyself.blogspot.com/2007/02/breathing-through-wet-sponge.html.

Q: My upper jaw is really flat and concave, but they haven't brought up the fact that I need it shortened and advanced a little, should I insist for the best results? I am also, having my jaw set back.
A: Consult your surgeon. I can't give you any professional opinions.

Q: Was there any permanent numbness upper or lower? Any paralysis?
A: About a third of my lower lip still feels somewhat numb, but it's not enough to bother me.

New Year's Resolution

Did you make a New Year's resolution?

 

I didn't.  Haven't in a long time.  But I want to, even at the risk of failing flat on my face.  So here it goes:

1. Be more patient.
2. Take a photography class. 
3. Quit sugar.

Now, #2 and 3 are easy to measure.  Either I did it or I didn't.  But #1?  How can I keep track of that?

 

Response to Mae

Hi there Mae! Thanks for the comment. Nope I didn't have a nose job. The change happened naturally as I had both the upper and the lower jaw surgery. Have you talked to your surgeon about what sort of changes to expect?

I'm going to be completely offline for two weeks, traveling in Ireland. Leave a comment here if any other questions come up, and I'll be happy to respond when I return. Good luck!

Vanity Fair's Proust Questionnaire

The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature. Here is the basic Proust Questionnaire, courtsey of Vanity Fair.

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
5. Which living person do you most admire?
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
7. What is your current state of mind?
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
9. On what occasion do you lie?
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
11. Which living person do you most despise?
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
16. When and where were you happiest?
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
21. Where would you most like to live?
22. What is your most treasured possession?
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
24. What is your favorite occupation?
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
26. What do you most value in your friends?
27. Who are your favorite writers?
28. Who is your hero of fiction?
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
30. Who are your heroes in real life?
31. What are your favorite names?
32. What is it that you most dislike?
33. What is your greatest regret?
34. How would you like to die?
35. What is your motto?

Wanna see how some celebrities answered these? Go to VF's archive.

Response to Bailey

Hey Bailey, surgery coming up on the 3rd? Exciting!!

I'm not sure I have much to say in response to your questions.

For instance, did my "lips thin out"? Um, no. If anything, they're fuller. Honestly my surgeon never mentioned them. I don't see much difference, and certainly NOT for the WORSE.

3 mm upper jaw advancement. Hmm. I believe mine was advanced 2 mm. Needless to say, everyone's case is different. Did it make my face shorter? Hell yeah. That combined with my lower jaw surgery - shortened my face by a whopping 9 mm.

Being able to close your lips without a conscious effort would be a good thing, don't you think? Has your surgeon indicated which option he favors?

The best thing I can share with you is this: relax. Trust that everything will go just as planned, and that you'll be THRILLED with the results. I recall being rolled into the operating room, scooting over onto the operating table, and passing out promptly, the instant my head hit the table (or maybe even before!). When I came to, it was all done! Voila! Nothing to it.

Oh - and eat what you enjoy while you still can. You'll be very hungry for the next few weeks. ;)

Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

Nose and Cheekbones

Hi Susan - thanks for leaving a comment on my blog.

Q: "I am writing you again because your comment on this thread about Dr. Li saying your nose would be wider was intriguing. I'm guessing that the composite photo pre-op wasn't able to show you this?"

A: No, it wasn't. The composite was only of my profile.

Q: "I'm concerned about how upper jaw advancement will change the look of my cheeks and nose from the front view, not just profile. Did you find that his prediction turned out to be accurate? It's hard to tell from the photos you've posted - your hair is different and there's swelling that makes it hard to compare - but would be great to get your personal take on the nose / cheek changes."

A: Yes, Dr. Li's prediction did turn out to be accurate. My nose has become slightly wider. See photo above showing day of brace installation vs. now. But I suspect I'm the only one that notices. Trust me, no one else stares at my face as much. LOL. I don't dislike the change, however, and quite frankly, I don't think much about it at all. Why? Because I believe it's not about any single feature. It's about proportions and balance. It's about adjusting what was misaligned/malfunctioning to make it function optimally, and as a by-product, make the features look more balanced. Does that make sense?

Now, about the cheekbones. Mine are slightly higher now. My favorite pair of sunglasses leave a slight indentation on my cheeks now while they never did before. That's the ONLY give-away.

Overall I think the thing you'll notice the most in the long run is that your facial features are more balanced and harmonious. For instance, in my case, I used to feel very self-conscious about my long and prominent chin. I felt like Jay Leno. Now when I see photos of myself I don't see any single feature jumping out at me.... they all kinda blend in and play well together.

Talk to your surgeon if any other questions nag at you. They've heard them all and will most likely have answers that would help put your mind at ease. Good luck! :)

Happy Findings of A Nomad

• Old book stores with the soothing, intoxicating smell of yellowed pages.
• Gray-haired, graceful old couples arm in arm at the symphony.
• Watermelon on a hot summer day.  Guilt-free indulgence.
• Manolos on sale at Barneys.  Guilty indulgence.
• Loving my own solitude. 
• Catching his eye from across the room, and the quiet smile.
• Seeing a city for the first time.  Assuming it's a city worthwhile.
• My cynicism occasionally proven wrong.
• Being aware of the difference between my ego and my inner core.
• An enduring friendship that distance and time cannot fade.

Wanderlust

Coldplay's tour destinations read like my travel wish list. Though it'd require me to double back to countries (but not cities) I've already visited. Oh the wanderlust.

02/08/08: Hartford, CT
03/08/08: Washington, DC
04/08/08: Boston, MA
09/08/08: Osaka
10/08/08: Tokyo (check)
01/09/08: Strasbourg
02/09/08: Mannheim
04/09/08: Lyon
06/09/08: Barcelona (but NOT in the summer!)
07/09/08: Madrid (check)
09/09/08: Paris (Check, check, check. What's the hype about Paris anyway? It doesn't even make my top 3.)
10/09/08: Paris
12/09/08: Cologne
14/09/08: Hamburg
15/09/08: Berlin (check)
17/09/08: Stockholm
18/09/08: Stockholm
19/09/08: Oslo (for sure, in 2010.)
22/09/08: Prague (A little too Eastern European - I know it's not PC - but freedom of speech!)
23/09/08: Budapest (I hear it's beautiful)
24/09/08: Vienna (almost went last year, but ran out of time)
26/09/08: Munich

Later this year I'm going to Ireland, and perhaps Scotland. Next year will be an all Asian fare: my best guy friend's wedding in Taipei, then adding Vietnam to the itinerary. 2010? Hopefully any and all of the following: Vienna, Oslo, and Stockholm.

Composite Image

Question: Hey Kristen! Random question, I found your blog because you had jaw surgery. I was wondering did your surgeon give you a composite image before surgery? I found someone who doesn't want to do a composite image, and I'm wondering how commonly people get them, and if you think I should ask for one, or if I don't need one.

Answer: Yes, I did ask for a composite image (before/after profiles) prior to even getting the braces. My surgeon and orthodontist worked on the projection together. They provided two computer sketches that outlined how I would probably look after the surgery. In retrospect, it gave me a good ballpark idea, but the final results, if I say so myself, were even better.

I don't know if patients normally ask for a composite image. But my surgeon and ortho didn't seem surprised that I wanted one. Quite frankly, I'd have reservations about any doctor who wouldn't provide an estimate, and I would definitely ask him/her why. Another way to ensure you pick the right doctor? Ask to see the before/after photos of previous patients. They should have some on record who have consented to share those photos. My 2 cents.

Who Knew?

A 19-year-old Jude Law had a minor role in an episode of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, starring the late, great Jeremy Brett.

Surprise!

Once in a while life throws you a curve ball....

• A few years ago I dated a UC Berkeley graduate. I met him and his brother at a pizza joint in Berkeley for lunch. On my way in, a homeless guy stopped me right outside the restaurant and asked for money. I didn't have any change but said I would give him some on my way out. So as we finished our meals, I started rummaging through my wallet for change. My then boyfriend asked me why, and I told him about the homeless guy.
  
  "Don't give him money," he said, "he's only going to use it to buy beer or drugs."
  
  "How do YOU know? You can't automatically assume that," I argued.
  
  His brother stepped in and said - "How about you get him a slice of pizza instead?"
  
  I thought it was a good idea and proceeded to the counter to get a slice of pepperoni pizza - when my boyfriend stopped me and said - "get the vegetarian instead." "Why? Everyone loves pepperoni!" "No, trust me on this. Just get the vegetarian."
  
  I did, and we walked out - to find the same homeless guy still right at the door. I handed him the slice wrapped in foil. But he took a step back and said - "It's not pepperoni, is it? I'm a vegetarian."
  
  
• My friend Mark went on a 10-day vacation in Egypt last March. He booked it through a travel agency, who promised stays at 5-star hotels. When he returned, he told me that yes, they stayed at 5-star hotels alright, but hotels in Egypt are on a 10-star scale! :D