T Diddy :: Your Friendly Black Dentist

In case you thought I was joking, on the way downtown today, I saw La Banda Poncho Villa. "Voy a pasar por la pueeeeertaaaa!" They were jamming and I almost bursted out in laughs because I just wrote about them. Then on the way back home, I ran into my woman friend who has not food to feed her childs. She threw in another line this time. "They don't deserve it!" Lady, you are right. And I don't deserve to here your damn begging. Now get off the train and go get a job. Damn!!!

This entire year has been dedicated to being accepted to Dental School. This past Thursday marked a major milestone in my path. I have been in Community College since January taking required classes for my application. These classes included Organic Chemistry and Biology. In addition to these classes, I had to relearn Chemistry. I have not touched chemistry since 1993, my first year of undergrad (sounding like a grad student already although I am in Community College). Yes, these classes are needed to just get accepted into school, but the knowledge is even more important for the Dental Admission Test (DAT). The DAT is just like the MCAT or SAT for medical school or regular college respectively. The DAT tests your knowledge in Biology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Math, Reading Comprehension and you ability to see shapes in 3-D. This test is just as important as the LSAT or MCAT. The score makes you or breaks you. The difference between 90th percentile and 85th percentile is Harvard and Case Western University. I needed a great score to help my application.
Knowing the importance of this test, I decided to forfeit my summer. Since the middle of July, after I finished summer school, I began to study for the DAT. My study plan had to include teaching myself the 2nd half of Organic Chemistry. I am only now enrolled in this class. I also enrolled into Kaplan. This proved useful as I was exposed to different types of actual questions. I studied for an average of 8 hours/day for this test. I took multiple practice tests and bought many supplemental books. When I would go to Salsa lessons, I would study flashcards on the subway and walking to class. I was obsessed and focused. I had a goal and I was not going to let this test get in my way. However, I was a slave for nearly 2 months to Hess' Law.
This past Thursday was I was finally emancipated. I took the test with my goals in mind. That morning I woke up, went for a run to calm the nerves and prepare the mind for this exam. I was cool, calm, collected and confident. After 4.5 hours, the test was over and it was time for me to push the button to get my scores. I felt confident in my work, but there were some questions that I just did not know if my reasoning was correct. After a little prayer, I hit S and Bam!!! There were my scores. I did not even read them completely before I let out a silent "Yeeeesssssssssss!" My arms were raised like the Real Deal Holyfield in his prime and I began to sweat. I was so excited. I absolutely killed the exam. In fact, I might be indicted for murder. I not only surpassed my goals for the exam, but all the averages for the schools that I applied to. I finally knew that my application would have to be taken seriously. I was set free. Being free has never felt so good.

I have mentioned this many times, but Salsa is fantastic. This is not new if you know me. However, it is even better now. The differenc between now and then is that I can actually go out to bars and clubs now and actually hold my own. I am no longer that guy on the wall affraid to dance because the fools on the dance floor are ripping it up. I am actually one of the guys on the dance floor making these fools not dance. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn with leading correctly, but I am out there making the girls look at me. Salsa is one definitely a dance you must practice over and over to make is smooth. This is the key. You have to make it smooth. I know a lot of moves and the dance is slowing down to me even though if you saw me, you would think I am moving fast. It is kind of like the zone in hoops. Everything seems to slow down.

I went out last night doing my thing and tonight I will do the same. I will keep this up until I make it smooth. I will not stop there. I will continue until I have more moves in the pockets. Salsa is more than a dance. It is a way of life. And I love it.