Every time I go to the dentist for some major work, I feel this deep sense of guilt toward my teeth. Today, I just got my 3rd root canal-yes, 3rd, I have horrible teeth luck. It’s luck because it is not entirely my fault that my teeth are all jacked up- started by a new endodonist. As he was drilling through my #14, aside from my intense fear of pain and the sound of drilling, my head and heart were filled with guilt and apologies to my already half-dead tooth.
Like I said, I’m not completely at fault for the poor fate of most of my teeth, cuz since I realized they were in trouble 10 years ago, I’ve been taking great care of them, brushing, flossing, everything.. Unfortunately, their fate were pre-determined much earlier when one of my terrible TERRIBLE dentists filled my teeth without thoroughly removing all of the cavities. Shame!!!!
Anyhow, the moral of this post is, if you can help it, find a good dentist, take care of your teeth, otherwise, the guilt will always live inside you and your your teeth… 
Guilt May 28, 2008
Clean, Convenient, Affordable Hotel in Shanghai May 12, 2008
Since I grew up in China and still travel there quite a bit even after I moved to the US, everyone likes to ask me for tips on food, drink, play, shop, stay, etc., etc….
Shanghai is one of my, and many others’, favorite modern cities in China, but of course, in this city, everything tends to be more expensive than else where in China. Staying in hotels can definitely take up a huge portion of the cost to visiting Shanghai, but fortunately, there are other alternatives to expensive 5-star hotels that are clean, cozy and most importantly affordable.
Green Tree Inn is one such chain. This is a business hotel type of place. It has a few locations throughout Shanghai. While it has no luxurious grand lobby, and the service at the front desk is at best mediocre, the rooms (at least the ones at the 661 Wuding Lu location) are clean and comfortable. And for the price of 294RMB (~$42) per night, you really can’t complain!
* Of course the standard free internet and breakfast are included in the rate.
