California RDA practical exam
Last week I took the RDA practical exam at UCSF. This is a step towards me becoming a registered dental assistant. So what happens after application? I waited for almost 1 and 1/2 month before I got my practical and written exam instructions in the mail. In the instruction paper, it’ll tell the date, place and type/nature of the exam.
TV show comebacks
The TV couch potato has reared its head…or spud…once again. A lot of my favorite shows are coming up with new episodes. I’ve researched their season premiere so that I can put it here and not forget the date.
Gossip Girl – March 8, 9/8pm at CW
America’s Next Top Model – March 10, 8/7pm at CW
Dancing with the Stars – March 22, 8/7pm at ABC
Glee – April 13, 9/8 at Fox
Stay tuned!
Who’s who in Dancing with the Stars this season
Come March or April, I’ll become a couch potato again. A lot of my favorite TV shows are coming back for new season/episodes: Glee, Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model, Dancing with the Stars, etc. Added to those shows but currently I’m watching Grey’s Anatomy, Project Runway, Marriage Ref, and American Idol. I’m TV show-overloaded!!! It’s a good thing there’s TV recording or else I will break our remote control jumping from one channel to another.
This year’s Dancing with the Stars will have a fantastic lineup. They have famous celebrities in store for season 10. To name with their pro partners:
Winter Melon soup: food for the soul
What’s in a winter melon? As post-script to the winter olympics, I decided to blog about this intriguing vegetable. I tried cooking this dish when my grandmother served this soup to us. She said that she imitated the recipe from a Chinese restaurant. The soup was simple, delicious and high in nutritional value. It was perfect when you’re sick or when the weather is so cold.
Winter melon is a variety from the family of melon (of course). Its other names are ash gourd or wax gourdWe are familiar with watermelon and cantaloupes which are great summer fruits. Melons in general (applies to winter melon) are rich in potassium and vitamin C. They are fat/cholesterol free and its high water content aids in proper digestive and elimination process. Recent study show that they contain Superoxide Dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme which helps relieve people of stress and fatigue. The SOD also helps against cell damage which can reduce skin aging. Other mineral contents are calcium, phosphorus, thiamine, iron, riboflavin and niacin.
In addition to the benefits, this winter melon soup recipe is a perfect comfort food for the soul. Move over chicken noodle soup.
How to apply for RDA in California
In my attempt to improve my career path, I took on the exam for RDA. A lot of dental offices are hiring registered dental assistants more than a non-registered one. I have never had schooling in dental assisting except I have a background and diploma in Dentistry. My first job in a dental clinic helped me learn a lot about dental assisting. When I left that job and finished my schooling, I returned to the job hunt having difficulty finding one because I was not licensed/registered DA. Though I am blessed with good jobs right now, I decided to get myself licensed just to get that out of the way and so that nobody will question my credibility. Because you see, foreign training/graduate don’t mean a thing here.
California has the most complicated and strictest laws/policies when it comes to professional jobs. A lot of jobs need certification and those certification doesn’t come easy. Further training and classes are needed first before you can apply for examination to certification. And of course money is needed to get that license. But the good thing is with certification, you get a higher income. For an RDA the salary range in the Peninsula Bay Area is at around 18-25/hr.
For RDA, the authority for California RDA and dentists is the Dental Board of California. To be eligible for the RDA examination, here are the criteria:
- Graduate from a Board-approved RDA educational program of a minimum of 720 hours (approximately 8 months); or
- Complete at least 15 months of satisfactory (1,560 Hours) paid work experience as a dental assistant with a dentist licensed in one of the states in the United States; or
- Complete a California Department of Education approved 4-month educational program, and 11 months of work experience with a dentist(s) licensed in one of the states of the United States.
So Easy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
The idea started with a leftover sour cream. I bought a pint of sour cream to put in a guacamole dip I made. I only used a little amount leaving me with a lot of leftover. So I came up with Banana chocolate chip muffins when I saw that sour cream is one of its ingredients. And thanks to my parents, they bought me a mint condition stand mixer from one of their estate sale spree.
BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
Yields: 16 muffins
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup flour
Who is Kim Yu-Na?
For those of you who watch the Vancouver Winter Olympics, you are introduced to the possible gold medalist for Olympic Women Figure Skating. Kim Yu-Na is a renowned Korean figure skater and the reigning world champion. For the Koreans, she’s a big celebrity because her talent in the figure skating world brought South Korea fame. Koreans bestowed her the title, Queen Yun-Na.
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