AlenaD

I spent my senior year of high school as an exchange student near Lille. I learned to speach French like the natives and even got rid of my American accent, which I thought was very cool. The most important factor in contributing to my fluency was the unavailability of English speakers during that time. I was essentially forced to learn and speak French all day, every day, because there was no one to speak English to.

I know it can be intimidating, especially if you don’t feel confident at your skill level, but in my experience, the best way to learn (and be more confident) is to practice speaking it with others. If you’re not able to go to an only French-speaking place, join a conversational French group or class.. but make sure everyone agrees on as little English as possible! :)

I had all four of mine pulled at once when I was 17. I asked for general anesthesia because I couldn’t deal with being awake the whole time. I was totally knocked out, they had to wake me up and help me walk to the recovery bed, where I fell back asleep until my mom came to get me.

What I remember is being stoned on Vicodin for several days.. I could barely open my mouth for days, it hurt, and on top of it, the wounds weren’t healing properly so I had to go back. They stuffed some clove oil-soaked gauze in the holes to prevent infection (tastes nasty, if you’re wondering).

It’s not a fun experience, I grant you that, but I marked this ‘worth doing’ because the alternative (i.e. chronic jaw pain, impaction) would be way less worth doing. ;)

I have quit so many times that I know I can do it. The last time could have (and should have) been the last.. I didn’t even really want a cigarette, but for some stupid reason, I went to buy a pack anyway.

I need to just do it. I’m terrified of getting cancer, I hate the way I reek of stale cigarettes, I have a smoker’s cough.. And yet, it’s so hard.