First Classes = Complete

Another year has passed by where I can say I completed my first day of classes.  It is amazing to be back on campus, and overall I am very excited about the classes that I am taking.  I was very impressed when I walked into my Computer Science class Tuesday morning, and both of the Professors were standing right inside the door.  Immediately, they said hello, introduced themselves, and asked for my name, school, and year.  No, it was not unusual that they asked what school I went to, as I attend a consortium.  In addition, they had the class take selfies and write our names down.  All in all, classes are off to a good start.

I am giving a presentation on Friday about my summer research, and met with my lab Professor today to work out the kinks.  In fact, her research students were invited to a microbiology conference to present their work and she believes that I might be the best candidate!  It is very exciting to have many opportunities where I can share my research, and excitement; it is a great feeling to have a Professor believe in you.

Moved In

Am I a senior yet?  Has senior year technically started because I have moved in, or does it start tomorrow because that is when classes start.  I can see how one may view these questions as ludicrous, but in the eyes of my peers and myself, it is a question we are asking.  The start of senior year leaves us all with mixed feelings.  OMG, we're seniors?  Already?  How has town flown so fast?  What do you mean I am going to be in the "real world" soon?  You mean I have to find my own job?  Oh no…senior thesis….

It seems like just yesterday that I moved in for Freshman year, and we were all so excited.  College is a time for us to find ourselves, and to experiment with classes, majors, and career ideas.  For my whole college career I have known that I wanted to go into the sciences, however, I had wanted to incorporate economics into that plan.  Until I took my first economics class, then I just wanted to be in the sciences.
On the other hand, I discovered an area of interest that I never even knew existed before: feminism and science, and the underrepresentation of women in the sciences.  I discovered this subject area Sophomore year while fulfilling one of my general education requirements.  It is amazing what you can learn, and how much you can expand your knowledge, by having an open mind and trying out new classes (even when they are required).

As I am getting ready to start my last year, and to go out into the real world, I am grateful for the opportunity that I have been giving.  The opportunity of going to a small Liberal Arts College.

Here is to an amazing senior year!  Party on :)

P.S.  Here is a picture of my room.

About to Move In

Hello Everyone!

Sorry I have been MIA the past few weeks.  I have been taking a break from school, thesis, and the GRE's to spend time with my family.  It's been fantastic.  Before I go into too much detail about my life, I would like to let you know that I have taken the GRE's and do not plan on re-taking them.  It is a huge relief to have finished that chapter of my life.

My life the last few weeks has consisted of a trip with the family, including Cheryll (our dog), to Santa Barbara.  It allowed us a chance to reconnect for the first time as a family since winter break, and allowed all of us to have the time we needed to relax.  I am grateful to have been able to spend my days sitting outside at the pool.  It's too bad I got sunburned on the first day though…

Since then, I have been relaxing at home.  I took a few "risks" in the last two weeks, and went Jet Skiing with my crazy (all be it loving…) brother, and kayaking with 12' waves around.  Jet Skiing was exhilarating, flying through the ocean at up to 52 mph.  While that may not sound fast, it is hard to hold on when you are clutching your brothers life jacket and riding over the bumps of the waves.  Needless to say, I am very surprised I was not thrown off.  Kayaking was great because we got to see dolphins and sea lions; two creatures that you do not get to see close up everyday.

In 36 hours I will be moving into my dorm room with four of my friends for SENIOR YEAR!!  It feels so surreal; none of us can actually believe it.  This is the first year where I am solely excited, not anxious, not nervous, just excited.  I have no idea what senior year is going to hold for me, but I know that my first semester will be extremely time-consuming.  I am taking Computer Science, Biostats, and Cell Biology in addition to completing my thesis.  Computer Science and Biostats have two hour labs, Cell Biology has a four hour lab, and thesis is 12 hours in lab.  In addition, I run the Jewish Mentor Program, am a manager of Challah for Hunger, tutor, and am going to TA Molecular Biology.  That's all in addition to applying for grad school.  If you think I have bitten off more than I can chew, than you are probably right.  However, I am ecstatic for all of the above.  It is going to be a amazing, especially with all of my friends back on campus, finally, from study abroad.

I want to thank all of you in advance, especially my loving parents, for helping me through the next semester, as well as helping me get this far in my life.  This is not the life path I would have seen for myself, trying to earn a Ph.D. in Molecular/ Developmental/ Stem Cell Biology, but it is absolutely the right career path for me.