I'm still in a pretty epic state of denial about classes starting. I had all of mine today, minus my labs. I just have to keep telling myself I wanted to be a double major. :-P I think part of my problem is that in the beginning I don't internalize that my schedule is drastically different day to day, and that my ridiculous class load is not the same tomorrow. Once I get that into my head, which will hopefully be soon, I will have a much easier time of it all.
All of my classes seem good so far, which may bode well for the rest of the semester. My tutoring gigs all look promising, which makes me happy. :-)
All in all, a good start to my first real semester as a double major. I'm happy with how everything is going, and I am glad I have the opportunity to take advantage of so many great things.
Oh! I get to give my REU presentation at Science Seminar on Friday. I am doubly pumped to be able to bring back the work I did and show everyone what I learned. The good experiences just keep on coming. :-D
Currently reading: The Hundred Secret Senses and probably some poetry for my French class. Baudelaire to be specific. I'm excited. I can't say that enough.
Listening to: "A Perfectly Good Heart" by Taylor Swift. "Why would you wanna break a perfectly good heart?"
- Rachel
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
I know you'd rather we were dancing...
And now, I'm glad I didn't know
the way it all would end,
the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance.
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd have had to miss the dance.
- Garth Brooks, "The Dance"
I know I usually close with a song lyric, and I will close this post with another, but I have been so struck lately (as in tonight) by the truth of this refrain. Allow me to tell you a story.
Three years ago, I was beginning my senior year in high school, taking AP Physics. Columbia High School Physics has never been known to be great, and this year was no exception. I was expecting very little, and indeed, that is what I got. I don't think I could have expected all that much more without being disappointed, but I do think I could have been more positive about the whole thing. Alas, I made it through the class, extremely excited on the last day that I was DONE. Then I came to college.
As a Chemistry major, Physics was required - two semesters. I started with it immediately because I already had the calculus credit from high school, and I honestly just wanted it over with. And so my dance began. In a whirlwind of a first semester, I dropped my education certification in favor of the ability to be in the honors program and potentially complete a Physics minor. By the middle of last semester, I had declared a double major. I don't think I can explain how incredible Le Moyne has been in helping me get to a place that I love.
This year begins my junior year. One of the things I always remember my high school teacher saying was that once you got to third level physics, there aren't any numbers anymore. I will wave goodbye to them, I suppose.
I could have skipped high school physics all together. I probably still would have been a Chemistry major, and I would probably still have come to Le Moyne. Which means I would have still taken the same Physics. I can't say that I would have had such a dance if I hadn't know what it was to feel that pain.
I have a friend, also named Rachel, who switched her major from Chemistry to Biology, citing that she realized the reasons she thought she liked Chemistry were really the reasons she liked Biology. I am thinking I may have a similar problem. Perhaps the reasons I think I like Chemistry are really the reasons I like Physics? We shall see...
Currently reading: The Hundred Secret Senses. Not much to say...
Listening to: "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something. "You say that we've got nothing in common, no common ground to start from, and we're falling apart...and I said 'What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?'" <3
- Rachel
the way it all would end,
the way it all would go.
Our lives are better left to chance.
I could have missed the pain,
but I'd have had to miss the dance.
- Garth Brooks, "The Dance"
I know I usually close with a song lyric, and I will close this post with another, but I have been so struck lately (as in tonight) by the truth of this refrain. Allow me to tell you a story.
Three years ago, I was beginning my senior year in high school, taking AP Physics. Columbia High School Physics has never been known to be great, and this year was no exception. I was expecting very little, and indeed, that is what I got. I don't think I could have expected all that much more without being disappointed, but I do think I could have been more positive about the whole thing. Alas, I made it through the class, extremely excited on the last day that I was DONE. Then I came to college.
As a Chemistry major, Physics was required - two semesters. I started with it immediately because I already had the calculus credit from high school, and I honestly just wanted it over with. And so my dance began. In a whirlwind of a first semester, I dropped my education certification in favor of the ability to be in the honors program and potentially complete a Physics minor. By the middle of last semester, I had declared a double major. I don't think I can explain how incredible Le Moyne has been in helping me get to a place that I love.
This year begins my junior year. One of the things I always remember my high school teacher saying was that once you got to third level physics, there aren't any numbers anymore. I will wave goodbye to them, I suppose.
I could have skipped high school physics all together. I probably still would have been a Chemistry major, and I would probably still have come to Le Moyne. Which means I would have still taken the same Physics. I can't say that I would have had such a dance if I hadn't know what it was to feel that pain.
I have a friend, also named Rachel, who switched her major from Chemistry to Biology, citing that she realized the reasons she thought she liked Chemistry were really the reasons she liked Biology. I am thinking I may have a similar problem. Perhaps the reasons I think I like Chemistry are really the reasons I like Physics? We shall see...
Currently reading: The Hundred Secret Senses. Not much to say...
Listening to: "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something. "You say that we've got nothing in common, no common ground to start from, and we're falling apart...and I said 'What about Breakfast at Tiffany's?'" <3
- Rachel
Friday, August 28, 2009
Divine punchlines take a little time, but I'm getting it.
Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since my last post; I have been quite busy with my life in the "in between." I am now safely settled into Le Moyne, and excited to see the rest of my friends that have yet to arrive. (Even my number one fan!)
A lot has been going on; before I got back to LMC, I went kayaking with Kara at Pyramid Life Center. It was a great, albeit long, day, and well worth the trip. The epic day closed with homemade banana splits and Gilmore Girls, so it was marked down as a success in our books.
Now that I am back at Le Moyne, I was finally able to hang out with Erin's new baby, Ella. She is now three months old, and absolutely adorable. We went to the mall, the three of us, and while I was carrying Ella, we ran into a woman who I am pretty sure insinuated that I was the mother of Ella, and Erin was the grandmother. Don't get me wrong, I love babies and plan to have my own down the line, but I did not want to be pinned as a teenage mother type. It's NOT me!!!
Still simmering on all sorts of things, who I want to be, who I should be, who I am supposed to be. Believe me, those three aren't always the same people. That's my problem.
Currently reading: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. Interesting. Good. Got to finish it before classes on Monday. Even though I am still in hardcore denial about the whole school starting thing.
Listening to: "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" by the Dixie Chicks. "God hears Amen wherever we are..." <3
- Rachel
A lot has been going on; before I got back to LMC, I went kayaking with Kara at Pyramid Life Center. It was a great, albeit long, day, and well worth the trip. The epic day closed with homemade banana splits and Gilmore Girls, so it was marked down as a success in our books.
Now that I am back at Le Moyne, I was finally able to hang out with Erin's new baby, Ella. She is now three months old, and absolutely adorable. We went to the mall, the three of us, and while I was carrying Ella, we ran into a woman who I am pretty sure insinuated that I was the mother of Ella, and Erin was the grandmother. Don't get me wrong, I love babies and plan to have my own down the line, but I did not want to be pinned as a teenage mother type. It's NOT me!!!
Still simmering on all sorts of things, who I want to be, who I should be, who I am supposed to be. Believe me, those three aren't always the same people. That's my problem.
Currently reading: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. Interesting. Good. Got to finish it before classes on Monday. Even though I am still in hardcore denial about the whole school starting thing.
Listening to: "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" by the Dixie Chicks. "God hears Amen wherever we are..." <3
- Rachel
Monday, August 17, 2009
I'll make you banana pancakes, pretend like it's the weekend...
So it's been a few days since I last posted, and an epic few days at that! On Friday, Josh and I left for Norwich, NY, home of a one Nancy. We made chocolate chip pancakes and banana pancakes; they were delicious! It was so good to be in the company of LMC friends. :)
Saturday, we woke up early to leave for Bethlehem, PA, location of the wedding of my high school friend, Brighid. I laughed, cried, and danced the night away, well, until just after 5 pm. We had to leave to get back to Syracuse after a long day. Plus, our epic weekend was not over yet!
Saturday evening, we met a one Adrienne at Denny's for dinner and another mini reunion of the sharkies. :) Josh and I got there first, and when Adrienne arrived, there was a big group hug in the middle of the restaurant. I am certain we scared the few people there, but what can I say? I hadn't seen Adrienne since December.
Now I am just lazing around home for a few days. Tomorrow, the nerds will reunite for another epic day of sandcastle building and various other beach activities. When I say "beach" activities, I mean Grafton State Park. Not the most "beachy" of beaches, but it will do. I am pumped! :)
Currently reading: Life of Pi, and Introduction to Electrodynamics by David Griffiths. I figured I should get going on something. And I actually enjoy reading it! (at least for now...)
Listening to: "Perfect Circle" by Katie Melua. I love her. She is my new obsession. "Even when I'm walking straight, I always end up in a perfect circle." <3
- Rachel
Saturday, we woke up early to leave for Bethlehem, PA, location of the wedding of my high school friend, Brighid. I laughed, cried, and danced the night away, well, until just after 5 pm. We had to leave to get back to Syracuse after a long day. Plus, our epic weekend was not over yet!
Saturday evening, we met a one Adrienne at Denny's for dinner and another mini reunion of the sharkies. :) Josh and I got there first, and when Adrienne arrived, there was a big group hug in the middle of the restaurant. I am certain we scared the few people there, but what can I say? I hadn't seen Adrienne since December.
Now I am just lazing around home for a few days. Tomorrow, the nerds will reunite for another epic day of sandcastle building and various other beach activities. When I say "beach" activities, I mean Grafton State Park. Not the most "beachy" of beaches, but it will do. I am pumped! :)
Currently reading: Life of Pi, and Introduction to Electrodynamics by David Griffiths. I figured I should get going on something. And I actually enjoy reading it! (at least for now...)
Listening to: "Perfect Circle" by Katie Melua. I love her. She is my new obsession. "Even when I'm walking straight, I always end up in a perfect circle." <3
- Rachel
Thursday, August 13, 2009
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast.
Well, I finished my last full day of work today. I only have cleaning and poster presenting to do. This should be a snap, though I can't say that I am all that excited for the poster. It looks nice, but the whole thing just seems like not fun. People can ask you anything they want, and I will have to be able to tell them something. I don't know; it's just not the same as a presentation. We will see.
I'm mostly packed, and all my stuff leaves tomorrow. This will be the last you hear from me for a few days, as I am going to a wedding in PA on Saturday and won't be really home until Sunday. It's the closest thing I will have to a real vacation all summer. I'll take it.
There's really not much to say. I am going to miss everyone so much. It's been a great summer, and I am so grateful. I won't go into great detail like last time, but to the people who got me here (Dr. O'Brien & Dr. Craig, Dr. Doyle, Drs. Ruhlandt & Sponsler), I am so thankful.
Currently reading: Life of Pi. It's really good. I'm going to try and get to Last of the Mohicans next. Or Great Expectations. My French books are probably still in France for all I know. :P
Listening to: "Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root. "I will run, I will. I will cry. Send me on my way, on my way."
- Rachel
I'm mostly packed, and all my stuff leaves tomorrow. This will be the last you hear from me for a few days, as I am going to a wedding in PA on Saturday and won't be really home until Sunday. It's the closest thing I will have to a real vacation all summer. I'll take it.
There's really not much to say. I am going to miss everyone so much. It's been a great summer, and I am so grateful. I won't go into great detail like last time, but to the people who got me here (Dr. O'Brien & Dr. Craig, Dr. Doyle, Drs. Ruhlandt & Sponsler), I am so thankful.
Currently reading: Life of Pi. It's really good. I'm going to try and get to Last of the Mohicans next. Or Great Expectations. My French books are probably still in France for all I know. :P
Listening to: "Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root. "I will run, I will. I will cry. Send me on my way, on my way."
- Rachel
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Let's see how far we've come...
With only one and a half days of work left, I figured it might be appropriate to "see how far we've come." Recap of the summer, if you will. (An aside: Today at tuesday lunch, Amanda used the word recap, and I finally connected it to recapitulation. Yeah, I'm special.)
Here goes:
1. I arrive at SU, inspired but wiped from the week in Philly. I didn't really want to be here, because I was not ready. Or so I thought.
2. I was greeted by my amazing roommate, who was already moved in, and who helped me move in. We became great friends.
3. I began working. I was able to do stoichiometry and run reactions successfuly, a feat. Well, the reaction running part. I didn't think the stoichiometry was such a big deal.
4. I started to feel comfortable being in my lab; yeah, I broke stuff, but I didn't do anything horribly wrong. Just a couple round bottoms.
5. I made a presentation, and I gave the presentation in front of people. It was a turning point for my confidence; instead of saying, "Can I do it?" I was saying, "Yes, I can." It was also an affirmation of path; I knew I was living it right.
6. I fell so much in love with the REU program that I already had a list of new REU programs for next summer to apply to.
7. It wasn't all work and no play; I read many books, made many friends and went on quite a few adventures. Niagara Falls, canoeing, just taking a walk, all of these experiences shaped this summer for me.
8. Through it all, I missed my Sharkies very much, and I wanted badly to go back to Le Moyne. I had no interest in the work, just the people.
9. As my summer comes to a close, I feel incredibly grateful to have had this REU position, these stories to share, these friends to be with. I will miss everyone, but I will take all of this as another brick in my foundation.
10. I feel like I should have an acknowledgement slide, or list, or something. It is to these people, above all, that I am indebted for shaping me:
- My family, my crazy crazy family, who have loved me and supported me in all of my pursuits.
- My friends: Kara D, my Sharkies and all of my Le Moyne people, my Science Olympians, and anyone I have been blessed enough to call friend. I have made it this far because of you.
- All of the teachers that kept me fired up in school, who showed me that I must remain in some sort of Academia, because that's where my passion resides, especially:
- Mrs. Vlieg, who thought I would enjoy Science Olympaid, and was right
- Ms. Blanchfield, who kindled my awe and wonder in the world in a tangible way
- Mrs. Prout, who told me that I was not allowed to be an English teacher
- Dr. Craig, who helped me to see that Physics was more than just CHS AP Physics, SO much more that it became my second major
- Master Schrippa, and everyone involved in LMC Tae Kwon Do.
- The Choir at Holy Spirit Parish, and all of the music ministry.
- Pyramid Life Centerers.
- The guests of Saint Francis Inn.
- There are so many more, oh so many more. This blog is not sufficiently large to contain all.
I will leave you with one last thing, for now. I found this in my perusal of cyberspace. It is an excerpt from a poem by Neil Gaiman.
Remember your name.
Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.
Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn.
Trust dreams.
Trust your heart, and trust your story.
The take home lesson from this, from all of this is: what you seek will be found. I am closer to finding it. I don't know what it is, but I can sense the path is near, and whatever it is that I will find is within my grasp. As I would say, "I've got this." :P
Currently reading: Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I know I said I would get to Great Expectations, and I will. I just want to read this one first.
Listening to: "Blessed" by Martina Mc Bride. "I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve." <3
- Rachel
Here goes:
1. I arrive at SU, inspired but wiped from the week in Philly. I didn't really want to be here, because I was not ready. Or so I thought.
2. I was greeted by my amazing roommate, who was already moved in, and who helped me move in. We became great friends.
3. I began working. I was able to do stoichiometry and run reactions successfuly, a feat. Well, the reaction running part. I didn't think the stoichiometry was such a big deal.
4. I started to feel comfortable being in my lab; yeah, I broke stuff, but I didn't do anything horribly wrong. Just a couple round bottoms.
5. I made a presentation, and I gave the presentation in front of people. It was a turning point for my confidence; instead of saying, "Can I do it?" I was saying, "Yes, I can." It was also an affirmation of path; I knew I was living it right.
6. I fell so much in love with the REU program that I already had a list of new REU programs for next summer to apply to.
7. It wasn't all work and no play; I read many books, made many friends and went on quite a few adventures. Niagara Falls, canoeing, just taking a walk, all of these experiences shaped this summer for me.
8. Through it all, I missed my Sharkies very much, and I wanted badly to go back to Le Moyne. I had no interest in the work, just the people.
9. As my summer comes to a close, I feel incredibly grateful to have had this REU position, these stories to share, these friends to be with. I will miss everyone, but I will take all of this as another brick in my foundation.
10. I feel like I should have an acknowledgement slide, or list, or something. It is to these people, above all, that I am indebted for shaping me:
- My family, my crazy crazy family, who have loved me and supported me in all of my pursuits.
- My friends: Kara D, my Sharkies and all of my Le Moyne people, my Science Olympians, and anyone I have been blessed enough to call friend. I have made it this far because of you.
- All of the teachers that kept me fired up in school, who showed me that I must remain in some sort of Academia, because that's where my passion resides, especially:
- Mrs. Vlieg, who thought I would enjoy Science Olympaid, and was right
- Ms. Blanchfield, who kindled my awe and wonder in the world in a tangible way
- Mrs. Prout, who told me that I was not allowed to be an English teacher
- Dr. Craig, who helped me to see that Physics was more than just CHS AP Physics, SO much more that it became my second major
- Master Schrippa, and everyone involved in LMC Tae Kwon Do.
- The Choir at Holy Spirit Parish, and all of the music ministry.
- Pyramid Life Centerers.
- The guests of Saint Francis Inn.
- There are so many more, oh so many more. This blog is not sufficiently large to contain all.
I will leave you with one last thing, for now. I found this in my perusal of cyberspace. It is an excerpt from a poem by Neil Gaiman.
Remember your name.
Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.
Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn.
Trust dreams.
Trust your heart, and trust your story.
The take home lesson from this, from all of this is: what you seek will be found. I am closer to finding it. I don't know what it is, but I can sense the path is near, and whatever it is that I will find is within my grasp. As I would say, "I've got this." :P
Currently reading: Life of Pi by Yann Martel. I know I said I would get to Great Expectations, and I will. I just want to read this one first.
Listening to: "Blessed" by Martina Mc Bride. "I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve." <3
- Rachel
Sunday, August 9, 2009
And the thunder rolls...
You guessed it! There is a storm a-brewing here in Syracuse. It's been thundering, lightening, pouring. Don't get me wrong, storms are cool, but I have a feeling this one will keep me up a while.
Today was a pretty lazy day. Nothing much to say except how excited I will be to go home. I need a break from all of this so-called "work." Everyone deserves a break now and again...
I made the mistake of checking to see if the final exam schedule was up, and it was. Here it is, in all its glory:
Monday, Dec. 14:
12:00 - 2:30: French Impressionism
3:00 - 5:30: Computational Physics
6:00 - 8:30: Electromagnetic Theory I
Wednesday, Dec. 16:
12:00 - 2:30: Physical Chemistry
Thursday, Dec. 17:
3:00 - 5:30: Inorganic Chemistry
The only really depressing part is that first day, and that such an intense day of testing is on the first day. Oh well. I will deal. I always do.
That's all. Life here isn't terribly interesting today.
Currently reading: The Historian. I still have just a little more than 200 pages to go. Which isn't bad considering it's almost 700 pages itself.
Listening to: "Unwell" by Matchbox 20. "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. I know, right now you can't tell, but stay a while and maybe then you'll see a different side of me..."
- Rachel
Today was a pretty lazy day. Nothing much to say except how excited I will be to go home. I need a break from all of this so-called "work." Everyone deserves a break now and again...
I made the mistake of checking to see if the final exam schedule was up, and it was. Here it is, in all its glory:
Monday, Dec. 14:
12:00 - 2:30: French Impressionism
3:00 - 5:30: Computational Physics
6:00 - 8:30: Electromagnetic Theory I
Wednesday, Dec. 16:
12:00 - 2:30: Physical Chemistry
Thursday, Dec. 17:
3:00 - 5:30: Inorganic Chemistry
The only really depressing part is that first day, and that such an intense day of testing is on the first day. Oh well. I will deal. I always do.
That's all. Life here isn't terribly interesting today.
Currently reading: The Historian. I still have just a little more than 200 pages to go. Which isn't bad considering it's almost 700 pages itself.
Listening to: "Unwell" by Matchbox 20. "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. I know, right now you can't tell, but stay a while and maybe then you'll see a different side of me..."
- Rachel
Saturday, August 8, 2009
You'll be the prince and I'll be the princess.
With all of my take home work finished, my free time has become that much more free. Today, I slept until about 3:30 this afternoon, after going to bed at about 1:30 am. I really don't know how. I have never slept that long. I am much more well rested, though!
I did some more cleaning and packing; I am very ready to leave. I have made some great friends, and I will be sad to leave them, but I am done. I feel like I have gotten all that I can from being here, and while I will continue to draw from this experience in the future, I don't think I will get much more from being in this place. But what do I know?
I also watched "The Prince and Me," which was funny and heartwarming. I have seen a few movies this summer now, more than I normally do (I think 7 in all), and this might have been my favorite.
With all of this extra free time, I am not sure what I will do. Finish this book, of course, but I have about 350 pages to go. Probably can get through it by tomorrow. After that, more books, but I will probably start reviewing organic soon too. I have much to relearn!
There isn't much else to say. In six days I will be done. Does that mean the blog, too? Only time will tell. And readership. I doubt there are many readers. Weigh in: should I continue blogging? Leave a comment with your answer.
Currently reading: The Historian. It's SOOOOOO good. I would finish it tonight if I can stay awake long enough.
Listening to: "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" by Reba McEntire. "I'm gonna take that mountain! Ain't nothing gonna slow me down, and there ain't no way around it. Gonna leave it level with the ground. Ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it. I'm gonna take that mountain!"
- Rachel
I did some more cleaning and packing; I am very ready to leave. I have made some great friends, and I will be sad to leave them, but I am done. I feel like I have gotten all that I can from being here, and while I will continue to draw from this experience in the future, I don't think I will get much more from being in this place. But what do I know?
I also watched "The Prince and Me," which was funny and heartwarming. I have seen a few movies this summer now, more than I normally do (I think 7 in all), and this might have been my favorite.
With all of this extra free time, I am not sure what I will do. Finish this book, of course, but I have about 350 pages to go. Probably can get through it by tomorrow. After that, more books, but I will probably start reviewing organic soon too. I have much to relearn!
There isn't much else to say. In six days I will be done. Does that mean the blog, too? Only time will tell. And readership. I doubt there are many readers. Weigh in: should I continue blogging? Leave a comment with your answer.
Currently reading: The Historian. It's SOOOOOO good. I would finish it tonight if I can stay awake long enough.
Listening to: "I'm Gonna Take That Mountain" by Reba McEntire. "I'm gonna take that mountain! Ain't nothing gonna slow me down, and there ain't no way around it. Gonna leave it level with the ground. Ain't just gonna cross it, climb it, fight it. I'm gonna take that mountain!"
- Rachel
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Fly little bee away to where there's no more rain...
Today was and still is a beautiful day, weather-wise. The sky was practically clear, and it wasn't too hot. And, no rain! Dreams come true, sometimes.
Alas, there remains little more than a week of my first adventure into the wonderful world of research. I just want to be done. Maybe the mood I have been in all day will be gone tomorrow, but right now I am so done. My paper is mostly finished, and I have little to do on the poster. My heart just doesn't feel in it anymore; I don't know why, if it's circumstance or what. All I know is that I "checked out today." I can't say what it means, if it's something I feel about research or merely that my summer was effectively eaten up by this program. It's been a great run, don't get me wrong. I just want to be done. The end.
Currently reading: The Historian. I have a feeling this one's going to take a while.
Listening to: "Galileo" by the Indigo Girls. "How long til my soul gets it right?"
-Rachel
Alas, there remains little more than a week of my first adventure into the wonderful world of research. I just want to be done. Maybe the mood I have been in all day will be gone tomorrow, but right now I am so done. My paper is mostly finished, and I have little to do on the poster. My heart just doesn't feel in it anymore; I don't know why, if it's circumstance or what. All I know is that I "checked out today." I can't say what it means, if it's something I feel about research or merely that my summer was effectively eaten up by this program. It's been a great run, don't get me wrong. I just want to be done. The end.
Currently reading: The Historian. I have a feeling this one's going to take a while.
Listening to: "Galileo" by the Indigo Girls. "How long til my soul gets it right?"
-Rachel
Monday, August 3, 2009
Pushing the needle too far.
Today turned out to be one of the faultiest days of the summer. Here's why: some girl in our building has an active case of tuberculosis. So we all had to get tested. And it hurt. AND I have to have another test done in 1o weeks. Fail, SU. Fail. The whole thing just made me really irritated at people.
The less faulty part of the day consisted of the third floor lab going to MALDI at Suny Oswego. MALDI is a type of mass spectrometry that uses a laser. That's pretty much all I've got. It took a long time, but it was pretty cool.
Nothing much else to report. I am just annoyed at this TB business. :(
Currently reading: The Historian.
Listening to: "Paper Bag" by Anna Nalick. "Someday we'll all be old, and I'll be so damn beautiful. Meanwhile, I'll hide my head here in this paper bag..."
- Rachel
The less faulty part of the day consisted of the third floor lab going to MALDI at Suny Oswego. MALDI is a type of mass spectrometry that uses a laser. That's pretty much all I've got. It took a long time, but it was pretty cool.
Nothing much else to report. I am just annoyed at this TB business. :(
Currently reading: The Historian.
Listening to: "Paper Bag" by Anna Nalick. "Someday we'll all be old, and I'll be so damn beautiful. Meanwhile, I'll hide my head here in this paper bag..."
- Rachel
Sunday, August 2, 2009
God Only Knows.
As I write this post, I really should be writing my REU paper. I can see how this blog would be an extremely enticing form of procrastination if I kept it going through the semester. :P I'm very often glad that I write it, though. It helps to get everything out, or at least the important stuff.
Today at mass, I joined up with Josh and Mark and reclaimed my position as singer. I've been lectoring these past few weeks, and probably would have continued happily doing so. Fr. Linus, however, had other plans, and last week he invited me to sing. Thus, here I was. It felt good to be back in what some would call my "normal" place. I had enjoyed reading, but this was a welcome change.
During the homily, Fr. Linus went on about how we can't expect God to just call out to us and say, "Rachel, this is the path you must take." I knew this, certainly, but perhaps I can't always accept it. I don't like living "unsettled." I still don't know, after all this research, what I really should be doing. I like it, and I like the college life. I think I could be both happy and useful if I were to remain in the college setting. But is that where I should be? God only knows. Literally.
And so my discernment continues...
After mass, I was able to meet up with Kara, one of my best friends from home. We got lunch at Panera (though not before getting a bit lost), and the most delicious ice cream from Carvel. It was wonderful to see her for the first time in over a month, and I think a good time was had by all! :)
I shall sign off to you now, and maybe even get some of my paper done!
Currently reading: The Historian. I haven't read any since yesterday.
Listening to: "Whisper" by A Fine Frenzy. "I've stopped trying to find any peace in my mind because it tangles the wires."
- Rachel
Today at mass, I joined up with Josh and Mark and reclaimed my position as singer. I've been lectoring these past few weeks, and probably would have continued happily doing so. Fr. Linus, however, had other plans, and last week he invited me to sing. Thus, here I was. It felt good to be back in what some would call my "normal" place. I had enjoyed reading, but this was a welcome change.
During the homily, Fr. Linus went on about how we can't expect God to just call out to us and say, "Rachel, this is the path you must take." I knew this, certainly, but perhaps I can't always accept it. I don't like living "unsettled." I still don't know, after all this research, what I really should be doing. I like it, and I like the college life. I think I could be both happy and useful if I were to remain in the college setting. But is that where I should be? God only knows. Literally.
And so my discernment continues...
After mass, I was able to meet up with Kara, one of my best friends from home. We got lunch at Panera (though not before getting a bit lost), and the most delicious ice cream from Carvel. It was wonderful to see her for the first time in over a month, and I think a good time was had by all! :)
I shall sign off to you now, and maybe even get some of my paper done!
Currently reading: The Historian. I haven't read any since yesterday.
Listening to: "Whisper" by A Fine Frenzy. "I've stopped trying to find any peace in my mind because it tangles the wires."
- Rachel
Saturday, August 1, 2009
It's just another day in paradise...
Hey everyone! Today, the group went canoeing in Old Forge, and it was spectacular. The eight mile trip was full of beautiful scenery, and the river made for a refreshing swim! The only part that wasn't so fun was the "portage," where we had to carry the canoe about 0.2 mi through the muddy path. The mud wouldn't have even been so bad, if it wasn't full of rocks, roots and sticks. Plus, canoes are heavier than they look. I'm told that normally it isn't that muddy; we will never know. :P
There remain eight full days of work, and one half day, wherein we must have 3 "Tuesday Lunches" (one will be on a Thursday), and then close with a poster session. Thursday, 12-2 in the life sciences atrium. It's all gone by so quickly. I was thinking today on the river of how conflicted I was. I want, on some level, to stay here. The people are fabulous, my lab is great, and although this is what you might call "crunch time," it's hardly anything in comparison to what I know this semester upcoming will entail. I want, on some level, to be back at school, because I miss all of the sharks, and mass at LMC, and everything that college entails, minus the actual work. I almost even miss the work! I also want, mostly, to just have some time to myself, alone, where I can sleep, read and enjoy the world a little without having to worry about anything. My vacation got cut mad short. The 10 days I will be home after all of this will be jam-packed, and while most of it will be fun things, it won't necessarily be relaxing. Oh well. It's what I get. I wouldn't change a thing. :)
Currently reading: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It's about vampires. Nothing like Twilight, I'm sure, but very good thus far.
Listening to: "Hanging by a Moment" by Lifehouse. "I'm letting go of all I've held onto..."
- Rachel
There remain eight full days of work, and one half day, wherein we must have 3 "Tuesday Lunches" (one will be on a Thursday), and then close with a poster session. Thursday, 12-2 in the life sciences atrium. It's all gone by so quickly. I was thinking today on the river of how conflicted I was. I want, on some level, to stay here. The people are fabulous, my lab is great, and although this is what you might call "crunch time," it's hardly anything in comparison to what I know this semester upcoming will entail. I want, on some level, to be back at school, because I miss all of the sharks, and mass at LMC, and everything that college entails, minus the actual work. I almost even miss the work! I also want, mostly, to just have some time to myself, alone, where I can sleep, read and enjoy the world a little without having to worry about anything. My vacation got cut mad short. The 10 days I will be home after all of this will be jam-packed, and while most of it will be fun things, it won't necessarily be relaxing. Oh well. It's what I get. I wouldn't change a thing. :)
Currently reading: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. It's about vampires. Nothing like Twilight, I'm sure, but very good thus far.
Listening to: "Hanging by a Moment" by Lifehouse. "I'm letting go of all I've held onto..."
- Rachel
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