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
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