Althought I realize I have been negligent in my blogging of late, it is completely and totally because I was finishing a project, making a presentation, writing a paper, entertaining my parents, driving home from Alabama, unpacking my truck, doing laundry, driving to brownwood, helping with my grandpa on his farm, driving home, finishing laundry, repacking my truck, and driving back to school.
That's where I am now, school!! It is quite fabulous to be back. My apartment is almost completely unpacked, and i have cleared out half my closet, half the bathroom drawers and shelves, and some pantry space for my cousin who is coming to live with me for a few months! I'm very excited to have a roomie again because its lonely living alone, but OH MY GOSH getting my clothes down to half the closet was HARD.
In addition to unpacking/rearranging my apartment, today I met up some friends for tea, made my mother dinner, bought all my textbooks for UNDER $600, which is AWESOME, and put all my old textbooks up for sale on amazon! I feel quite accomplished.
Somewhere along the way I came to the conclusion that I wanted to experiment with my health. Anna and I have made a pact, to cut down on budget and unhealthiness. These are my semester rules:
One.
I will tell Anna everything I spend money on, in an effort to decrease spending.
Two.
I will observe the diet of a pescatarian. I am limited to TWO SWEETS A DAY AT THE MOST. If I don't have the option of having a sweet or two I will go crazy and fail completely, As well as no sodas or anything deep fried. (:( Bye bye french fries). I will notify Anna when I break these rules.
Three.
I will exercise for AT LEAST 30 minutes three times a week. If not more.
Four.
I will go to class, turn off my cell phone, and pay attention. Always.
Five.
I will do my homework before I play.
I.e. Before I go out for the night, or watch six episodes of Bones straight, or bake cookies, I will have read my chapter, reviewed my notes, done any written assignments or other homework-type things, and all major papers will be written a week before.
Six.
I will attempt to get at LEAST six hours of sleep a night.
This is an experiment to determine how much better my lifestyle is when its regulated. I mean... normally I do whatever I want whenever I feel like it and then I'm tired and haggard and grouchy and on some kind of sugar rush constantly and six for roughly half of every semester. If you CAN'T tell the part that is bolded, italicized, and underlined is the part that I'm MOST excited about! I've heard people go on and on about how great it is to give up some or all meat. Well, I kinda wanted to know for myself. All that talk also coincided with a rather unpleasant epidsode of bones where chickens were kept in a really sad little place, and a poor little baby pig, and lots and lots of studies on processed meat, cancer, and diabetes. SO. The end result is one semester of a healthier lifestyle. Lets see how it goes, I'll keep you posted. I'm also going to print a list of the rules and tape them around places! I'm pumped for this semester. Chemistry chemistry chemistry!
In the past week or so I've realized how much the people around me love me, and how much I love them. I feel so lucky and proud to be able to call them friends. I've had lunch/breafast with some great friends, was moral support for a shopping excursion, gotten wonderful emails, texts, and phone calls, missed my sister a ton, visited my grandpa and grandma, spent time with my parents, got an AWESOME package in the mail, came home to a magically clean apartment, and opened my front door to find a friend with flowers in her hand. Do I have great friends or what? Leaving the people that I cared about from Dauphin Island was sad, but it just made me realize how fortunate I am to have friends ALL OVER instead of just in Texas. And coming home to Texas made me realize how much I love the people here, and how much they have come into my life and changed it for the better. Yay!
Thank God :D
<3 <3 <3 Melissa
What a Wonderful World :)
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
"It Happened One Night? His Girl Friday!? Casablanca!!?"
In case you're wondering if I'm a huge loser, I am.
In case you're also wondering how badly I want to succeed on this whole "watch as many new movies as physically possible" thing, very badly. I have bowed down to the greats.
I found a website where someone MORE obsessed with gilmore girls (yes, yes, those people DO exist) than me has listed off every movie they have ever referenced.
I began perusing it, quick general overview of the greats, the classics, the ones I've been wanting to watch since my wee little freshman girl days of watching gilmore girls, and then. Then I began to delve more deeply, I'm currently in the "Cs."
68.
Count 'em ladies and gentleman, I have 68 movies on queue for netflix. 68 of the GREATS, 68 of the ONES I'VE ALWAYS BEEN WAITING FOR.
I don't know how I didn't start this sooner.
Please comment with suggestions of movies that you think I just really need to see before I die.
I will add them to my list immediately.
And such is the glory of netflix.
In other news, heres a bit more detail on my project, and how its coming. I know you people have been thirsting for it!
My dinoflagellates are known to produce DMSP. That is what most scientists attribute ALL DMS to. Basically if you ask a scientist, "hey, where did that DMS come from?" They will say "from that DMSP that the marine phytoplankton and microalgae produces." And thats it.
But what IIIIII am trying to prove is that there is possibly something else that is making DMS. Like, another molecule besides DMSP.
So what I've determined so far, is basically that there is another precursor.
And now I'm determining possibly what it is if I can get to a LCMS (Liquid chromatography to separate the compounds, mass spec. to determine what compounds they are). If not there are a few more simple tests to run that can determine the biological availability of this new DMS precursor, and that's what I'm setting up now. I'm also running a few tests to determine if other dinoflagellates produce the same new precursors, and to see if its present in local water sources (lake water, for example). Tomorrow the problems of the other cultures and lake water will be tackled. I'm hoping to get my love Ali to help me set up the biologically available thing on Wednesday, after she has recovered from her Marine Geology test, and then I'll focus solely on writing starting next week.
OH SPEAKING OF ALI AND MARINE GEOLOGY, I made a new blog.
(Did you like that transition that I awkwardly worked in there? I know. So smooth.)
www.aliisaturtle.blogspot.com
The idea here is that Ali is my graduate student. She loves turtles, and baby turtles, and sea turtles, and she has like 8 pet turtles at home, and probably about 100 fake turtles around. And one day my sister found this cute little shell turtle so she bought it for Ali, who cracked a joke about how it was sitting on the GC to watch me until she returned.
Ali was having a bad day that day because she hates her marine geology class, and so I decided to cheer her up, I would create a series of photographs involving the turtle being my keeper. It developed quite nicely. :D
I personally think its pretty amusing, and cute. And this first entry is a good overview of my general day. Although, I must admit its probably more funny if you know Ali and the lab.
Speaking of the lab, that is where I currently am (as per usual around midnight these days), but today I am running samples of little vials that smell like fish.
Why do they smell like fish you ask?
Well. It finally happened.
Being near an ocean equated to me touching dead fish.
And it was actually quite fun! I went to the fishing rodeo, that's right THE fishing rodeo, The ALABAMA DEEP SEA FISHING RODEO which is apparently like the biggest deal ever here on the island, and a million kabajillion people bring in the dead fish that they caught to see who caught the biggest, and we took pieces and cut them up into little baby samples and dissolved them in base, and the whole time I was complaining cause I just KNEW NOTHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THERE IS NO DMSP IN FISH.
And then something happened. There is DMSP in fish, apparently. A sizable amount.
I was wrong. The well-studied, pretty much genius PhD was right. He wins, I lose, and here I am running samples at midnight.
Its okay, I feel like a real scientist now, working on my project in a creepy building until all hours of the night. But HEY. At least I have visitors. :D
This update was mostly for the enjoyment of one Miss. Anna Katherine Bryan, who is locked away out of text-range in Germany, and who wants to know about my life. I'm sorry Anna, but I'm out of things to say.
What!? Melissa!? OUT OF THINGS TO SAY?
It's true, I'm not. I could say a million more things but I think it would be better to my sleep patterns and my productivity level to do something project related in the three minutes it takes for this machine to process my samples, rather than write up a blog. Also, I want to finish the movie I'm currently watching.
<3 <3 <3
Melissa
In case you're also wondering how badly I want to succeed on this whole "watch as many new movies as physically possible" thing, very badly. I have bowed down to the greats.
I found a website where someone MORE obsessed with gilmore girls (yes, yes, those people DO exist) than me has listed off every movie they have ever referenced.
I began perusing it, quick general overview of the greats, the classics, the ones I've been wanting to watch since my wee little freshman girl days of watching gilmore girls, and then. Then I began to delve more deeply, I'm currently in the "Cs."
68.
Count 'em ladies and gentleman, I have 68 movies on queue for netflix. 68 of the GREATS, 68 of the ONES I'VE ALWAYS BEEN WAITING FOR.
I don't know how I didn't start this sooner.
Please comment with suggestions of movies that you think I just really need to see before I die.
I will add them to my list immediately.
And such is the glory of netflix.
In other news, heres a bit more detail on my project, and how its coming. I know you people have been thirsting for it!
My dinoflagellates are known to produce DMSP. That is what most scientists attribute ALL DMS to. Basically if you ask a scientist, "hey, where did that DMS come from?" They will say "from that DMSP that the marine phytoplankton and microalgae produces." And thats it.
But what IIIIII am trying to prove is that there is possibly something else that is making DMS. Like, another molecule besides DMSP.
So what I've determined so far, is basically that there is another precursor.
And now I'm determining possibly what it is if I can get to a LCMS (Liquid chromatography to separate the compounds, mass spec. to determine what compounds they are). If not there are a few more simple tests to run that can determine the biological availability of this new DMS precursor, and that's what I'm setting up now. I'm also running a few tests to determine if other dinoflagellates produce the same new precursors, and to see if its present in local water sources (lake water, for example). Tomorrow the problems of the other cultures and lake water will be tackled. I'm hoping to get my love Ali to help me set up the biologically available thing on Wednesday, after she has recovered from her Marine Geology test, and then I'll focus solely on writing starting next week.
OH SPEAKING OF ALI AND MARINE GEOLOGY, I made a new blog.
(Did you like that transition that I awkwardly worked in there? I know. So smooth.)
www.aliisaturtle.blogspot.com
The idea here is that Ali is my graduate student. She loves turtles, and baby turtles, and sea turtles, and she has like 8 pet turtles at home, and probably about 100 fake turtles around. And one day my sister found this cute little shell turtle so she bought it for Ali, who cracked a joke about how it was sitting on the GC to watch me until she returned.
Ali was having a bad day that day because she hates her marine geology class, and so I decided to cheer her up, I would create a series of photographs involving the turtle being my keeper. It developed quite nicely. :D
I personally think its pretty amusing, and cute. And this first entry is a good overview of my general day. Although, I must admit its probably more funny if you know Ali and the lab.
Speaking of the lab, that is where I currently am (as per usual around midnight these days), but today I am running samples of little vials that smell like fish.
Why do they smell like fish you ask?
Well. It finally happened.
Being near an ocean equated to me touching dead fish.
And it was actually quite fun! I went to the fishing rodeo, that's right THE fishing rodeo, The ALABAMA DEEP SEA FISHING RODEO which is apparently like the biggest deal ever here on the island, and a million kabajillion people bring in the dead fish that they caught to see who caught the biggest, and we took pieces and cut them up into little baby samples and dissolved them in base, and the whole time I was complaining cause I just KNEW NOTHING WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THERE IS NO DMSP IN FISH.
And then something happened. There is DMSP in fish, apparently. A sizable amount.
I was wrong. The well-studied, pretty much genius PhD was right. He wins, I lose, and here I am running samples at midnight.
Its okay, I feel like a real scientist now, working on my project in a creepy building until all hours of the night. But HEY. At least I have visitors. :D
This update was mostly for the enjoyment of one Miss. Anna Katherine Bryan, who is locked away out of text-range in Germany, and who wants to know about my life. I'm sorry Anna, but I'm out of things to say.
What!? Melissa!? OUT OF THINGS TO SAY?
It's true, I'm not. I could say a million more things but I think it would be better to my sleep patterns and my productivity level to do something project related in the three minutes it takes for this machine to process my samples, rather than write up a blog. Also, I want to finish the movie I'm currently watching.
<3 <3 <3
Melissa
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I could do some of the things I've always wanted to.
"Oh! Do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch."
Jane Austen
"What very mysterious things days were. Sometimes they fly by, and other times they seem to last forever, yet they are all exactly twenty-four hours. There's quite a lot we don't know about them."
Melanie Benjamin
Time.
Time time time.
That is all that has been on my brain today.
Kyle came to visit me, and I got a ticket. That seems like a long time ago, but not a long enough time until I have to pay it.
I want Christmas to come, but that seems far far far away. Kyle also did a bit to sprinkle Christmas in July for me, which may ease my patience some.
And then my project! I feel like I don't have enough time to finish, I feel crunched for time, and yet I feel like while I sit here running sample after sample it will be forever until I get to bed.
Secretly I might not go to bed tonight, but pretend you didn't see that mommy & abbey, because I know you'll be worried both of you. AND to stave off your irritations in advance, I'll be fine, I'll sleep tomorrow, I just want to get this done.
And I want to go home to see my family and my friends! But that means leaving a different family and new friends here. So I feel like its too much time and not enough time all at once.
And HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO HOLD YOURSELF UP IN A PLANK FOR A MINUTE? I promise you, it will probably feel like one of the longest minutes in your life to date. And not amount of thinking about how great your stomach is going to work can really get you out of that thought process.
But really its just a measely little minute. Sixty seconds. 360 of those minutes have passed since I arrived in lab this evening, and yet I can't make it through one as a plank.
Its weird. VERY WEIRD.
Okay so all that weirdness aside, LATELY I have had so much going on that I haven't had time to update and I'm sorry don't hate me!
Firstly, Kyle did come to visit. And the whole time he was here all I did was complain about magnets, AND SO HE SENT ME A PACKAGE WITH SOME AND SOME CHRISTMAS IN JULY!! Wonderful!! Right up there with the post card from katie, which made my life wonderful! I love mail, so if you want to send me some mail, I will love you forever and ever and just ask me for my address in a non-private forum and I'd be happy to get it to ya.
I really love Christmas.
Like, I think more than you people know.
Christmas smells nice, and it feels nice, and you get to wear your favorite clothes, and have lots of fun surprises for the ones you love, and you hopefully get to see the ones you love, and everything just feels crisp and fresh and like a new beginning (probably cause it symbolizes, you know, the beginning of baby Jesus). I mean, I really really really want it to be Christmas.
Like now.
On another note, I've decided that this is the summer for new things. I'm spending the summer away from my home for the first time in my life, this is the longest I've ever not been in Texas, this is the farthest I've ever been from my family, this is the first time in LITERALLY years I've been in the same city with my sister for more than a week, AND SO.
I've begun watching movies that I've always wanted to see and never have.
This is one of those long, drawn out, fabulous processes where you really have to sit and watch the movie.
You cannot just lightly brush off the movie while you do something else.
THIS is a serious sit down and watch this movie kinda thing, you know?
SO I started with Casablanca. Amazing. Better than I EVER dreamed it could be. And with all the times its been quoted, I really thought I had the end figured out BUT I DIDN'T AND IT WAS SO MUCH BETTER AND MORE INTENSE AND WONDERFUL THAN EVER.
Then I moved on to Roman Holiday. Wonderful, absolutely smashing. I always get these little irks about me where I want to go off on an adventure but theres never anything to DO really, and so it just doesn't seem like a good idea, and then I end up sitting at home and watching other peoples adventures on my computer. BUT SHE WENT ON ONE. And it was the perfect love story, because especially at the end it was so real and perfect.
And so began my love affair with Audrey Hepburn.
Sabrina.
Then Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Followed closely by Funny Face.
And then I immediately planned an Audrey marathon to commence with my mother the day after my return in the great state of Texas, complete with the aforementioned usual suspects, and a dash of My Fair Lady. I'm soooooo excited. In the process of permanently procuring these for my own personal collection.
Then I watched Shawshank Redemption, Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal. I feel so cultured! And this all started in the month of July! I also watched Gambit, which was a surprisingly awesome movie, and started Charade but couldn't finish because of lab things
Now however, I'm TOTALLY caught up in lab things. Which is good for watching things you've seen before, but not good for things like The Green Mile, The Godfather parts one and two, Saving private Ryan, and Dead Poet Society. All of these things require my full attention, and all of these are on my list.
Also my decision is official. I'm getting netflix. I just don't know what I'll do without the constant influx of movies from those around me when I leave the island. Its happening.
I miss Texas, but I know I'll miss the island when I leave. My roomie went home this weekend (abandoning me to the terrors that are our creepy house and all of its weird noises a.k.a. robbers, ghosts, ghouls, and/or creepers) and got me AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF TEXAS TO KEEP WITH ME FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER. Its a Texas key chain. Are you jealous? OP YOU SHOULD BE. Also Ian left for Hartford Connecticut for the weekend, too, and he got me a shot glass!! Supposedly he was trying to find me something run and yale-y so I could be like Rory Gilmore, but he couldn't find anything. Is it sad that I'm that transparent? All I ever wanted was to be like Rory Gilmore.
That was a joke.
Kind of.
And in any case, though it was sad that she was gone, I did get to spend quality time with my sisters dog, who was my growly protector for the weekend, and I WANT A PUPPY. REAL BAD.
OKAY ladies and gentlemen, I REALLY hope that was enough to satiate your desires for Melissa on this lovely Summer day, and I hope you enjoyed that stream-of-consciousness rendition of my week, via my brain from the hours of 4:30-5:30 a.m.
Love Love Love,
Melissa
Jane Austen
"What very mysterious things days were. Sometimes they fly by, and other times they seem to last forever, yet they are all exactly twenty-four hours. There's quite a lot we don't know about them."
Melanie Benjamin
Time.
Time time time.
That is all that has been on my brain today.
Kyle came to visit me, and I got a ticket. That seems like a long time ago, but not a long enough time until I have to pay it.
I want Christmas to come, but that seems far far far away. Kyle also did a bit to sprinkle Christmas in July for me, which may ease my patience some.
And then my project! I feel like I don't have enough time to finish, I feel crunched for time, and yet I feel like while I sit here running sample after sample it will be forever until I get to bed.
Secretly I might not go to bed tonight, but pretend you didn't see that mommy & abbey, because I know you'll be worried both of you. AND to stave off your irritations in advance, I'll be fine, I'll sleep tomorrow, I just want to get this done.
And I want to go home to see my family and my friends! But that means leaving a different family and new friends here. So I feel like its too much time and not enough time all at once.
And HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO HOLD YOURSELF UP IN A PLANK FOR A MINUTE? I promise you, it will probably feel like one of the longest minutes in your life to date. And not amount of thinking about how great your stomach is going to work can really get you out of that thought process.
But really its just a measely little minute. Sixty seconds. 360 of those minutes have passed since I arrived in lab this evening, and yet I can't make it through one as a plank.
Its weird. VERY WEIRD.
Okay so all that weirdness aside, LATELY I have had so much going on that I haven't had time to update and I'm sorry don't hate me!
Firstly, Kyle did come to visit. And the whole time he was here all I did was complain about magnets, AND SO HE SENT ME A PACKAGE WITH SOME AND SOME CHRISTMAS IN JULY!! Wonderful!! Right up there with the post card from katie, which made my life wonderful! I love mail, so if you want to send me some mail, I will love you forever and ever and just ask me for my address in a non-private forum and I'd be happy to get it to ya.
I really love Christmas.
Like, I think more than you people know.
Christmas smells nice, and it feels nice, and you get to wear your favorite clothes, and have lots of fun surprises for the ones you love, and you hopefully get to see the ones you love, and everything just feels crisp and fresh and like a new beginning (probably cause it symbolizes, you know, the beginning of baby Jesus). I mean, I really really really want it to be Christmas.
Like now.
On another note, I've decided that this is the summer for new things. I'm spending the summer away from my home for the first time in my life, this is the longest I've ever not been in Texas, this is the farthest I've ever been from my family, this is the first time in LITERALLY years I've been in the same city with my sister for more than a week, AND SO.
I've begun watching movies that I've always wanted to see and never have.
This is one of those long, drawn out, fabulous processes where you really have to sit and watch the movie.
You cannot just lightly brush off the movie while you do something else.
THIS is a serious sit down and watch this movie kinda thing, you know?
SO I started with Casablanca. Amazing. Better than I EVER dreamed it could be. And with all the times its been quoted, I really thought I had the end figured out BUT I DIDN'T AND IT WAS SO MUCH BETTER AND MORE INTENSE AND WONDERFUL THAN EVER.
Then I moved on to Roman Holiday. Wonderful, absolutely smashing. I always get these little irks about me where I want to go off on an adventure but theres never anything to DO really, and so it just doesn't seem like a good idea, and then I end up sitting at home and watching other peoples adventures on my computer. BUT SHE WENT ON ONE. And it was the perfect love story, because especially at the end it was so real and perfect.
And so began my love affair with Audrey Hepburn.
Sabrina.
Then Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Followed closely by Funny Face.
And then I immediately planned an Audrey marathon to commence with my mother the day after my return in the great state of Texas, complete with the aforementioned usual suspects, and a dash of My Fair Lady. I'm soooooo excited. In the process of permanently procuring these for my own personal collection.
Then I watched Shawshank Redemption, Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal. I feel so cultured! And this all started in the month of July! I also watched Gambit, which was a surprisingly awesome movie, and started Charade but couldn't finish because of lab things
Now however, I'm TOTALLY caught up in lab things. Which is good for watching things you've seen before, but not good for things like The Green Mile, The Godfather parts one and two, Saving private Ryan, and Dead Poet Society. All of these things require my full attention, and all of these are on my list.
Also my decision is official. I'm getting netflix. I just don't know what I'll do without the constant influx of movies from those around me when I leave the island. Its happening.
I miss Texas, but I know I'll miss the island when I leave. My roomie went home this weekend (abandoning me to the terrors that are our creepy house and all of its weird noises a.k.a. robbers, ghosts, ghouls, and/or creepers) and got me AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF TEXAS TO KEEP WITH ME FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER. Its a Texas key chain. Are you jealous? OP YOU SHOULD BE. Also Ian left for Hartford Connecticut for the weekend, too, and he got me a shot glass!! Supposedly he was trying to find me something run and yale-y so I could be like Rory Gilmore, but he couldn't find anything. Is it sad that I'm that transparent? All I ever wanted was to be like Rory Gilmore.
That was a joke.
Kind of.
And in any case, though it was sad that she was gone, I did get to spend quality time with my sisters dog, who was my growly protector for the weekend, and I WANT A PUPPY. REAL BAD.
OKAY ladies and gentlemen, I REALLY hope that was enough to satiate your desires for Melissa on this lovely Summer day, and I hope you enjoyed that stream-of-consciousness rendition of my week, via my brain from the hours of 4:30-5:30 a.m.
Love Love Love,
Melissa
Monday, June 27, 2011
Vivacious Visuals :D
So I know that I've been promising and promising pictures, and just never presented you with them, but THEY HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED. This is going to be a purely picture-oriented update. With maybe a little jig at the end about my weekend.
The girls :D Natasha, Amanda, Jami, and me. That dress is new!! I love it.
Below here you see the clothes from the aforementioned prank war. Yes, that's right, I got those clothes on the roof.
 |
| The lighthouse. :D Just because its eassssy on the eyes. |
 |
| These are my beautiful little dinos. Aren't they just darlin? |
 |
| CLIFFORD LABELS! |
 |
| Anna Sent me this beautiful door decoration :D In case you were wondering, I love packages. |
 |
| This cute cute baby pecan pie that my roommates mom sent us!! |
 |
| The last prank. And a great look at all my shoes :D |
 |
| Fun. :D |
 |
| Beingets!! |
 |
| Um, I want a parade at my wedding. |
 | |
| We look HOT in our goin out clothes!! See my facebook for pictures in the masks we wore all night!! And everyone thought it was awesome! I love new orleans! |
<3 <3 Melissa!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Blue Eyes Cryin in the Early Mornin Rain!
Okay, so I didn't actually cry in this morning's rain, but I really really REALLY didn't want to get up and go to lab. I really didn't. And so this lovely country song title seemed like an appropriate way to break my blogging abstinence.
Basically, once again, I've done so much since the last time I posted I seriously DON'T know where to begin.
Firstly, I'm exhausted today. My body hates me because I'm way too mean to it, and so it is striking back at me. Don't worry! I will not succumb. I am, in fact, sitting at a high performance liquid chromatography machine at this very moment while I run my little guys through tests to see if they're making the mystery chemical, gonyauline. I'm, quite honestly, not sure what I'm looking for just yet, but after I start collecting fractions of the stuff they are producing (a.k.a. once this little machine breaks up all their little chemicals, I will take each layer of chemical and test it to see if it is what I want it to be), I'll know what's going on! Cool right? I also have almost successfully completed my first growth curve, so the biologist in me is getting a little pruning, as well as the chemist.
Also can I just take a moment to say how thankful I am that for the first time in my life I'm legitimately supporting myself doing the job that makes me happy? Its such a wonderful experience. I could get up, and go to lab, and do projects for the rest of my life. Which is nice, because at least through my graduate degrees that is exactly what I will be doing! I'm so thankful God has shown me where my heart belongs!
I'm also getting new, non-chemistry experiences too! I definitely went to play on jet skis for the first time IN MY LIFE yesterday, and it was AWESOME. The inside of both my knees are now bruised, but that's the nature of the beast!! I'm glad that there's an islander here who is willing to show me how to do fun things, like jet ski, fish, and dougie.
In other news we went to New Orleans last weekend! And for those of you who are going to ask, NO I did not get "schwasty," as my fellow twenty year old Erin said, but I DID love it there. The last thing we did was go to the aquarium, which was AMAZING. There was a giant turtle there named Midas, and we got to help feed the fish, and just wander around all morning in the aquarium. Then we drove around, looking at the garden district, Toulane, Loyola, and ALL the gorgeous houses. That city really does have a classy side to it, and I think I'm in love. In addition, when we were in the french quarter, everything was happy an exciting and full of life! I loved the color, and the street venders, and all the unique little shops. We even went into the voodoo museum, which was awesome! I could just feel how everyone seemed so happy, like they were celebrating life. It reminded me a little of the movie moulin rouge!
Also, just a few days before my New Orleans experience, I went on a 24 hour boat trip for the first. time. ever. It was a research vessel, and we went with Renee's class, but Will and I had a different project, so it was fun to know that I was the same age/younger than these people, but I didn't have to listen to their instructions! Tee Hee! I win I win! But it was cool to see my sister all in charge and to play on a boat all day. They said I slept a lot, but I think they're just jealous. Also, if you every get a chance to be out on the ocean at night, do it. Because it was BEAUTIFUL.
Well that takes you back about a week, and before that probably the only fun things I did were getting a makeover for girls night, baking, family night dinners, labbing, and beaching. SO I'm sorry that I do not have more information for you! And I'm very sorry that I fail at keeping my blog regularly updated. :D
Mommy, Daddy, and Brother I miss you.
Grandma and Grandpa, too!
GLC I miss you and am thinking of you.
Friends (you know who are), I miss you too.
Enemies.... I don't think I have any, but in case someone has labelled me as an enemy, I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL :)
Shout-out Kyle, for coming this weekend! You can't get here fast enough.
<3 <3 <3 Melissa
Basically, once again, I've done so much since the last time I posted I seriously DON'T know where to begin.
Firstly, I'm exhausted today. My body hates me because I'm way too mean to it, and so it is striking back at me. Don't worry! I will not succumb. I am, in fact, sitting at a high performance liquid chromatography machine at this very moment while I run my little guys through tests to see if they're making the mystery chemical, gonyauline. I'm, quite honestly, not sure what I'm looking for just yet, but after I start collecting fractions of the stuff they are producing (a.k.a. once this little machine breaks up all their little chemicals, I will take each layer of chemical and test it to see if it is what I want it to be), I'll know what's going on! Cool right? I also have almost successfully completed my first growth curve, so the biologist in me is getting a little pruning, as well as the chemist.
Also can I just take a moment to say how thankful I am that for the first time in my life I'm legitimately supporting myself doing the job that makes me happy? Its such a wonderful experience. I could get up, and go to lab, and do projects for the rest of my life. Which is nice, because at least through my graduate degrees that is exactly what I will be doing! I'm so thankful God has shown me where my heart belongs!
I'm also getting new, non-chemistry experiences too! I definitely went to play on jet skis for the first time IN MY LIFE yesterday, and it was AWESOME. The inside of both my knees are now bruised, but that's the nature of the beast!! I'm glad that there's an islander here who is willing to show me how to do fun things, like jet ski, fish, and dougie.
In other news we went to New Orleans last weekend! And for those of you who are going to ask, NO I did not get "schwasty," as my fellow twenty year old Erin said, but I DID love it there. The last thing we did was go to the aquarium, which was AMAZING. There was a giant turtle there named Midas, and we got to help feed the fish, and just wander around all morning in the aquarium. Then we drove around, looking at the garden district, Toulane, Loyola, and ALL the gorgeous houses. That city really does have a classy side to it, and I think I'm in love. In addition, when we were in the french quarter, everything was happy an exciting and full of life! I loved the color, and the street venders, and all the unique little shops. We even went into the voodoo museum, which was awesome! I could just feel how everyone seemed so happy, like they were celebrating life. It reminded me a little of the movie moulin rouge!
Also, just a few days before my New Orleans experience, I went on a 24 hour boat trip for the first. time. ever. It was a research vessel, and we went with Renee's class, but Will and I had a different project, so it was fun to know that I was the same age/younger than these people, but I didn't have to listen to their instructions! Tee Hee! I win I win! But it was cool to see my sister all in charge and to play on a boat all day. They said I slept a lot, but I think they're just jealous. Also, if you every get a chance to be out on the ocean at night, do it. Because it was BEAUTIFUL.
Well that takes you back about a week, and before that probably the only fun things I did were getting a makeover for girls night, baking, family night dinners, labbing, and beaching. SO I'm sorry that I do not have more information for you! And I'm very sorry that I fail at keeping my blog regularly updated. :D
Mommy, Daddy, and Brother I miss you.
Grandma and Grandpa, too!
GLC I miss you and am thinking of you.
Friends (you know who are), I miss you too.
Enemies.... I don't think I have any, but in case someone has labelled me as an enemy, I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL :)
Shout-out Kyle, for coming this weekend! You can't get here fast enough.
<3 <3 <3 Melissa
Sunday, June 5, 2011
So Much Nothing.
I seriously never thought there would be anything to do on this little island, but I have been SO busy. There's so much nothing going on that people just create an excessive amount of fun things to fill it up!
First off, I've had lots more fun with my lab than I ever expected! We had an awesome dinner party because some people that are collaborating are here in the lab, and Ali made all kinds of wonderful food. Cedar paper trout (I think), with potatoes, salad, mushrooms, everything you could imagine! Mmmm. Then there was a strawberry cake which I conveniently made accidentally on one of the Georgia guy's birthday! YAY!
Noah's Accidental Birthday Cake!
Then every other Sunday the REUs set up a themed dinner. Last Sunday was thanksgiving food, and it was deliciously fabulous. The girls got all cute, there was soooo much food.
Then after a few other adventures, the boys got bored. And how did they satiate their boredom? By placing 30 Hermit crabs in our bathroom.
War ensued.
First there were the hermit crabs, then all of our light bulbs (including the one in the fridge, which was a kind of dedication that I was impressed with) disappeared, along with buttered doorknobs, and switched off breakers. We retaliated with a cup-move on one of their doors, and tied the other door shut (although the cups were rather unsuccessful, because we failed to account for their super-long legs).
Then, of course, things got serious. With an handy accomplice, I climbed into a window (which broke in the process.... oops! :D) put all their dirty clothes on the roof, turned a doorknob inside out (which took them forever to notice), removed a few of their blinds, and hid a trash bag that used to hold a massive dead fish.
The next day my shoes were tied to my gutter, with several impressive knots, and recyclables were hidden all over my room, in addition to a bike locked to my bed.
Our T.A. called the whole thing off. Probably cause I broke the window. IT WAS 100% AN ACCIDENT. Things just break around me. I don't do it on PURPOSE.
Since then things have started to quiet down a little; I went to my first EVER crawfish boil, which made me feel very island-y, and then yesterday we had a grand old day with the REUs. There was a pancake breakfast, a bakery lunch, and a pizza dinner complete with ice cream, popcorn, and Tron. I'm so happy with the friends I've made here! I've also had a wonderful time being with my sister and getting to know her boyfriend, J.D. In exchange for ice cream he let me ride in the Wheel House (I think is what its called) of the Ferry that he drives! It was fun and he answered all my annoying questions. It was Great. Plus we have a little dinner together once a week, which is great fun. This week Renee made pork and mashed potatoes and it was delicious! I have a great family. It has been awesome to get to spend time with my long-lost sister.
Some of the other REU girls and I discovered the cutest little church here on the island. It's small, the chapel is probably about the size of 1.5 of my apartments at home, and there are stained glass windows all over, and its full of cute old people who refer to me and the other girls that come as "a breath of fresh air." I love it. Totally adorable.
Some interesting developments have occurred with my lab. Unfortunately, during the last month of my stay, the only lab members that will be on the island at all are me and Ali. BASICALLY my advisor won't even see my presentation, which is a total bummer. BUT that means that now he's focused on getting my project done and hopefully I'll have ample time to write in order to possibly publish. We started growing the culture of my little dinoflagellates (actually compared to other dinos, they're massive). They swim around and you can see them with your eyes! They're super cute. I love them. I lovingly refer to them as my little guys. BUT occasionally I have to take some out and look at them under the microscope. So they die. BUT THE WEIRDEST THING EVER HAPPENS WHEN THEY DIE. They literally spill their guts out of their shell. Like... The guts just spill out. Its SO BIZARRE. Anyway, so I get to play with my little guys, and I'm starting to test their DMS production and its going to be a grand old time. Thank goodness I have Ali to show me the ropes! :D
Okay Texas. There you go. Thats my update, complete with visual aids, and a run-down of my lab life and my social life. Refer to my facebook at a later date in order to view more pictures of the prank war, thanksgiving dinner, and other awesome stuff. Love Love!!
<3 Melissa
Monday, May 23, 2011
Bones, Beaches, and Biochemical Cycling
Dear friends & family,
I'm currently sitting in the middle of a discussion about underwater basket-weaving by two science majors who are devoting their summer to research. Really guys? Underwater basket weaving?
I feel like not much has happened since the last time I updated, except a lot of visiting the beach. And watching Bones.
The Bones is pretty addicting and infectious. I watched the latest episode with my sister, and FREAKED out realizing how much awesome stuff I've missed! Then Chris & Ian invaded our house while I was catching up on my brother's netflix, and now we can't stop. Soooo good. But I'm glad I have Amanda to watch with me too, not just boys. Because they think the things I think are sweet, are extremely cheesy. Ugh, boys. Also, we have played clue more than you could possibly imagine.
(By the way their basket-weaving conversation has evolved into that of propagating life on a new planet. THAT'S more like it. :D)
Other than watching Bones and playing at the beach not much has gone on. I've only learned a little bit about the lab. Mostly there is a dinoflagellate (a little underwater creature) that produces a precursor of DMS, a chemical that is very key in environmental cycling, and I'm going to study a specific dinoflagellate and its role in the DMS production. In order to learn lab things I've gotten to use a Gas Chromatograph (which the referenced on Bones)! In the process of that I got to play with liquid nitrogen for the first time ever. Its super easy to use and I'm 100% bummed that Adam Haraburda and I never went through with our fro yo plan. :( After I figure out the Gas Chromatograph, I will get to used a HPLC, or high performance liquid chromatography machine, which is pretty exciting because I haven't gotten to work with a lot of technology. I feel like I'm already widening my appeal for future employers!!
Also, who wants to hear about food? Everyone? That's what I thought! I love food! I know you do too.
My sister and I are planning family dinner this week! Last week she made mama's lasagna, so this week I'm going to make my second ever pot roast in my CROCK POT!! :D
Then next sunday the REUs are doing potluck dinner. Pocahontas themed (a.k.a Thanksgiving food). We've dolled out turkey, stuffing, corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, bread, fruit salad, and pies. Mmmmm I'm SO excited. Then I'm also going to buy things to make minestrone soup again when we go into town so I can eat it for dinner for the rest of the week. Yay!
Yesterday was a pretty fantastic day of the week, I went to church in a little white church with stained glass windows with Amanda, my roommate, and then we came back, I watched bones, had some bible time, got all my laundry done, AND cleaned my room. Isn't that fabulous?
Okay. So Ian, Amanda & Chris want me to mad libs on my blog as a farewell. Here we go:
Mad Lib:
The Beach
Hooray! Summer is finally here, and that means we can go to the beach! Today, my family is going to Dauphin Island Beach, and I can bring a friend with me. I decide to invite my best friend Chris' Girlfriend. I know Chris' Girlfriend will want to go with us. She thinks going to the beach is porous!
We start our beach day by watching the sunrise, and then eating breakfast at UncleObama's Pancake Hut. I always get Potato flavored pancakes.
After breakfast we squirt the waves, go mashing for seashells, and secrete a sandcastle. Then we eat the lunch we packed for the beach. It's my favorite—olive sandwiches. The only time olive sandwiches are not so slimy is when you drop them in the sand.
By 2:23, everyone's had enough of the beach. But Dauphin Island Beach is fun at night, too! There is a really despicable boardwalk. It's always crowded with people. Would you believe we saw my teacher Laura Ellis there, eating a huge banana split?
There are a lot of cool shops on the boardwalk. You can get a little hermit Oyster, but make sure your mom and dad say it's okay! My favorite store is the jewelry store. Chris' Girlfriend and I each buy a rope bracelet that will shuck when it gets wet. Pretty shiny!
By 8:00, we're all ready to head home. I usually fall asleep on the ride home. I can't wait to go to Dauphin Island Beach again.
<3 Melissa
P.s. Are you happy Jacob?
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