Is it just me, or is time like...not even a thing anymore? I swear it was October like, yesterday.
I can't believe that it's already 2017! I finished/survived my first semester of grad school, two rotations, and managing to be 20 years old all at the same time. I have learned soo much and can't wait to see where the rest of this semester takes me!
Classes
My classes last semester were tough to say the least. Neuroanatomy was great, but I just barely passed Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (considering I failed the second test, I'm pretty ecstatic I don't have to retake the class). I definitely learned a lot about when to study, and how to learn new things I'm not familiar with. I also learned that laughing at yourself is the best medicine when you're totally lost in class-if I had a dollar for every time I confidently blurted out a 100% wrong answer I'd be able to buy a second car! But often times the wrong answer makes the right one even more memorable.
Rotations
Rotations have been SO FUN. I completed my second rotation with a project focusing on how rats walk when they have Parkinson's. It was really cool to get experience working and training the rats, and learning more about how to self-direct a project in a lab. Rats are definitely waaaayyy nicer than mice!
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| One of the tasks I had to train the rats on was walking through paint. Turns out rats are NOT AFRAID TO JUMP ON YOU WITH PAINT ALL OVER THEIR FEET! |
Now I'm on my third rotation, and am working on a project where we analyze the early immune response to MS in mice. There are definitely some familiar techniques from my undergrad, but I'm learning a lot and really like the focus on both neuroscience and immunology.
Life in General
Since I last updated in September, I have had soooo many fun experiences!! Seriously, life is so good! So for lack of a wordy explanation, I thought I'd include some picture highlights :)
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| DISNEY WORLD! |
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| HARRY POTTER WORLD! |
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| SPACE WORLD! (Kennedy Space Center) |
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| Dyed my hair pink-literally the best hair color ever. Not sure if I'll ever go back. |
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| The LDS Institute held a world-record breaking speed dating activity! |
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ESPN's College Game Day came to the U! Another Neuro student and I left a conference at 3am to drive down and see it. We were soooo tired but it was sooo worth it!
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| Took a solo road trip down to St. George and got to see my cousin's play! |
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| Black Friday with Kadie-so tired but we hauled! |
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| My house for the Festival of Trees in December! |
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| Christmas Christmas Christmas |
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| Insatiable reunited for a few shows and we got to see one-so fun to see "Rockstar Dad" again! |
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I was invited to speak on college at my old middle school! Such a cool experience (and also completely terrifying).
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Health
Halfway through fall semester my health really started to go downhill-I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, it was miserable! I started missing class pretty consistently and losing lab time. Finally I went to a doctor to figure out what was going on and IT WAS STRESS. Seriously. So we adjusted my diet and understanding of how my body reacts to it, and life is sooo much better. I've also upped my workouts which has helped tremendously. A big lesson these past few months has definitely been that keeping your body healthy is more important than extra study time or no sleep.
Dating
Alright I promise not to get too mushy but Bryce and I have been dating for almost two months and HOLY MOLY he has changed my life. His patience, sensitivity, humor, and kindness are just a few of the qualities I have come to love about him. We have had a number of crazy adventures (getting stuck up a canyon, going to a ska music show, and building a campfire in 10 degree temps to name a few) and here's to many more!!
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At Dad's show!
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All in all, it has been an incredible few months. Time seems like it keeps speeding up but hopefully it is always toward bigger and better things!
