Exams

Status:

• 2/4 biology exams completed.
• German is done
• Cultural studies blog post by saturday night and exam on Tuesday.
• Chem exam on Saturday
• Move on Tuesday

This semester really never had any slow parts. It was probably due to BIOL2002's workload. It feels like it flew past me. Summer feels so long ago!

I've made some top notch friends, had a lot of good times, and definitely grew and matured in a lot of ways. I feel like I have an infinite multitude of new perspectives on life. Ms Frizzle/Frazzle leaves in January. I'm surely going to miss her smile, her radiating warmth and happiness, and her inspirational conversations, but I'm even more excited to know that she's going to go to a new place. I'm incredibly happy for her, and I can't wait to hear about her trip while she's there.

I learned a lot about working in groups, or rather, working with groups. I learned how to be excited about the simple things in life, thanks to this one amazing guy I know. We surely have different worldviews, but somehow it works out. He taught me how to laugh again, and he showed me a whole new kind of love, a kind I thought I already knew.

My spaghetti skills certainly expanded. The repetoire is rather large. I also learned a thing or two about eggs, and chicken. I tried out a lot of new coffees, and began dabbling in tea. I learned how not to take photos. I learned how to dance by myself. I learned how to manage multiple bills, and how to stretch my dollar. I learned that water doesn't boil if you don't turn the stovetop on!

I learned to listen to my sister when branching out in life. I learned to listen to my dad when trying to do too much. I learned how to do too much. I learned how to produce a quantity of knowledge I never knew existed. I learned how to love remixs, and I learned how to hate dubstep.

I learned how to write bad music. I learned how to understand the superstructure of culture; also, how to be a good communist. I learned how to read and write. I learned how to listen to Brahms, how to read Wilde, how to read Camus, and how to listen to Wicked too often. I found out how to spend countless hours talking with a best friend I almost never see. I learned that some best friends will always be your best friend, even if you can't communicate. I learned how to spend too much time with Facebook, and how to get away. I discovered the pleasure of experiencing the unobserved life.

I learned how to blog. I learned how to read scientific articles. I learned how to write scientifically, how to ask critical questions, and how to retain knowledge by caring. I learned how to visualize, before my eyes, the central dogma of microbiology.

I learned that a night of Starbucks and 4 hours of molecular biology is tough, but I love it.

I learned, the hard way, how to facilitate a coming out group. I learned how to be humble, how to know my limitations. I learned how to mix gin and tonic. I experienced new wines. I learned that hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps can take you too far too quickly. I learned that twin beds are not made for two. I discovered the diversity of the hot dish.

I learned how to deal with Minneapolis snowstorms. I experienced my first Gopher game.

I was mugged for the first time, and learned fear.

I explored myself by exploring my world, and I came back happy, passionate, and in love.

All of this is only a fraction of what I discovered, learned, and experienced this semester. I'm thankful for the pains, the pleasures, the journeys, and the experiences. I can only hope to do this all over again with all of you next semester!