Summer Recap

I've been working in the Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience department at the University of Missouri. Got to be a subject for an EEG and fMRI study. Got to help run the EEG and fMRI studies. Met some cool people--including one from Germany.

Also got a paid internship in the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology department at the Med Science Building at Mizzou. Feels very "sciency"--pipettes, microscopes, chemicals. Met some cool people there, including one who's wedding was like something off tv.

Been volunteering at the Missouri School for the Deaf. Has shown me how much my sign skills are lacking... has also shown me how much I love sign in spite of everything. I love how the kids interact; it's what I always dreamed being a part of a large family would be like--the little kids bugging the older ones, the older ones messing with the little ones, helping the little ones, doing each other's hair, everyone helping to clean up after dinner. And it's all done with hands flying in rapid conversation. It's incredible.

I've been living with Nana and Papa. Which has been interesting. It’s been trying at times due to Nana’s attempted mothering instincts. It’s been great because I don’t have to pay for room and board. And getting to spend time with them for such a large block is good too, because (not to be too depressing) we don’t know how long this opportunity would be around. It’s been interesting living with a Parkinson’s patient as well as someone HOH. Definitely gives me perspective on the practical day to day challenges of the families of the people I could very well be dealing with professionally in the future.

I’ve read 15 books.

I’ve run just about every day and biked some (one time 30 miles!).

I’ve been working on my resume and grad school applications and statements of purpose.

Visited an oral deaf classroom—that was interesting to see the speech therapy and all the CI kids.

Met a few nice people—went to a bar a couple of times, and a couple of indie flicks (Gigantic and Moon).

Played some pickup soccer with the psych dept.

Watched a lot of Friends and Scrubs and NCIS—love them.

Got some sweet furniture from Nana and Papa’s storage room.

The weather (temperature wise) has been incredible. Supposed to be 75 degrees this weekend, July 18th!

Went "bar hopping"--sorta. That was an experience. Meeting people in a bar, tried this super strong shot of something minty, danced a (very) little. But it was pretty no pressure b/c it was my last night in the state and I went with some girls that carried the conversation and made sure I had an out if I was uncomfortable. Also got to see one of the girl's DJ brother and a drummer practicing in their empty (closed) club. It was pretty cool. And no I did not get wasted. Just to clear that up.

Oh and huge perk—didn’t have to get up and get to work at 8, which means more sleep AND still getting to run in the morning.

Really couldn’t ask for a better summer. What else would I have been doing? Working 15 hours a week at Pretzelmaker and living at home, bored out of my mind? This has been way better for me (and my resume).

D*sire