Dogs and Crap (Day 22)

Schedule

10:00 - 10:50 Organic chemistry lecture
1:00 - 2:15 Neuroanatomy laboratory
3:30 - 5:30 Work

I asked a question after lecture, and my professor told me it was a good one! I was pathetically ecstatic for the rest of the morning. I think I am part dog. You know, like the one that freaks out with uncontainable excitement when you so much as glance in their direction? 

Hmm... 
I feel as though I am being watched.

[Look down]

Dog:OHMYGOSH!HI!ILOVEYOUSOMUCH.
THANKYOUFORLOOKINGATME.

[Wag tail]

[Spin around] 

[Raise paw]

[Wag tail]

Yup. Moving on...

At work, I was recently asked to help the pathology peeps with slide labels... Be sure to read the following as if it was soaked in sarcasm solution for at least 24 hours.

[Typing]

[Doctor walks in]

Dr. H: Well, hello there! What are you up to today?

Me: Just working on slide labels... It's just so intellectually stimulating, you know?

Dr. H: It really is, isn't it?! Keep this up and we may promote you to taking out the trash!

I love my job. We give each other so much crap. Not too long ago, I did the same...

Coworker: Sam! Check out the yeast in the microscope!

Me: COOL!

[Scramble out of chair to race to the microscope]

[Look in microscope]

Huh...

Me: Yeah, not as cool now that I get to look at brain tissue in neuroanatomy lab.

Dr. H: Yeah, that is the problem with education... It is getting harder to impress you.

Oh, Dr. H. You will always be a badass to me. Next time, find something cooler than a unicellular organism, and it will all be just fine.

BRAINZZZZZZZZ.... and Other Stuff (Day 15)

Schedule

10:00-10:50 Organic chemistry lecture

1:00-2:30 Neuroanatomy lab

2:45-4:45 Work

5:00-6:00 Psychopharmacology review session

Today was awesome for three reasons:

1. I ignored my pride and asked a question after class. Seriously, one of the best little tidbits of advice for anyone in school is to clarify confusions as soon as you realize you did not understand a concept. In the past...

[Unsettling feeling]

Crap.

[Realizes confusion]

Um. Um. Um.

[Dismisses with a wave of the hand]

I'll look it up later.

Don't do this. If you, like me, play host to the leech otherwise known as procrastination, you will not attempt to purge this confusion until the day before the next exam. It is not as much fun as leaving a lecture knowing that you truly comprehended every topic (yes, my definition of fun may need some calibration).

2. We got to dissect sheep brains in neuroanatomy labs!

Disclaimer: All of the sheep lived long, happy lives frolicking in fields with sparrows and butterflies. They died of old age surrounded by loved ones, and they were kind enough to donate their organs in the name of science.

Superior/Dorsal View

Inferior/Ventral View

3. I almost beat my fastest 5K time! I missed it by one second! I blame my running partner; she has been a little sluggish as of late.

Stella!

Everybody okay? (Day 8)

Schedule

10:00-10:50 Organic chemistry lecture

12:00-1:50 Neuroanatomy lecture

3:30-5:30 Work

My organic chemistry professor is hilarious. Today, he went through several reactions and the many complications associated with each. At one point, he paused to assess our level of comfort with the material he presented.

Profesor: [Hesitates] Everybody okay?

[Class is silent]

Professor: [Shakes his head] Silly question...[Resumes lecture]

Yup.

... sums it up pretty well.

Twenty-One Units to Go (Day 2)

I am taking twenty-one units of awesomeness. Care to hear about them?

CHEM 109C Organic Chemistry (4 units)

I am excited to cover the chapters on carbohydrates, amino acids/peptides/proteins, coenzymes, lipids, and nucleic acids. Sounds bio-ish, doesn't it?

PSY 123 Cognitive Neuroscience (4 units)

As I took cognitive psychology last quarter, I have a pretty good foundation for this class. This class differs in that it approaches cognition from a biological perspective. I look forward to going into depth about the various methods of investigation, including single-cell recordings, neuroimaging, electrophysiological recordings, and brain stimulation.

PSY 122 Motivation (4 units)

Maybe I will learn how to regain my motivation to do well in my final quarter when my existential side inevitably rears its ugly head...

Existential Sam: Why are you working so hard? It's pointless. We are all going to die. 

Optimistic/Live-in-the-Moment Sam: SHHHHHHHHHHH

PSY 169L Laboratory in Neuroanatomy (5 units)

I love neuroanatomy. The task of differentiating between regions of the brain is extremely daunting (it's all squiggly!), but it is exciting to be able to do so with confidence. I have learned a great deal from past classes, but I look forward to continuing my exploration.

PSY 133 Psychopharmacology (4 units)

Neurotransmitters, pre- and post-synaptic drug actions, disorders ranging from psychosis to depression, and pharmacological treatments? Sounds like Christmas!