Let's See What Happens...
“Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get.” – Mark Twain
Two weeks into this program I’m finally starting to figure out what it is I’m expecting to get out of being here. I’ve already learned a ton about working with living organisms, and how very different (and at times frustrating) it is to live by their schedule and not mine. I learned quickly not to expect fast success, even when I’m convinced I’m close to winning some small lab-room victory.
There are a lot of setbacks in scientific research. For me, my worms’ eggs don’t hatch, and those resilient few that do, stubbornly refuse to grow. But things always get better, which leads me to my most hopeful expectation for the summer. I don’t want to make some huge break-through discovery or publish a paper after only 8 weeks. I do, however, want to experience one of those “gee whiz” moments, as Dr. Baugh puts it, where all of the hard work and past failures seem to come together and things just click. I want to get this small look into the researcher’s world and find a taste of that feeling that keeps them going when everything seems to be going awry.
Outside of the lab, my expectations are to meet new people and have a blast. I’m already on the way to accomplishing this goal—tomorrow a bunch of us are heading out to the shore for some beach time! Can’t wait! I have a feeling it’s going to be a good day.
