Bu-Bye for Now

On this charming sunday afternoon, I am technically writing my last blog as a spring semester blogger. It is therefore time for some reflective, reflexive, introspective thinking thoughts, if you know what I mean. My bosses recently informed me that a lot of people read this blog - so thanks to everyone who has checked in on occasion. It is hard to imagine the people who pass through here - invisible internet spectators. I kinda imagined myself as articulating my thoughts out into an empty web connection. My summer contract starts next week, and I will work on making this blog more interactive. I would love to hear many many more comments - disagree with me, agree with me, whatever. Just let me know I am not alone is cyberspace! Anyways, I think many of us college students are about to begin the final sprint towards the end of the year - I have to write 5 papers in 2 weeks and soon I take an environmental geochemistry final. But, I wanted to invite you all to tune into my summer exploits, starting next week. My summer program, the Howard Hughes summer program at Wesleyan, starts on May 28th. Here is a tantalizing spippet of what is to come.

Meet Professor Sultan - I will be working in her lab this summer on cross-generational plasticity. (In my opinion, cross-generational plasticity essentially confirms some of Lamarck's old and crazy ideas about evolution). She is stern, funny and incredibly intelligent. She also has the reputation of not messing around. Ever. She calls the plants in the lab, "her people."

Meet the greenhouse - the warm, misty place where I shall spend lots of time potting and repotting plants. There are cool things in the greenhouse which I am not allowed to touch yet. Like crazy hoses, artificial rain and millions of baby plants.

Me - an untrained would-be researcher who is more interested in policy issues than in experimental design (shhhh, don't tell). A girl who is living away from home for her first summer, in a large 6 person house. Luckily, she's got her boyfriend, and her two baby turtles (Shakira and BamBam) to keep her company.

Expect grilling, lots of tofu, obsessive plant talk and more.

Best of luck to all,
Emily

PS. If anyone has any helpful comments to make, or suggestions for improvement, please please let me know. Starting next week I will be blogging more frequently and your comments can help guide my thoughts.