So here is the rest of the deal (part deux),

This past Friday (8/4) marked an important day for me; it was the end of my research! I sort of have mixed feelings about the whole deal. On one hand, I had an incredible opportunity to make connections and gain invaluable experience, and on the other hand, it could have been more productive.

My professor did not spend very much time with me, and that left me sort of wondering what I should be doing, how to take care of things, and how much I should really get accomplished. After the Symposium, however, I realized that I was on track with the rest of the students. I feel, however, that I could have gotten so much more done with a little more help and guidance... o well.

The summer flew by so fast for me. After I started working hard on my project, the weekdays were over before they started it seemed, and time was just going by. I am VERY glad that I was given such a great opportunity at Wash U. this summer. I think it has helped me realize that Grad School is definitely in my future. I came to this not because of the work I did, but I saw all of the work that was going on. I saw all of the other grad students' projects and it got me very excited to know that will be me soon enough. Being able to do research on my own project, finding information no one else has, designing experiments and drawing my own conclusions... all of this seems incredibly wonderful, and I can't wait to get started.

So all in all, it was a very good summer. Although I didn't get out of the actual research what I wanted, I got out of the experience what I needed,and that's the most important part.

Until next time...

Joe