bits of me

I'm done with college. It feels great and I feel accomplished, having journeyed for four years of my life. Graduating with Honors in Chemistry isn't a bad thing, right? =P

It is definitely a bittersweet feeling to leave a campus I have called home for the past four years. The people I have met, the professors I have had, the friends I have made all have become very close to me. I will miss them so much, and I will always call the chemistry department faculty and staff home. They have been so nice to me in countless ways that I can only begin to repay. Sadly, I cried when I left campus. Damn I'm such an emotional bastard... I hate leaving things behind. But at least I won't be leaving it too far behind. I'll be in the rough neighborhood, so that should be a nice feeling to visit sometimes. Well, I don't even know how often or if I would be able to visit, as I expect to be busy on the campus of the boarding school. The unknown can be daunting, but I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life.

To the following people, I give my unending thanks:

Dr. Curran: Thank you for putting up with me for the past two and a half years. Thank you for letting me break down in front of you on too many occasions. Thank you for teaching me that chemistry is both fun and exciting. You are honest and wise, and I can only hope to be as great as you are. I can only hope to be as loving and kind as you were to me and others around me. Also, thank you for letting me use your office as storage. This only adds to your generosity that I can only hope to emulate.

Dr. Mitzel: Thank you for being the most sarcastic person I have ever met. I appreciate your fun-loving attitude towards your students, especially me. Even though I dreaded being beat down with your sarcasm, I really think it helped me grow. Your teaching style has shaped me as a person and I have changed drastically. I have grown to like chemistry because it is fun and exciting, not just because it makes sense. I can only hope to be as motivating as you were to me.

Alison Draper: Thank you for allowing me to join into the Supplemental Instruction program. If I had not done SI, I probably wouldn't be where I am today without it. You gave me an amazing opportunity and had faith in my ability and me, and I appreciate that you have been my advisor under this program. There is no way to thank you enough.

Dr. Moyer: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work closely with you both in class and in the laboratory setting. You have many years of wisdom, both academic and practical life-long advice. You are very funny and have a friendly and loving attitude when it comes to chemistry. I will miss you dearly, and I hope to meet up for drinks very soon.

Dr. Prigodich: Thank you for writing a letter for me. Thank you for being kind to me, even though I may not have noticed it. I appreciate your simple honesty and generosity. Sometimes you may only say a few words, but they mean a lot. Having been in your class, I appreciated your common-sense approach to teaching. You have taught me a lot during the past two years, and I will always appreciate your impressive ability to do so much math without saying much at all.

Dr. Morrison: Thank you for helping escort me into the world of research. As much as I dreaded research during the first experience, I appreciate the advice you gave me as a sophomore/junior. You are very nurturing and made me feel comfortable and appreciated as a student. You took to me almost as one of your own kids, and I appreciate everything you have done for me, especially with your motherly advice and letting me store stuff in your basement.

Robin: Thank you for being my taste-tester. I appreciate the gift very much, and I will definitely put it to good use. Thank you for your bits of advice you have given me during the year. I appreciate everything you have done for me.

To all the rest of the faculty and staff, in no particular order (Prof. Rau, Prof. Nicaise, Dr. DePhillips, Dr. Krisch, Dr. Parr, Dr. Henderson, Dr. Church, Prof. Nestor, Mike Donagher, Prof. Fitzgerald, Kathy Mallinson): Thank you for all your wisdom over the years. Whether you have taught me or have interacted with me through SI, TAing, research, or just being in the building, I appreciate all you have done to help me get from being a lowly freshman student to a graduated chemistry major. You have taught me many things both inside and outside the classroom. I will always appreciate the time you spent to make my experience the way it was. There is no way to show my appreciation but to try to give to other with what you have given me.

And to all the chemistry and biochemistry related friends I have met and worked closely with, also in no particular order (Zephyr, Allison, Katie, Jee, Jack, Ashby, Dave, Laura, Andy, Adam B., Linda, DJ, Janiga, Neena, Tim, Katharine, Kwame, Piper, Jon N., and many, many others): You guys have been so great to me, and I appreciate everything you have done for me. Many of you may not realize how much I appreciate you just saying "Hello, how are you?". It means the world to me. I appreciate many of you being able to talk to me and sharing advice between each other. If I have ever offended any of you, which I hope is a rarity, I never mean what I really say. It is not in my nature to be harsh, and many of you known I only mean well. I wish all of you the best of luck in your studies, both students and recent graduates. I will miss seeing many of you on an almost daily basis, and I hope to keep in touch with many of you.

I can only hope that the people mentioned above will understand my appreciation, as they have made a difference in my life in more ways than one. Good-byes are always difficult.

I guess bitter can taste sweet. Well, maybe just a little sweet.

Yes. I. Got. The. Job. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! YES!YES!YES!YES! *huge sigh of relief*

I am so thrilled and happy about this. I wish that I could bottle up the feeling of satisfaction and happiness and keep it forever. I am so excited for this job, and I cannot wait until it starts. It also feels nice to be wanted by someone for something that I enjoy and am happy to do.

Yes.

I'm done. (well, sort-of) I just finished my undergraduate college career. Now, all I have to do is graduate next week and I will be finished for good. It feels good to be done with everything for college, except maybe the enjoying myself and partying my liver away... I am slightly bored on the first Saturday after classes and finals finished, but I need to rest.

On campus teaching job interview on Monday! =) Yippee... here comes senior week!