An Introduction

Hello fair readers (if you, in fact, exist).

Here we are in the summer of 2007, which, in the lovely state of Texas, has been one of the rainiest summers on record. Crazy but true: it has rained more in Texas this summer than in Seattle. In fact, I even find myself pining for a hot, sunny, 100+ degree day, the kind that's perfect for floating down a chilly spring-fed river with a cooler of your favorite beverages. If only.

But I diverge. Anyhow, here in the summer of 2007 I'm just starting the long road that is an MD/PhD program. Here at UTHSC-Houston (if any UT admin-type folks ever find this, hi! and I promise to only say good things! really!) first year MD/PhD students are encouraged to do 1 or 2 research rotations the summer before medical school. Being the enterprising student that I am (read: having no life) I chose to do two short rotations. This was for two reasons: 1) I really don't know what sort of biology research I'd like to do, and 2) if I really didn't like a lab, I'd only be there 5 weeks! I chose labs at MD Anderson for both rotations because cancer is pretty cool (scientifically, that is) and I figured I couldn't go wrong with MD Anderson. So far, I'm thinking about studying cancer immunology - finding ways to help one's immune system fight tumors.

Next week is my last week of research, then medical school starts August 20th! In between now and then I'm taking my only week of vacation this summer (sad, I know) for a family vacation to Indiana. We'll drive around the state, see grandparents, attend a family reunion, and look at lots of corn fields - which means eating lots of sweet corn! Also, I start training for a sprint triathlon next week, which should be fun/crazy. So far I've been working on getting up to speed on the running, but the real moment of truth will be October 14th. Wish me luck! and for no injuries!

Other than that, I'm lucky to have loving parents just an hour down the road, a loving boyfriend three hours down another road, friends all across the state/country/world, and 2 plants on the front porch that keep me company.

Welcome!