Well, I really haven’t had to chance to make any journal entries, so…

I’VE FINISHED EVERYTHING FOR INTEL!!!!!!!!!!!! MY PAPER IS GOING TO INTEL!!!!!!! AKLDJFALKDFJALKDFJALKFDJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111




OK, I am the happiest person alive right now. Seriously. I’ve been working on Intel for more than a year (since October). And, well, I usually never write about mentorship, so I thought I’d dedicate my journal to my experience starting from mentorship up until now

IF YOU THINK THIS WILL BORE YOU, PLEASE SKIP DOWN UNTIL YOU SEE MEMES IF THAT'S ALL UR INTERESTED IN

At the beginning of my junior year in high school, I began to search for my mentor. My mom told me about this medical center where I could potentially find someone who’s research I was interested in. In the pathology department, I found my mentor (we’ll call him Dr. H so as not to reveal names). I sent him an email asking if he would be kind enough to teach me about what he studies and supply me with a potential project I could enter into Intel next year. He replied back telling me to give him a call.

I was soooo nervous, you have no idea. I called him during science research class (with my teacher Ms. Cooper right next to me as I began to panic) and he set up a date to meet up. When I first met him I was late xD But he didn’t really care, which was awesome (b/c I felt like a total idiot). I thought I was going to go through a whole “interview” process, but it turns out that all he said was, “So, when can you start?”

I began coming to him every Thursday for 2 hours so he could teach me all about what he does. I got homework from him, though >_> But that was fine xD He would give me a paper to read every week and the next time I saw him we would discuss it. The first paper he gave me I could not understand at all. It was called Long-Term Memory Requires PolyADP-ribosylation (I was like o_O). But he explained it, and explained it well.

He would give me a new paper every week, and I would always have sooo much trouble understanding them. Sometimes I still wouldn’t understand what he gave me, but I always managed to get the main gist of it. To help myself, sometimes I would try to summarize what I read. It sort of helped –coughnotreallycough-

A few months in, Dr. H began to ask me to explain what I read. I never managed to do it xD And I was always so scared. I would stay up the night before till 1 to 2 am trying to understand the papers >< I would highlight what I thought was important, blah blah blah~

By around February, I had finally gotten my ID to officially start working at the medical center (the process was so long and boring, I won’t give u the details. Just know that I had to sit through a 3-4 hour lecture and then run around the entire campus from, like, 12 to 4 just trying to get my picture taken for my ID).

I began to learn different techniques and how to use equipment and stuff. The first day of experimenting, I spilled isopropyl alcohol on my work station 8D I was so embarrassed and ashamed xD But this work station I spilled isopropanol became my work station for the rest of my mentorship ^^ (good thing I spilled there, my work station has more space than everyone else’s xD)

While working for Dr. H, I met this really amazing guy. He became my lab partner and we instantly clicked. He’s just so friendly and easy to bug and tease xD We became instant friends although we only saw each other two or three times from February to June

So, I learned the techniques. It took me from February to June, but I learned them! Dr. H was really impressed with me because I’m really good handling a pipette xD He also didn’t need to teach me dilutions (he went on and on and on about it xDD I could calculate them in five seconds and he would be like “ WHAT?”

Finally Dr. H and I began to discuss possible projects. I really wanted to work with rRNA and protein synthesis. My lab partner (let’s call him Mob) then got to study degradation machinery (which I didn’t want to do b/c I didn’t like learning it too much)

We planned out my experiment after that I told him I would be working over the summer to perform my experiment This began in the beginning of July. Mob was there practically every day I was, so we spent A LOT of time together. It was awesome xD We would help each other out and everything.

So, over the summer I met the most awesome people. Mob was one person. I also met this extremely bright girl, Natasha. She made my neuron cultures for me and Mob to stimulate. She was sooo smart, and we were always like, “Natasha!” when we needed help xD And she was always willing to give help, which is what I admire about her

Then there was Diana. She and Mob were alwaaaaaaaays fighting xD It was hilarious to watch. We became a little trio for a few weeks

There were also the colleagues of Dr. H that were extremely nice. Dr. A was so awesome…he likes calling me Kim Possible :’D (I heard Dr. H actually gave him the idea). Then there was Dr. G, who was really nice all the time And finally there was Dr. S. This guy had an MD/PhD!! And you know why this is so spectacular? It’s because I ended up teaching him about techniques. I helped him learn RNA purification, reverse transcription, and how to set up an RT PCR xDD and I’m only in high school! I felt so special :3

The reason I loved working for Dr. H was because I felt so independent. He went on vacation for a week, so it was just Mob and I in the lab. He totally trusted us, and we got a lot done. I was so proud ^^

Dr. H even trusted us with his new PCR machine (it was, like, $50,000 wat wat ) We learned how to use it ourselves and know it better than anyone else in the lab (including Dr. H himself ;D). On this machine, I’m able to program an experimental set up I want to do. Then I pipette for HOURS. And then I place the tubes in the machine and BAM! Results ;D

So, lemme give a small overview of what I did. I had neuron cells on these plates, right? I bathed them in chemicals for various times (I did a lot of different bathings/stimulations to find out the best ones). Afterwords, I “urified” the RNA. This means I removed the RNA from the neurons (cool, right? Yeah, this is totally how rebellious teenagers spend their summers). Then I converted the RNA to DNA through reverse transcription After that, I did RT PCR to get results

Our lab has a fridge with all our stuff. I have a few boxes of stuff for myself xD I have cDNA in my box, as well as primers. The cool thing is that these are mine and people have to ask permission to use them xD Especially since I’m the only one who knows what they are xD

Every time I ran out of something, I’m able to make more. Like, “aw man, I’m out of 2µM GAPDH primer…guess I’ll just have to make some more!” xD It makes me feel so independent! And I’ve sort of lacked that in life, so it was such a nice turn around

I made a video of my experience in the lab to show my mom. I wear a lab coat and gloves all the time xD The lab coat is mine, which is really cool. Has my name on it (on the inside tag, not the outside ><

The experience was amazing. I met so many cool people and learn so many cool things…the lab became like a second home to me I’m going to continue working in the lab (hopefully) because I just loved it so much

NOW FOR MY INTEL PAPER AKDFJAL;DFKJALKJ

I actually did begin writing it in the summer. SRSLY. DON’T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT

I wrote a really bad introduction. Like, REALLY bad. I had my teacher edit it in September. From there, I wrote my first good introduction draft xD It kept getting edited and edited and editedddddd…………. UGH, IT WAS SOOO MUCH EDITING.

It got edited up until LAST NIGHT. That’s right! I’ve been editing that freakin’ intro since SEPTEMBER xD

After my second intro draft, I wrote my methods draft. That needed editing too. I managed to complete my final methods a few days ago.

And what of my results and discussion? Well, I did those Friday. THAT’S RIGHT, FRIDAY.

You wanna know what I’ve gone through?? I’VE STAYED AFTERSCHOOL UNTIL 8 PM!!!! And you know what? Despite all the hard work…it was actually fun ^^ All the science research students got bonding time together Our teachers are honestly amazing for staying afterschool so late.

We ordered pizza and it took us 15 minutes to finally accumulate the money for it xD We’re supposed to be a bunch of scientists, and yet we can’t add up money xD

So, I worked hard on my paper, sent it to be edited over the weekend (I woke up early Saturday and began non-stop working on my paper so I could send it to my teachers before 8 pm). I got the edits back from my teacher at 3 TO 5 AM. I feel so bad for Ms. Brustein for doing that, but I’m really grateful (our teachers aren’t obligated to do any of this).

SO, all of Sunday was editing!!!!!! NOTHING BUT EDITING. I didn’t sleep last night. At all. xD I began to panic b/c I needed this form, but my mom is amazing and she got it for me (I LOVE YOU, MOM!). So, I stayed afterschool today and finished up my paper

AND IT’S DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS ENTIRE YEAR OF HARD WORK, IT’S DONE!!! MY PAPER SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO INTEL!!!!!!!!!!!! DDDDDDD

I’ve wanted to enter Intel ever since junior high. And now, I’ve finally been given the opportunity, and that’s all I can really ask for. I really hope my research benefits future studies of long-term potentiation (and long-term synaptic plasticity in general). I worked so hard, and it’s so nice to see it paid off

My paper is officially 19 pages XD 19 BEAUTIFUL PAGES <33 There’s a 20 page max limit, so I barely made it xD

So, Intel is finally behind me as of today, and now I think I’ll actually have some free time for myself ^^ (oh wait, college apps…nevermind o_O) OH, and my mentor wants me to do a presentation in front of his colleagues about my work…AKLDJALSDK NOT READY FOR THAT, TOO SCARY DD: (xD)

MEMES!!

Well, that probably bored u all, but I had to get it all out of my system. Now, for those of you who skipped over that, here are some memes (stolen from ~crimsonobsidianrose):


Meme 1:
• Leave me a comment saying “I just lost the game.”
• I’ll respond by asking you five questions so I can satisfy my curiosity.
• Update your journal with the answers to the questions.
• Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions.

1. What was your first dream job as a kid?
My first dream job? Ok, well, the first-first was a superhero xD I actually did want to be a superhero, but since I don’t think that counts as a job, I’ll say paleontologist. Yes, I was a normal kid…SHUT UP D: I loved dinosaurs to no end and I wanted to study them for the rest of my life. My teacher was always so (weirded out) impressed with me because my journal entries would always be about dinosaur facts (like the weirdo I am)

2. Would you rather have the ability to read minds, or to speed read (as in, look at the page and know what it says)?

READ MINDS, of course~ It’d be interesting to know what people REALLY think of me (and to find out if someone likes me, oh ho ho~) xD And also, speed reading would take away from reading fanfiction. I like to read fanfics slowly to savor the moment

3. What is your favorite comfort food?

Hm…this is a tough one…chocolate? xD Actually, I’d have to say chicken flavored Cup Noodles with some green tea. I feel really relaxed as I eat it and it gives me time to think things over if I’m down

4. How do you feel now that Intel is done? XP

While I feel that the above entry adequately describes just this, for those that skipped all of that, IT’S AMAZING, I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HOW I DID, I FEEL SO ACCOMPLISHED, EVEN IF I DON’T GET INTO THE NEXT ROUND I STILL COMPETED, NOW FOR OTHER CONTESTS, WOOT!

…:’D

5. What is your fun, not-job related goal for your life?

Another tough one…I really want to learn another language fluently! Preferably Spanish at this point. It’s part of my culture, so should really learn to speak it >< (I’m half Puerto Rican~)

Meme 2:

1. Comment on this post if you want to
2. On request, I will give you a letter
3. Think of 5 fictional characters whose names begin with that letter
4. Post their names and your comments on these characters in you LJ


(I know what you were getting at, Rose! xD)

1. Arthur Kirkland- Just the most amazing character in all of Hetalia. I’ve finally come to the fact that he is my favorite character in the entire fandom (and it’s all Arthur’s Phases fault! /shakefist) xD I love everything about him, how he has so many different sides to him that complete one person. He can be gentlemanly and a rebel at the same time. It’s all because of England’s history, of course (thank you, English people, for having such a history so it could influence Arthur Kirkland). His character is wonderful to work with and there are so many different things you can write about him

2. Alfred F. Jones- The second most amazing character in all of Hetalia xD. Once again, I love him for his personality. I think he personifies America very well, with all of the proper stereotypes. What I like best about Alfred is his ability to adapt to so many people and places. Even though people say America isn’t cultural, it’s the fact that we can incorporate and integrate so many cultures into our own makes for one diverse character. My favorite part about living in NYC is because of its diversity, which is why I love Alfred so much.

3. A from the Death Note novel- he’s the one that committed suicide. The reason he exists (idk if he’s even in the novel o_o) is b/c of this amazing fanfic about his ghost’s interaction with Mello. It was amazing, and the fic made me have my own head canon about him. I picture him as someone who knows the cruelty of the world and wanted an escape. The meme said “fictional character” so even if he’s not in the real fandom, he’s in my head canon

4. Alfred from Batman- who doesn’t love that kickass butler? xDD He seems like such a put together guy who’s also had exciting adventures in his past XD

5. Alexander Corvinus from Underworld- He’s the origin of the vampire and werewolf breeds. He was infected with a virus that manipulated his genes to give him immortality. His sons had the same gene, and one was bitten by a wolf while the other was bitten by a bat. I like this character b/c he’s the one that cleans up his sons’ bloodthirsty crimes. He knows his sons are monsters, but refuses to kill them. He can be blamed for the world’s suffering from the vampire lycan warfare, but you also have to take into consideration his position as a father. Could you kill your own children?

Meme #3


Give me a pairing and I will write a love note from one to another. The pairing can be my character and yours, mine and someone else’s, or anything that strikes your fancy as long as I know who they are.


Well, that’s all folks!







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