University of Wisconsin-River Falls Cell Biology Day 31: EXPERIENCE 31
Are you ready for the Mbappé special?
Because after (almost) five weeks of nonstop science and stress, I don’t feel like writing anything for this blog. It’s ok though because Kai and I made a very successful vlog together (it was actually all just Kai), so you should definitely watch that instead of reading this.
Still here? Fine.
I was rudely awoken this morning by the incessant beeping of my roommate’s alarm clock because, lo and behold, I ignored my own alarm just minutes before. Today was a really busy day, and unfortunately, I had no energy for anything. Which is why my breakfast ended up being a Coke while I frantically tried to finish my manuscript to be turned in promptly at 11. Luckily, my group and I finished with loads of time (thirty minutes??) to spare so we decided to practice very thoroughly for our poster presentations. By that I mean we practiced three times and decided it was good enough. While Wisconsin has had some pretty nice weather, these past few days have been horrible outside because of some wildfires. So, my lab group and I headed back to the dorms.
Seriously. It hurts to breathe.
Lunch today was pretty good but everyone was stressing for the presentations right after, so we headed up to the hammocks and swinging chairs to relax. Behold, my beautiful roommate Airam absolutely mogging:
Airam in a swinging chair?? Idk what they are called but they are very comfortable.
Next up: presentations. Mission? Try not to forget all the information.
My group and I were placed right where we belonged, next to the trash cans. It was also one of the most highly-trafficked locations, so no thank you to whoever put up the posters. Presentations went well overall but we ended up presenting to one of our AADs’ bosses; he kept asking questions and requesting more information…I think we did well nonetheless.
From left to right: Alyson, Me, and Jeffrey in front of our poster.
From left to right: Gabby, Saanvi, and Kai in front of their poster.
Arguably the most important part of the poster presentation session was the food. Well, that and getting to learn from other groups in cell biology and also some kids in the Astro cohort!
Cell bio wannabes. I mean astro kids…duh.
After the presentations were over (thirty minutes before we thought they would end, yay!) we unfortunately had to say goodbye to one of the Cell Biology students, Molly, who had to catch her flight early. After some speeches from the TAs and the AADs, we congratulated Molly as she got her certificate, some candy, and her very own plate award for “Best Makeup Artist”.
When we were finished saying our goodbyes, we headed back to the dorms. Once there, my friends and I decided to give Elena a makeover (not that she needs one) and she looked absolutely stunning!
Makeup artists Airam, Mohika, and Yesha figuring out how to give Elena a makeover in twenty minutes.
We ran to dinner (we weren’t late, thankfully) where everyone was excited because we were (practically) done with SSP! No more analyzing data, freaking out about failed EcoRI digests, or answering questions about our research. Everyone wore our matching Cell Bio ‘26 merch and was getting excited for the Talent Show (look at the blog for videos!). Here’s Kai being an absolute baddie on stage as the opening act!
Kai covering Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
My personal favorite act of the Talent Show (and the best, in my unbiased opinion) was the Girls’ Act where we sang What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction while dressed as guys. I’ve also been told that I look better as a guy (or a masc lesbian)… so there’s that.
Who needs huzz when there is me and Elena?
Recap of the Girls’ Act.
As with everything I have done at SSP, I’m now writing this blog after hours of procrastination. SSP has been an amazing experience where I got to learn so much from not only the AADs but also the students. I’ve made many friends, gotten less sleep than should be allowed over the summer, and gotten to explore the cultures of everyone here at SSP! Throughout this whole journey, the one thing that kept me going was the hope of getting to see France in the World Cup finals in the comfort of my own home…I guess I am just going to see if my flight will have the semifinals on since they play right as I head back to Cali. I am so very grateful to have been given this opportunity but I am very ready to head home. I can’t wait to actually have a relaxing summer—writing college apps, preparing music supplementals, asking out the huzz, and, oh yeah, having to start school again in TWO WEEKS. Senioritis has already hit but it’s ok because SSP has made it so that T20s will be begging for me. Trust.
Anyways, it’s time for me to start working on the QOD now, because I want that cheese plushie (let it be known that I’ve won two of the four weeks so far). Beyond that, I will probably start packing and looking forward to the flight home. I’m so thankful for this amazing experience and will miss everyone! Au revoir and 안녕히 계세요!
Sunset near May Hall on the walk back to dorms.
UPDATE: Here is a very important picture that must be included in the blog.
From left to right: Amanda, Evelyn, and Saanvi dying Evelyn’s hair in the basement. Apparently June’s was dyed too.
Hello again! My name is Maya H. and I’m from Santa Cruz, California. I play piano, violin, and help teach martial arts at my local dojo! In my freetime, I like to crochet, read, and hang out at the beach. SSP has been a fantastic experience and I’m so grateful for my time here.
Hi there! My name is Kai N. and I’m from Nha Trang, Vietnam. I like to play guitar, uke, and oil paint in my freetime. I was very lucky to have Maya as my blog partner because she did the entire thing for me! But jokes aside, SSP will hold a very special place in my heart and I am so incredibly thankful for everything the program and people here have given me the past 5 weeks.
