Day 9

In the lab, we did some housekeeping. Refilling the boxes with pipette tips, and going on a hunt for the yellow pipette tips that they’re in dire need of. They have a bunch of the wrong kind without beveling so when you add them to an auto-pipettor, they just fall off! Anyways, it led to the opening of a bunch of boxes and seeing what was within. We also picked up some boxes of bottles from the supply store here. We had to go a bit outside the building rolling along one of those pushable platforms so we had to use the elevator. I’ve noticed that no one uses the elevator here, everyone climbs stairs. It’s actually faster to climb stairs! The elevator moved so slowly I couldn’t even feel it!

I also mixed up some B-buffer solution which was more like chemistry than biology. Weighing out a bunch of different compounds, using a stirring rod, testing pH, it was very comforting to know what I was doing for once. I made something else too, just adding 5 mL of certain things and dumping premeasured things in, but I had to do it in the PC2 lab so some prep work was involved. So I got to do a bit more on my own.

I finally got my own id pass so no more visitor badges. I had to wait a bit for the guy to show up who does the pictures. And he actually used an oldish Polaroid type camera, none of this electronic, press a button on the computer pictures here. It says occupational trainee on it (aka intern) and now I can get into buildings. While I was waiting I was talking to Wasa who’s the head safety officer guy of this group. He was interested to learn that I’m a forensic chemistry major and since he has connections in the forensics area, he’s going to get me a tour! I’m excited since it’s pretty high security to get in. I would see the trace area since the DNA analysis section is under construction and the morgue, well that’s not really related to my passion.

We left pretty late, so back at home: I ate, took a shower, went a bit on the computer, and then called my parents, and brothers in Maine. We chatted for an hour. I’m a tad jealous of their warm weather, but glad not to be in Cincy with 90s F!

Interesting fact: Aussies really do say mate all the time. I thought it was exaggerated. Also, they’re all super friendly. At least all the random people I’ve met are.