As of writing this, it is currently June 1, 2024. I have just completed my first week and I have a lot to say. It was a bumpy start due to my mentor not expecting me until next week so he had no activities or assignments for me to do. However, I did have a pending assignment of reading 4 scientific papers and writing slides and notes for them, so that’s what I focused on. I came in at 9 and wrote until 12 where I had my lunch and took a walk around campus until 1. I usually had lab safety training/tours around 1 – 4 depending on the day so I would schedule my work days around it and showed up 10 minutes early every time to avoid frustrations. I was taught how to sample and how to use an advanced microscope but nothing too serious or for too long (1 to 2 hours). I really get along with 2 people at the lab (besides my mentor) named Lily and Alex, they are very kind and very patient with me. Everyone is always busy so it’s hard to really get a conversation going. In terms of outside the lab, I planned to meet up with Adrian for lunch and hopefully, I can invite other people to join us in the upcoming days. I didn’t get too many pictures this week since I was so nervous and busy with writing and making slides but I will go crazy next week, I may even bring a camera or Polaroid. I did make new friends and talked to new people outside and inside the labs. Looking forward to next week and excited to present my presentation to my mentor. Also, almost forgot, I met Ms. Umezaki at yesterday’s event, she worked with Dr. Pasquali and is interested in making arrangements to have me at her lab or have me visit sometime! I’m honored to even be considered for another lab and having read her work I feel like her team is very talented (although it’s not a competition). Hopefully, I can prove myself to everyone around me and can meet people at the adjacent lab and figure out a way to also talk to everyone there. It will not deter my determination nor will it shift my focus away from my overall project. I am very excited!