Busy Summer

As you may have noticed, I have not updated my blog since June, and it is now almost mid-August. Here are a few updates of what I have been up to-

Research- I've been trying to get a lot done this summer in lab before classes start again, but I'm having some difficulties with some polymerizations so work has been going a bit slow. In addition, I had a summer research student (actually a teacher but that's another story) who I had to mentor this summer, which also consumed some time. Her last day was actually yesterday, and though her project didn't go exactly as planned, the data we got from her project will be useful to me as I try to finish it up. I'm supposed to be getting an undergrad this fall who is interested in hydrogels for biomedical applications so I'm thinking that he can continue on the project from my summer student. We'll see how things turn out...

Visiting North Carolina- I made it down to NC for a week in the middle of July for my summer vacation. Brian and Rachel brought down Abby with them from Connecticut, so I got to see my niece for the first time (I'll post pictures later, but I'm currently at a lab computer running an experiment so I don't have them with me). We stayed near Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks, and I managed to get a lot of reading done as well as lots of rest. Before heading back, I was also able to see a good number of my friends in Chapel Hill who were there for the summer or hadn't already graduated yet. I drove back from North Carolina in the minivan that Kristin used to drive (she now has a Mazda Tribute so I acquired the party wagon). On the way, I stopped by Aunt Carlene and Uncle Bob's house in Tennessee and was able to visit with them and Dawn as well as see their new house which I hadn't seen since it was being built. My friend Joel accompanied me on the trip so I wouldn't have to drive alone, and he flew out the day after we got back to Chicago. Also before making it back, I swung by the grandparent's to pick up some corn and visit. I had 96 ears in the back of the van before we headed out, and it was gone within 2 weeks. I wouldn't mind having some more right about now....

I've got about three weeks left until I have to move into my new place. I'm waiting to hear back from my new landlord as to when we're able to move in, since our lease at our old apartment ends on Aug 31 and I can't move in until Sept 1. I do have some friends I can stay with or my five roommates and I may need to go camping or something for a night. I heard from my friend Sapana that she'll be moving to Chicago that same weekend, so maybe if I snag some free time I can go down to South Chicago and help her move in.

Alright, I'll try to post some pictures later. I don't really have many except for the beach pictures, but I'll try to post some pictures of my new place once I move in. I hope everybody is doing well, and I'm sorry for not posting in so long!