Capstone

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!  I got approved for my capstone research project! :) :) :)    :D :D :D    C: C: C:    (: (: (:

For most hard science majors, a capstone research project is required in order to graduate. The capstone usually includes working with a Doctor in his research and doing some type of formal report (and potentially get published). In the hard sciences, most people who go on to be Doctors will be doing research and not teaching. So, it is very important that undergraduates get some hands-on research before they graduate for experience in basic lab techniques and how to keep a very detailed laboratory notebook. For example, pretend I discovered a new biological control factor for plant parasitic nematodes. In my lab notebook, I have to write down every single step, every detail, the exact chemical/processes and where they were purchased from, EVERYTHING! This way, if someone wants to repeat the same exact experiment to make sure I'm not bullshitting, they can pick up my lab notebook and do the experiment without asking any questions. <-- This my friends, is one of the most valuable qualities you can have as a plant-pathologist.

Funny...but false.

Anyways, back to my capstone project. I will be working with Dr. Brian Hudelson, the UW-Extention professional on campus. He runs the plant diagnostic clinic where anybody can bring in a sample of a plant that is "sick". He in turn will diagnose the plant and tell them how to prevent it or lessen the impacts. Also, he goes to conferences and gives speeches, lectures, etc. I get to go along with him to see what a Plant Pathology conference is like. Basically, this capstone project is exactly what I want to be doing after I receive my Ph.D. Yup, not excited in the slightest. 

See...Plants are cool. They can grow on top of rocks.

Ever feel like you've been working so hard forever and things just aren't coming together quickly? Then suddenly, everything falls into place perfectly and you can't believe it? Well, that is the story of my life right now. The only thing I need to complete the puzzle of undergraduate study is being accepted into graduate school. I check my email like 5 times a day to see if any university emailed me. I probably won't hear until Feb/March but I'm still hoping everytime I open the stupid email. Besides that, everything else is fitting together perfectly. All my classes are lining up, the material is overlapping, I got accepted into the capstone project I desperately wanted, I have an incredible job, I'm attending university in the recession....everything. I'm so grateful for what I have...but I can't help but be impatient to hear back from grad schools. That is like the darn cake, not just the cherry on top.