Beautiful Los Alamos! I really do miss the mountains
during the semester. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
I enjoy learning about biochemistry because finding connections between different ideas, facts, and systems makes me really excited! Biochemistry has a lot of these connections because it requires us to think on large and small scales to understand life, from the atom to the cell to the organism. It makes me happy and full of wonder to see how the simplest chemistry concept allows the existence of complex functions and systems in the body. I don't know what I want to do career-wise yet, but I'm considering doing research. I chose biochemistry not because I had a certain career in mind but because I generally like studying it and I like a certain amount of stability, which a STEM major can provide.
Here is a blurry picture of me presenting my
summer research in Los Alamos.
My favorite things to do are playing the piano, spending time outside, reading (I like classics the best), and spending time with my friends or parents. I've played piano since I was 7, and it's been a big part of my life. I think I have more innate motivation to play piano than to do anything else! My favorite composer to play is Debussy (but I definitely haven't played all the big composers!), and I also really like playing jazz and gospel arrangements.
I know it's cliché because everyone loves it, but I'll still say it: I love to travel! Last semester I studied abroad in Arezzo, Italy, which was wonderful and definitely gave me the travel bug if I didn't have it before. For spring break, one of my friends and I rented bicycles in France and traveled on a bike trail by the Loire river for five days, visiting little villages and staying in Airbnbs along the way. I really enjoy visiting smaller towns since I'm not much of a city person and since the people are always so dang nice!
Cycling in France, with the Loire River
in the background!
Even though I had a great time abroad and am hoping to travel more someday, I must say that I'm also happy to be at OU again, surrounded by Chick-Fil-A and ready for another semester!
Oh, small world: where in North Carolina? I am living in North Carolina right now for family reason (my husband grew up in Chapel Hill), and I really like it here... although I am more of a New-Mexico-landscape person myself. I grew up in Tucson, and I love the desert!
ReplyDeleteAnd I really understand what you mean about biochemistry and connectedness. I've been reading books on neurobiology, and the science of brain chemistry is amazing! I try to visualize those chemical and cellular events going on in my brain, and of course I cannot really visualize it... but I do know incredible things are happening in there at every moment, both waking and sleeping!
I hope this class will be a way for you to explore these other passions like music, and beautiful foreign places like Italy and France. It's easy to put music videos in blog posts, so maybe you will even add some Debussy here, or find music to go with a story post later on. So many things can happen online that do not happen in a traditional MSWord document! :-)
Girl I am jealous you got to study in Arezzo! I went to Italy my freshman year of high school and have been dying to go back ever since then but my major does not have a study abroad option there! I think traveling is one of the most important things you can do in life so keep it up! And I have to agree with you, it sure is nice to be at the only school in the world with all you can eat Chick-Fil-A ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! I bet living in North Carolina is beautiful. My only time in North Carolina was a vacation in the Outer Banks at Nags Head. We rented a beach house, and it was the most beautifully warm water! It was like bath water! The beaches were also just picture perfect! Piano is something I've always wanted to learn, and since you've been playing for about your whole life, I'll bet your fantastic. Just an FYI, I just learned that Chick-Fil-A has breakfast burritos, and that was a game changer for me. Enjoy those nuggets.
ReplyDeleteHello Sally! Your passion for biochemistry is quite amazing. I took biochem for my fall semester in the last school year and my mind was blown away. It was a difficult subject to master, but I learned a ton of things from the class (and it was just the basic materials, I wonder how could you even deal with anything beyond this :D). I am glad that you are able to visit great places around the world. Good luck with the rest of the school year. Eat as much as Chick-Fil-A as you want and be happy!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! I'm so jealous that you got to be in Arezzo for a whole semester! I only went for a summer and it wasn't nearly enough time! It's nice to meet another girl who wants to go into research. I'm right there with you. And if Biochemistry is your major you're definitely braver than I am. Last Spring I took Intro to Biochem with Dr. Sims and it was one of the hardest classes I've ever taken. Good on ya!
ReplyDeleteHello Sally, Its great that you found a subject you enjoy in biochemistry. I'm an engineering student so I get your point on the connections between things and how fascinating it can be. Personally, I could never really get into chemistry. But I've heard biochemistry can be pretty interesting, and also really hard. Anyways, best of luck in all your classes.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally!
ReplyDeleteI'm a psychology major but I have really enjoyed the science classes I have taken at OU, and they have really changed how I think about psychology and all kinds of topics. I am so jealous you went to Italy and France, too! My family and I are considering a trip around Europe after I finish grad school. I think it's so cool that you can take the train to so many interesting countries and I'd love to spend a couple days in a bunch of them!
Hey, Sally! Over this summer I spent 3 months in your home state. I was working in Philmont. Not sure if you heard of that or not. It's up near Rayton.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could play the piano! I would love to play gospel music, and probably wouldn't get anything done if I could. It takes a lot of dedication to keep up, so it seems you've got quite a bit for playing it for so long.
I'm glad you found a field of study that you are interested in, as most people just pick whatever can get them the most money. So good on you for that!
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you came to OU for the fresh experience and to study biochemistry and all its glory. My own major is chemical biosciences, but I usually never tell people that because it's basically biochemistry. It's very rare to find someone who chooses a major based on their pure enjoyment for it. People mostly choose majors that have a set career path with a certain future. Traveling is such a integral part of the younger years and it's nice that you got to travel out of the country for it. I have yet to travel to Europe, but from what I read in your blog, it sounds amazing!
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteWow, the mountains are absolutely gorgeous! It’s cool that you have so much passion for biochemistry. I took a biochemistry class last semester and it was definitely a struggle. I admire that you’ve been playing piano for so long, I have always wanted to learn how to play an instrument. Your biking in France sounds like so much fun, that would be the perfect spring break trip!
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteTo start off, I really like your post's title! A major misconception that many people have about us STEM majors is that they assume we all have our lives planned out. I've known many engineering majors throughout my college career who are so exact in their career planning. For me personally, a Computer Science major, I am absolutely as lost as you are! It sounds so cool that your are so well traveled; I've always wanted to travel to Arezzo as well!
Good luck with the rest of the semester!
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteI love your reasoning for choosing the major you did. I, personally, am a Chemical Biosciences major because I knew this would help me with my future career. However, the passion you have for Biochemistry and its components really inspires me! I've never been to New Mexico, but that pic of the mountains is beautiful. Nice to meet you!
Hey Sally!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you on wanting to experience another state to live in for a while! I'm from Texas and I didn't look at any school closer than three hours away from home. However, I miss it like crazy and there's no way I could stay away forever! I can't even imagine leaving those gorgeous mountains that you left behind (for now)! I hope you get to see them again real soon!
I love reading as well but I never got the hang of the piano. My brother loves playing modern stuff on his keyboard and that's probably the closest I'll ever get.
Your spirit of adventure and bravery astound me! I don't know if I could bike with just me and a friend in France for five days and visit random people in cute little villages! That's so awesome that you did though!
Have a wonderful semester!
For someone that decided to name their introduction "the girl with no plans," you sure do seem to have a lot going on for you! Biochemistry wow.. I can't help but to gape when I meet biochem majors, because you guys really do have to put up with a lot. But hey, go STEM! I am so glad you have been bitten by the travel bug too, its the worst and best bug bite to have :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! I’m so glad to meet someone who’s genuinely interested in biochemistry because that’s rare, but definitely needed! It’s awesome to see how passionate you are in your area of study. The mountains in your picture looks like such a nice place to catch a break! I really wish I knew how to play the piano because it’s such a beautiful instrument. You’ll be great in what you decide to do. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGirl I get you, when I was abroad all I wanted was Cane's and Chick Fil a! I think you definitely made the right decision by majoring in what interests you rather than by a future career. My freshman year I took Major Exploration course which told us to choose a major by what we want to get up and study in the morning and it's so true! You'll figure out what you want to do and I've never heard of a biochemistry major keeping people from what they want to do! You can sell that to anyone!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your introduction and I think its so cool that you found your passion in Biochemistry. I took Biochemistry last fall semester with Sims and it was for sure one of the most difficult classes I’ve taken here at OU. However, I learned so much material from that class that really helped me on the MCAT and my future classes. I hope you are having a great semester!
Hello, Sally! It seems as though we have a lot in common! I am a chemical engineering major so I understand the desire to find connections and patterns in the real world through science. Also, I play piano and love reading classic novels. My favorite Author is Oscar Wilde and if you haven't you should definitely read The Picture of Dorian Gray!
ReplyDeleteHello Sally! I really enjoyed reading about how chemistry fills you with wonder. Both of my parents are chemical engineers, and they speak about chemistry the same way. It is so cool that you studied abroad in Arezzo! I studied there for a semester the fall of my sophomore year. They were still renovating the monastery at the time. Did you live in the monastery, or did you stay with an Italian family while you were there?
ReplyDeleteHi, Sally!
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud at the title of this page. I love the honesty! I’m very impressed about your degree and your research. I’m curious, what research were you presenting in that picture? I took Biochemistry several summers, as it is a requirement for medical school. I actually really enjoyed it! It was the first science class that I have taken where I was able to finally see practical applications, particularly through examining the metabolic pathways in the body. Since it was in the summer, it was a cram-packed course, but I still liked it a lot. I also had the opportunity to study in Arezzo! Because of your major, I wonder if you also did the O-Chem in Arezzo program? That was one of the best experiences I have ever had, and I’m sure it was the same for you. Good luck this semester!
Hi Sally! It was great to learn a little about you here. Bio majors are always incredibly impressive to me — you guys work so hard and have so much amazing knowledge! Also, Los Alamos seems beautiful — how do you like Norman in comparison? I also love to travel, but have never gotten anywhere as amazing as France or Italy — it looks lovely, you're lucky!! Best of luck with your semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! It is really cool you are a BioChem major. It is so cool that you got to go to Arezzo for a semester. I have a friend who also went last spring and she loved it too. I am so jealous. I have always wanted to go, but I am too chicken. Good luck with the rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! New Mexico is a beautiful place you are so lucky to have grown up there. I am glad you chose Oklahoma to visit. I too chose my major because I was interested in the subject. But my major (philosophy) has no clear path whatsoever. It is so cool that you learned to play piano at such a young age and continue to play now.
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Biochemistry major, I wholeheartedly agree on the beauty, so to speak, of biochemistry. It’s important that you study something you enjoy, even if you don’t have a plan for it. Traveling is a common feature in these introductions, but I get it. It’s fun to see a whole new part of the world you live on.
I wish you good luck for the rest of your time at OU. Nice title, by the way.
Hey Sally!
ReplyDeleteInteresting life you have lived so far. I also agree that New Mexico truly is a beautiful state, my family used to travel there about once every other year, and it was always a blast. I also liked reading about how you seem to be in love with your major, which is a very important aspect to have in college!
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteI used to be a biochem major too, but taking organic chemistry and physics together made me change my mind haha! I’m so jealous that you got to go to Italy last semester! I want to study abroad, but I’m a math major so there aren’t a lot of options for me! It’s so nice to meet you!
Sally, It is so nice to meet you! It sounds like you have found a career path that you are really passionate about, which is awesome! I cannot believe you had the opportunity to bike and travel over spring break. That sounds like such a blast! I am excited to find put more about you throughout the rest of the semester.
ReplyDeleteHello Sally and welcome to Oklahoma! I am originally from California but ended up here and it has been hard to leave haha. Reading is a good way to unwind and relax. Classics are good for that as well. Chick-fil-a is amazing in itself. So what made you decided in biochemistry? I have always been interested in playing the piano but never found the time or courage to possibly learn it. Maybe it might be time to try.
ReplyDeleteHello there Sally! Wow it is so great to see a fellow scientist in this class! I loved looking at your research you did on Oligopeptoids! I am doing research as well, I am currently finding the effects of Waste Vegetable Oil in high concentration Recycles Asphalt Pavement Binder and I am happy to say I am getting very exciting results! The benefit is it would save us tons of money making roads and make the roads made of lots of recycled materials which is good for the environment. Hope everything is going well!
ReplyDeleteHi Sally!
ReplyDeleteBiochemistry sounds fascinating! I've always loved science, and was really wanting to major in something STEM related when I came back to school, but I hadn't taken a math class in 15 years and realized that it would take years of remedial math courses to get me back to where I needed to be...the task just seemed too daunting. It sounds like you have a lot of varied and eclectic interests. That's awesome! It can be so easy to focus on only one or two hobbies and it can be really limiting. Your time in Europe sounds wonderful. Italy is one of the main countries that I wanted to visit while I was there, and one of the only ones that I didn't get to. I will definitely be going back, hopefully a lot. Hope your semester is going well!
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteProps to you on your major. That sounds challenging (science is not my strong suit), but it sounds like you enjoy it greatly! That's awesome that you chose OU out of all the possibilities. What sparked your interest in moving here? Was there a big deciding factor? I grew up in Oklahoma and I always hoped to attend school at OU. I also love to travel! Arezzo sounds so fun, and I've heard many great things about it. Good luck to you this semester!
Sally, the title of your introduction had me cracking up because I can feel it in my soul. Sometimes I also feel like I have no real plans. Your major is pretty serious, though, so I am sure that you will end up going far! Congrats on getting to present your research. That's a big deal!
ReplyDeleteHello Sally!
ReplyDeleteI am from the Epics of India Class! I just realized we had Organic Chemistry Lab together this semester ! Thank God it is over with now ! I did not know you are from North Carolina. That is pretty cool. Keep pushing girl. Nothing easy is worth having. I wish you all the luck and success ! P.S YOU CAN NEVR GO WRONG WITH CHIC-FILA