The Research Begins

Today I began my wine research with Rachel. She is researching the removal of the proteins in white wines using phytic acid compared to the commercial use of bentonite. It is so cool! Basically I get to play until I graduate! I have only been in a real lab for my basic science classes at Tech. Those lab experiences were pretty much a joke. I took chemistry last semester and it is rewarding to actually use that knowledge. It's a good thing I know the basics because this research is fairly advanced. I am also learning about publishing. That is something that terrifies me! I don't like writing papers, especially academic ones. But, seriously, how cool would it be to publish a paper as an undergraduate????
Ok, so ready for the coolest part?!
Well, I met the Phd in charge of all this research. First of all, he teaches this class about wines of the world and the lab is basically an educational wine tasting. Don't worry, I WILL be taking this class and I get to assist with setting up the labs. BUT, he also wants me to do my OWN research project and publish my own paper!!! I didn't have the heart to tell him that research terrifies me and I have next to no idea what Rachel is doing, much less what my own research would be. I could see the wheels turning in his head though...he is going to make this happen. So, the elementary teacher might possibly graduate with a EC-6 generalist, 4-8 math and science, and ESL certification along with a published research paper in a legit science journal. Watch out world, here I come!

Sunday Is My Favorite Day

Sunday is the day for reflection and renewal. I think it is my favorite day...this Sunday in particular. You see, today is the day a new chapter in my life begins. I am strong! I have always been strong for everyone else, but from now on, it will be for me. I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished and I have nothing to prove. I want to look back upon these days and know that I lived them to the fullest. Recently, I came across this excerpt that has changed my life.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others

I cannot read it and think to myself, "Hmm, very inspirational...I agree". Instead, I must live in this way. I need to liberate myself from the fears that have controlled me so long.

So today I will view myself in a new way. I will be proud of who I am and what I have accomplished. And, most importantly, I will listen to my heart.