Something You May Not Know...

Hey!! I have a few BIG things going on in my life right now, and I just wanted to BLOG about them because they are like all I am thinking about lately. It could also be that you didn't already know this about me, so I figured it might be fun to share.

The first thing is that I have been asked to write a chapter in a book that will be on methods in microbiological and medical research. I was asked to do it a couple of months ago, and have been working like crazy on it. It is a pretty big task, but I am moving along quite well now. The professor that I do research with at BYU is known across the country for his expertise (among other things) in the field of antioxidant microbiology. I have become quite proficient in the assays that we run in the lab and about antioxidant microbiology/biochemistry in general, so he asked me to write this chapter for a book that he was invited to participate in. Anyway, it is pretty challenging, but good. I am learning about how much I really don't know through all of this! The most exciting thing about this, though, is because it is a publication in such an important book (as it will be a reference guide for microbiologists/biochemists/medical researchers), it is really going to help me come time to apply for medical school. I am also excited because it means that it will be cited by other people as they write papers and do research. Can you imagine, they will say "According to Garrett (2008)....." CRAZY!! Anyway, I am supposed to have the chapter done by the end of July, and the book will be coming out at the latest by early next year.

The second thing is that I have begun to study for the MCAT (medical college aptitude test), which is one of my major admissions factors for medical school.  The test is on college level general and applied physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, and verbal reasoning.  It is crazy hard, and what makes it worse is that it is like a five hour test, but you have like one minute per problem and you can't use a calculator.  It is going to be nuts.  Starting at the end of my spring term, I am going to be studying for it around the clock, so I might not see anyone for a while.  But I'll still be alive, just in my "nerdery" (which is pretty much like my fortress of solitude, or Bat-cave, if you will) studying 'round the clock.  I take the test on August 7th.

Anyway, just as proof of my nerdiness, it is saturday night at 8:00, and I have been working on this chapter and will be working on it the rest of the night.  I also worked all night friday night (woo hoo!!).  Anyway, I'd better get back to what I was doing.  Hope to see you all soon!!