Wait...what?
Doing my micro homework this morning and came across an interesting bit of reading about some genetically engineered antibodies scientists have figured out. Well, the antibodies are boring, the production technique is what is interesting.
The over simplified rundown is this, cancer forms because cells mutate, losing their natural "lifespan" genes that cause them to die off after dividing a certain number of times. Scientists are taking advantage of this by creating cells designed to produce a certain antibody, combining them with cancer cells in a lab, and making little tiny antibody factories that will keep dividing and producing the antibody without ever dying. I think finding a way to make such a devastating disease work for us is a great testament to the ingenuity of man.
Now if we could only find a way to make stupid work for the good of humanity instead of just making more Adam Sandler movies...
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The beginning of the end, of the...beginning?
So, with my microbiology teacher going awol next week I only have 2 class sessions left before the end of the summer semester. Well 5 if you include my other class, but who would do a thing like that? See, the other class has been fun, the teacher is laid back, and tries to help his students. It's really a fun class to go to, so I tend not to do the countdown for that one.
The micro teacher on the other hand...well...mama always said if you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything. I didn't listen to her back then either. This class has been a nightmare. Losing points for putting a slash through a zero. Losing points for going to the bathroom and missing part of an "important" announcement. Getting a 0 on an essay because she felt you should have added the word contamination in front of the word site (even though it wasn't labeled that way in the instructions). It hasn't even been that she's just extremely picky and doesn't allow any mistakes, because she does. She grades more on idiosyncrasies and pet peeves than content.
This was a big deal to me earlier in the semester as I was barely holding onto an A, because starting this fall all A's in my summer classes gets me $9,000 a year in scholarships and grants for the next 3 years. Fortunately I was able to figure out her system for the most part and have all but secured my grade as we wind down, but that still doesn't excuse her bad grading.
Back on topic! So yes I'm winding down my 2 semester stint at NAU and since I've managed to keep perfect grades, excluding a meltdown over the next 3 weeks, I will be moving to Avila University in August to finish my prereqs and hopefully attend nursing school. Avila is a top notch school with a reputation for nursing that is second to none. In fact, they were the first nursing school in Kansas City. It's exciting because when I started this change I assumed it would happen at a community college or a for profit joint, but now I'm getting the chance to make it happen at one of the best schools in the region.
The next big step in the education process is getting accepted to a nursing school. My grades the first time around college were pretty bad, so that may come back to bite me. I do have a few things going for me though. All A's now, I completed my Certified Nurses Assistant training this summer, and I start volunteering in the ER at St. Joseph hospital sometime in the next 2 weeks. I'm hoping for Avila, the wife is hoping for Rockhurst, I may end up back at NAU. It's gonna happen somewhere though. Don't stop me now!
The micro teacher on the other hand...well...mama always said if you don't have something nice to say then don't say anything. I didn't listen to her back then either. This class has been a nightmare. Losing points for putting a slash through a zero. Losing points for going to the bathroom and missing part of an "important" announcement. Getting a 0 on an essay because she felt you should have added the word contamination in front of the word site (even though it wasn't labeled that way in the instructions). It hasn't even been that she's just extremely picky and doesn't allow any mistakes, because she does. She grades more on idiosyncrasies and pet peeves than content.
This was a big deal to me earlier in the semester as I was barely holding onto an A, because starting this fall all A's in my summer classes gets me $9,000 a year in scholarships and grants for the next 3 years. Fortunately I was able to figure out her system for the most part and have all but secured my grade as we wind down, but that still doesn't excuse her bad grading.
Back on topic! So yes I'm winding down my 2 semester stint at NAU and since I've managed to keep perfect grades, excluding a meltdown over the next 3 weeks, I will be moving to Avila University in August to finish my prereqs and hopefully attend nursing school. Avila is a top notch school with a reputation for nursing that is second to none. In fact, they were the first nursing school in Kansas City. It's exciting because when I started this change I assumed it would happen at a community college or a for profit joint, but now I'm getting the chance to make it happen at one of the best schools in the region.
The next big step in the education process is getting accepted to a nursing school. My grades the first time around college were pretty bad, so that may come back to bite me. I do have a few things going for me though. All A's now, I completed my Certified Nurses Assistant training this summer, and I start volunteering in the ER at St. Joseph hospital sometime in the next 2 weeks. I'm hoping for Avila, the wife is hoping for Rockhurst, I may end up back at NAU. It's gonna happen somewhere though. Don't stop me now!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Who I are.
I find it's generally best to start at the beginning, jump to a little later in the story, get close to the end, then remember something that you forgot to tell, get a little sidetracked, repeat yourself a few times at the good parts, and see where that gets you. Who needs order when chaos and confusion are so much more fun and convenient.
So who am I? My name is Eddie, I'm an early 30's student who is in the process of moving from one world to another. Obviously I'm not moving to Mars...although that would be pretty awesome. I'm not moving to Atlantis...although I bet the seafood is delicious. It's more of a trip through the looking glass. I'm going from a man's world to a woman's world.
I was born and raised a construction worker, in a family of male domination, testosterone, blood, sweat and...suck it up there's no crying here. Now that's not to say that the women in my family weren't respected, or were mistreated, because they weren't. My family is just a bit of a relic from a time where men bought the bacon, and women cooked it. Mmmm bacon.
Through a recent series of events (I'll talk about those later, that's why I'm writing this after all), I have decided to make the change to the female dominated world of nursing. This wasn't an overnight decision, in fact it took over a year for me to make that leap.
My goal for this blog is 3 years. That's how long I will be in school. You'll get to read about school, my search for a CNA job, the reactions people have to "someone like me" entering this field. You'll probably get to read some about my mentally challenged dog and my delicious cooking too.
So please secure all loose items and keep your hands inside the ride at all times...next post : The end. Or somewhere in the middle, unless i get sidetracked.
So who am I? My name is Eddie, I'm an early 30's student who is in the process of moving from one world to another. Obviously I'm not moving to Mars...although that would be pretty awesome. I'm not moving to Atlantis...although I bet the seafood is delicious. It's more of a trip through the looking glass. I'm going from a man's world to a woman's world.
I was born and raised a construction worker, in a family of male domination, testosterone, blood, sweat and...suck it up there's no crying here. Now that's not to say that the women in my family weren't respected, or were mistreated, because they weren't. My family is just a bit of a relic from a time where men bought the bacon, and women cooked it. Mmmm bacon.
Through a recent series of events (I'll talk about those later, that's why I'm writing this after all), I have decided to make the change to the female dominated world of nursing. This wasn't an overnight decision, in fact it took over a year for me to make that leap.
My goal for this blog is 3 years. That's how long I will be in school. You'll get to read about school, my search for a CNA job, the reactions people have to "someone like me" entering this field. You'll probably get to read some about my mentally challenged dog and my delicious cooking too.
So please secure all loose items and keep your hands inside the ride at all times...next post : The end. Or somewhere in the middle, unless i get sidetracked.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)