*sigh*

I made it through the first quarter of grad school. I'm still in good standing GPA-wise - the only reason I care about my GPA is for fellowships and getting into the dual-degree Nanotech PhD program the UW offers. Otherwise, all I care about is learning. And learn I did, this past quarter. Nothing like trying to also learn everything possible about basic EE things/photovoltaics on top of learning all sorts of new topics because I switched from Chemistry to Materials. Interestingly, I found that my chemistry background was more helpful than I anticipated (I guess that's why it's called 'the central science'! :) ), serving as an intro to topics that we delved into more deeply/mathematically into throughout my courses.

I will say, however, that even though the quarter was full of stress, I love Materials Science and Engineering and definitely believe it is the right field for me. What I still don't know is what I want to do after graduation - work in industry, for a government lab, or in academia, but I'm willing to sit on that decision for a while, discerning the Lord's will for my career.

everyone says this quarter is the worst in our department (mainly thanks to the class my advisor teaches....) - so here's hoping that next quarter goes swimmingly!  

 {currently, I'm de-stressing in southern CA with my family, where there is plenty of sun and no alarm clocks}

Mainly, I want to thank the fantastic girls in my house for supporting me day-to-day as I figure out this grad school thing. I know that I'm frequently absent from the house community and you girls saw a bunch of low moments in the quarter, but I so so so appreciate you all and I wanted to let you know!

 {also. thank you for the frosting and cookies. you know how to fuel my sleepless and stressful nights.}

 

I should also thank my fellow SPU alums, Natalie Closner and Marissa Maharaj for releasing music this year - your albums were on perpetual repeat when I was scrambling to finish all my reports!

{marissa maharaj}

{natalie closner}

{you all should take a listen, if you haven't already!}

4 fantastic years

Kali, I can't believe that only four years ago, I barely knew you. 

I knew that you had sweet hair, lived on my floor, were way more outgoing than me, were also a UScholar, and wanted to have 6 kids by the time you were ~30. 

Oh, and you loved English.

here's first halfway decent picture of ourselves freshman year. I look so awkward....

I found out you liked to dress up as much as I did

we made lots of Traditions:

and look! still friends four years later:

(with those red stoles - yay!)

Even in the midst of my hectic week, I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for being such an amazing friend. love you so so much!

(even when you make me wear ridiculous glasses.....)

Here's to many more years!

-------

also, this was our facebook friend picture :)