A few notes from Adam

Hey Cluster 7, I've got a few things now that you've all started posting:

• If you are going to use your name to sign your posts, go ahead and just use your first name and last initial. You can change your displayed name by clicking on the Blogger Dashboard up at the top of the page (when you are logged in), then clicking the Edit Profile link. There is an option there to change your display name. Don't worry, we'll still know who you are. :)
  
• This is your blog, so if you want to change the layout or color scheme, let me know and I can help you with it. Decide amongst yourselves what you want it to look like, then go ahead and meet me in my office and we can work on it. Blogger has a number of ready-made templates, and although we can't get too complicated, if you have some html skill you might be able to turn it into something great!
• If any of your classmates/roommates/friends haven't received their invites, please send them my way. Thanks!

Cluster 7 Adventures

Well I've been at COSMOS for four days now, and already I have three lab reports due tomorrow along with a three page essay on a blood disease that randomly caught my attention yesterday. It's not going to be an easy walk in the park, that's for sure. The people in my cluster are all pretty chill so that's a plus side to this whole thing and one of my roommates is in my cluster so that's also another big help. I'm still having difficulty immersing myself into this world of molecular biology. To me its a really impersonal and detached field of study, but nonetheless many of the main concepts we've gone over have really interested me. I understand how biotechnology and the things we are learning are continually affecting people's lives for the better, but it just seems so irrelevant to my life. Otherwise I'm having a good time, meeting new people.

Hi Cluster 7!
I'm looking forward to learning more about bioengineering and blood cells. The first lab was a bit tedious, but labs two and three were more interesting. I didn't expect to have to write a research paper this early on. But that's ok; at least we'll be able to explore a new topic.
I felt really sleepy during today's lecture, but that's because I didn't sleep well last night, not because it was boring!

Excited for the bonfire tonight!

~Amna

Blood! XD

Hello everyone! I am currently in the lab, typing with gloves on (which is quite a challenge) and waiting for the microscope to be available. I'm practically forced to type this blog, but that's okay as I'm used to it. Let's see, "honest but nice" they said. Today's labs have been pretty cool, looking at mouse blood. Yes, blood. XD The first lab was just transporting water from one beaker to another with pipettes, which wasn't that cool but I guess it was good practice. Tonight I have to write a 2-3 page double space report on a topic concerning blood, so I chose sickle-cell anemia over hematopoiesis (yes, I know it's a big word). I presented an article on it, and learned what they didn't tell me in school. I took an honors course so it's kind of frustrating when they don't tell you the simplest information. Anyway, the people here (for the most part :P) are pretty cool. Most people in my cluster are going into senior year, and I'll only be sophomore. I guess that's good in a way, meaning that I'm smart enough to get in. But I still feel pretty stupid compared to a lot of people here. Everyone in my suite just happens to be Asian, except the R.A. I know that was random, but that's how my thoughts go. I really wish I had more computer access; there's not enough laptops and not enough time to finish all my homework. I need time to write a whole research paper and do all the lab questions. There's 150 people here and limited computer access. We can only go in the computer lab for an hour and a quarter, which is not enough. I wish I had a laptop, but I don't and the laptops are only available from 6:30-8. The office is in the boy's building and though I ran there at 6:30, all the boys got there first. Not fair! I don't know what to type anymore, so I'll just go wait in line for the microscope now. Bye!

Cluster 7 So Far

Hi,

My first post on this blog, since we have some free time in the lab right now while everyone looks at their blood samples. Anyway, COSMOS is pretty good so far. The classes are pretty interesting, and the labs are pretty cool. We've actually been looking at blood cells today, making blood smears, etc. The labs are getting more and more fun; the first one on pipette handling was necessary but not as interesting. The bad part is that there's a lot more work than I would have expected, getting homework morning and afternoon. The activities are fun though; we have a bonfire tonight which should be really fun. The food isn't too bad either, just standard college dorm food. Anyway, I'd better get back to work now!

Good afternoon COSMOS! I'm currently finishing up Lab #3. Can you believe it? I've never been in a lab for so long, but I'm loving every minute of it. Working with blood today was a treat. Our lectures with Dr. Vera and Ms. Nicely have all been interesting and taking AP Biology last year has definitely come in handy.

Yesterday's lecture by Jeanne Ferrante was one that I really enjoyed because I have been taking advanced computer classes for the past 2 years and understood most of it. I would love to ask her to present to my high school if possible.

Dorm life is mediocre. There isn't much independence and the schedules are pretty strict and don't resemble real college living. However, everyone in my suite is extremely cool. (:

COSMOS has been an excellent experience so far, as it is packed with homework AND fun activities. The choices for RA activities are great, but I wish there was more time to work on homework (maybe if we actually had our Free Time...). I never expected this much work, but I'm glad that I am learning how to write a technical paper because it will be useful when applying to science fairs with two very different research projects in the fall.

Looking forward to the beach bonfire!

Bioengineering and Homework

Hello,

I'm looking forward to learn more about our cluster and the different branches of bioengineering. The labs are very interesting as well.

There is much more homework than I expected. In addition, it is very difficult to complete because I do not own a laptop.

The walking is not getting any easier, it is a far way.

I am always busy, there is always something need to be done. I feel like time is shorter here.

The night activities are always a blast. Yesterday I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.

I look forward to the future.

Rachel Gurlin

Yay blog :]

Hi,

So I'm sitting at my station in the lab right now and it's down time, so I figured I might as well type up a blog. Today's labs were very cool; we got to work with blood and make blood smears! So that was exciting - getting to look at actual blood cells. The first lab wasn't as interesting but it was still nice that we got to work with some very professional-looking tools like the micropipettes, and it was also necessary to learn the skills needed in upcoming labs. The future labs look very cool and I am excited about them.

The food here is alright - typical college dorm food. I am living off of cereal, muffins, pasta, and pizza. I've also met a lot of people from my floor, cluster, and elsewhere. Tonight is a bonfire - pretty exciting. The only downside so far is the overload of homework both from my clusters and from the science communication course. It is difficult to complete these with limited computer access for short periods of time each day. Yesterday we all sprinted to the laptop checkout line at precisely 6:30 but the guys were all in line already and they ran out. I'm glad I get my laptop soon (hopefully tomorrow). Anyhow, this is getting kind of long, and I need to go look at the blood samples soon. Cya later.

-Connie

Meece Blood

Was excited for the first real lab (other than shuffling water back and forth), and was relieved to hear about meece blood. Could not control my excitement, as it was probably church meece, the species of meece with the largest red blood cell count in the world.

Joking asides, learned a lot about the various procedures to do when confronted with such an assignment. Now know what the neutrophils, eosiniphils, and whatnot are. Staining a slide will surely come in handy for the medical profession. I'm typing from my lab bench, and some of the lab taskmasters are getting near me. Must retire from my typing. Wish you all well in your intellectual journeys! Mice rule!

Sincerely and Most Respectfully,
Jason

Pineapple

Hello

COSMOS has been pretty fun so far; I've met a few cool people. I'm really looking forward to going more into depth about our cluster/subject and just experiencing college life/freedom. Tonight there's a bonfire; all 150(?) of us around one pit should really be fun. I've never had s'mores before!

Or on a ferris wheel.

There is a LOT of homework-more than I expected! We get new assignments every morning AND afternoon. It wouldn't be so bad if we had more time to do it. I'm a slow reader! Everything is so busy.

I've been living off of salad and ice cream. I think that's how it's gonna be when I really go to college too.

Catch y'all later =)

Andrea

My first!

I have had an amazing first few days, so amazing that it has been hard to find time to blog. I have met a ton of cool people: Evan, Eric, Dylan, Rachel, Annie, Josh, and a bunch of people who's names are either unknown to me or that I just have not yet learned. The first to labs have been awesome!!!! I like using pipettes so that might have something to do with it, plus getting to see blood cells on a computer screen instead of looking through the microscope is pretty awesome! I am very hungry so I am going to leave for lunch now.


Amanda Albi

Cluster 7 !

Hmm, the days are passing by surprisingly slowly.
I can't believe that it's only wednesday. x-x
Well, I'm definitely looking forward to our fieldtrip tomorrow.
I'm just not all that excited about our tons and tons of homework assignments.
It's all pretty overwhelming !


looking forward to the bonfire tonight,
Sanlie :]

Bonfire tonight! =]

Hey everyone.
I didn't know that we would be having so much homework!
It seems as if there's one assignment after another.
Other than the homework part, I'm enjoying everything.
The recreational activities are great;I had fun playing badminton, frisbee, and board games last night.
Oh! And I'm really looking forward to the bonfire tonight at the beach!
I hope there will be marshmellows and etc.
Hope everyone else is having a great time as well...=]