UV Disco Light and an Ethanol Induced Haze

Gandhi knew what he was talking about when he uttered "You must be the change you wish to see in the world". Always one to see a glass half full, even I thought that task was too enormous of an undertaking.  After all, Gandhi was telling me to get my shit in gear if I ever wanted to make any kind of difference, and who was I to tell him "No". I was afraid that if I ignored this bit of personal advice that was engraved upon a piece of stone wall art above my head, that Gandhi himself would knock it down and knock me out cold. So, here I am with many changes made, and many many more to go.

As a Scientist, where was I to start?  After all, I wasn't even suppose to be a Scientist. According to my 10 year plan I'm suppose to be in a coroner's lab somewhere determining methods of death while finishing up my residency at the County Coroners Lab.  How did I end up here? A Molecular Biologist pursuing a PhD? At NYU? What have I gotten myself into? Darn you you 3 credit research course that I needed to graduate. If I hadn't needed you, my 10 year plan would be on track. But instead, I opted for the life of a lab rat in the blink of an eye. You and your seducing white lab coat and disco blue UV light shining upon thine lab bench.  That 3 credit course I needed to graduate is what started the downward...no.... upward spiral that has become my scientific life. Sound intriguing? In its own way, we (Science & I) have a love/ hate relationship. I love Science and some of its family members (Chemistry/ Biochemistry/ Biostats) hate me. But we manage to keep it together.

If I wanted to be a true Scientist, how was I to become one? Does having a degree make you one? I was left in a hungover haze from the overwhelming particles of Ethanol floating in the air while making like Cinderella in my lab. And this is where the journey began....