Reflections and Images

This past week, I have been experiencing an internal crisis of not knowing whether I should pursue research in the life sciences as a career path. This dilemma started from having a hard time choosing between staying in my UROP or finding a new one. Thinking about this quandary for some period of time ended up opening a can of worms. When I sat in my cubicle trying to read some research papers last Tuesday, thoughts of why I didn’t enjoy my UROP as much as I wished kept distracting me. These thoughts mushroomed in size and scope to the point that I started questioning whether I actually want to continue studying biochemistry in graduate school.  For my current UROP, I like the lab environment and my advisor, but I don’t feel super passionate about the research topic. My UROP project involves studying a protein called GlfT2, an enzyme responsible for carbohydrate polymerization of the cell wall in bacteria. The broader application of the research is to understand the mechanisms of t...

I get up around 8 AM and have my standard breakfast meal of diced apples and oatmeal. Then, I go on my computer and do some tasks for MIT ESP (Educational Studies Program), which include checking and drafting some emails. Unlike last week, I have significantly fewer tasks as Summer HSSP director because the first day of classes started last Saturday. The change in pace makes me feel a lot less overwhelmed and stressed, which gives me hope that I won’t suffer too much from ESP burnout. An hour after breakfast, I decide to run 3 miles to fulfill my half-marathon training plan goals for week 2. Before I run, I tell myself to take it easy and slow since my right knee is still recovering from a bruised bone last Saturday. The first half of the run is pleasant because there is ample shade as I jog along the Esplanade and the occasional wind cools me down. During the latter half of the run, however, the discomfort from my sweaty neck and clothes builds over time.  I am glad that the run i...

If you told me in January 2022 that I was going to run the B.A.A. (Boston Athletic Association) 10k run in June, I wouldn't have believed you. Before 2022, I never found the idea of becoming a long-distance runner appealing. I didn't understand why people found running fun, given that running is hard and tiring. I wondered what was the point of running when there were less intensive activities like biking and tennis, activities I found to be more fun than running. It wasn’t until winter break that I started thinking about running. I was embarrassed that I barely exercised and didn’t eat well during my first semester of college. Therefore, I decided to embrace a more active and healthy lifestyle for the upcoming year. I didn’t want to jinx myself by making grandiose goals. I had to start from somewhere, so I decided to run a mile during winter break. My time was slow, but at least I got the ball rolling.  During IAP, I gradually increased my distance from 1 to 1.5 and then to 2 ...