Project 1 -> DONE

My first Research project is finished!
Last week we finished making all of our samples of glass and got to ship it to England. It was very exciting. We had to write a paper detailing the entire procedure of making the glass as well as information on all of the quality control steps we took. Once that was checked 327+ (exaggeration) times, we went to FedEx and spent an enormous amount of money to have a 1.5 pound box shipped to the UK.
So now what?
Well, we got another project, with no exact deadline or requirements. We are making more glass, out of different chemicals. Going to learn how to use another technique for identifying the structure of the glass. But mostly I am just working on the paper for the first project.
I also have to give a "mid-summer REU" presentation. It's just a 5 minute power point presentation about what I have done so far, some of my results, and what I am going to be spending the rest of the summer on. I don't mind presentations, so it won't be bad at all, plus they are supplying bagels :) so I can't complain.
This week we have a lot going on. Tonight we are going to watch "Field of Dreams" because we will be taking a little field trip there next Monday (It's the pride and joy of Iowa). Then tomorrow evening we are all going to go to see the local minor league baseball team play. They are the Kernels, wouldn't expect to see that anywhere except Iowa or Illinois, haha. Wednesday I have to give my power-point presentation at 8:30 am. Then during lunch we have our weekly talk by one of the professors. After lunch 4 of us get to go to Kansas City, MO to deliver some glass and spend a few days learning about ESR spectroscopy. I wasn't on the project that made the glass, but they let a few extra people go. 2 REU students (me and my roommate) and 2 Coe students are all heading down there until Friday. Then on Sunday one of the professors is hosting a lunch at his house...authentic Italian! Should be a good time. Looking forward to this busy but exciting week.
The 4th of July weekend marked our 1/2 way point. Got our first paycheck last week, which I was anxiously awaiting. I cannot believe I am already 1/2 way done with my summer here. Day by day is slow, but looking back the whole thing has gone rather quickly. I think the 2nd half with go even quicker because I don't have any specific deadlines but we are making quite a few trips around the area.
Doc (my advisor here) is encouraging us to all perfect our group power-points because each group will be presenting on July 29th at a convention at Iowa State. So we are working on making our power points high quality.
As you can tell I've been pretty busy and its only going to get worse, but luckily I got to head home for the 4th of July and have a nice relaxing long weekend in preparation for the 2nd half of this REU.
Time to get back to work!
Gloria