August 27: The neuroscience tutorial was fine, with a bit of explanation and assignments. I got lunch at Laneway (where they have $5 meals during lunch, while supplies last). Then I had chem lab, but it was a complete mess. The chemicals we had to weigh were lost or gone. At some point, they were finally brought out, but that took some time, and that time was desperately needed, since the reaction had to run for at least two hours (in a four-hour lab session, but this wasn't the only step, and cleaning up takes time too). I had a good time complaining and discussing it with others (Chisa, Caleb, Rhys, and someone else). I finished the lab half an hour early because we wouldn't be able to finish the next steps, so I'll have to do that next time. Now my reaction is in the fume hood waiting for my return. After the lab, I did some grocery shopping and worked on my neuroscience assignment at home.
August 28th: Today was a pretty fun experiment in pharmacology: we had to measure heart rate, blood pressure, and peak expiratory flow rate (how much air you can blow) while sitting, standing, and after two minutes of stepping up and down on a platform, which is longer than you think. We did this stepping up and down in two groups, one after the other. It looked really funny, half the class stepping up and down at the same time, especially when it was the other group's turn, of course. The professor played a video with typical "hockey camp morning warm-up two seconds after you've been thrown out of the tent" music, complete with a voice that occasionally encouraged us, hahaha. We were the control group in terms of data; there was also supposed to be a group that would take beta blockers (atenolol) and then do the same measurements to study the effect of the drugs, but the university hasn't allowed that since this year. So we used data from previous years. I think we were a bit overzealous with the blood pressure test, because during one test my hand started tingling quite a bit, and at home I saw little red dots/bruises on my arm—oops. But good news, my blood pressure is within the normal range, so we know that again. Someone in the tutorial was surprised to see a foreign language (Dutch) on my laptop; they thought English was my native language. I was happy to hear that at least my accent isn't overtly Dutch. Back home, I worked on my neurosurgery assignment, which was a lot of work. That evening, I got a text from Cailene, "How's your homework going?" in Dutch! :)
August 29: I got a text from my friends in Nijmegen, asking if I had class. I was in my room working on that neuro assignment, so I didn't reply. I then video-called them for a while; they were on their vacation trip! It was nice to catch up with them again : ) . In the afternoon, it was time for lab (chemical biology), working with Caleb occasionally. Now I just hope I have enough product for the next steps. I finished the lab around 5 PM, an hour early, yay. So I got an Aussie beef pie at Fisher Café, delicious Australian food. Then I worked at Fisher Library on, you guessed it, neuroscience. After dinner, I got home and continued until I finished it and finally handed it in. I received a nice video and selfie from my friends in Venlo/Tegelen/Blerick; they're already leaving for their vacation. It's strange that I won't see them (you) for a few more months.
August 30: In the afternoon, I took the bus to Newtown and from there I ran to Sydney Park, a pretty big, spacious park with some steep hills (not so great for running). I saw a lot of dogs and runners there, and a cute couple flying kites. I ran back home via Eveleigh. In the evening, I cooked some pasta and discovered that sour cream literally tastes the same as Greek yogurt (am I crazy, or is this just a scam?). I didn't do anything else exciting, just watched a bit of a TV show and briefly called my parents.
August 31st + September 1st: Not exactly exciting days either. I cleaned my room, worked on a chemical biology lab report, and prepared for the pharmacology quiz.
