August 27, 2011

  • I've seen a lot of families go into the lab before.  They would take a casual tour, with the rest of the lab maintaining their natural routine, without breaking a single step. 

    So I was really tentative about bringing my parents to the lab.  I thought they would be the most embarrassing Filipino parents that Merced could ask for,  I thought we would be intrusive, that I was expecting too much because no one really cares, that I had nothing to show them in such a small lab, etc.

    But when my parents came in, first thing that happens: my lab technician LEAPT THE HELL out of his chair and flew across the room to shake their hands and introduce himself.  My post-doc glowed like I've never seen the man glow before.  He stayed overtime in the lab just so he could meet my parents.  When I came to introduce him, he shook their hands with this enormous reverence, sincerely looking super thankful that they created me, to eventually work for him in the lab.  My lab members actually let my parents enter my tissue culture room and see the cells that I've been growing.  And I got to show my parents my insulinoma cells and my embryonic stem cells.  And they were just washed with this quiet, overwhelmed amazement, "You MADE this?! O_O"

    "omg you guys look so cute you should take a picture with the family in your lab coats"

    When they met my PI, they asked, "How is she doing here?" and she actually got a little speechless before this amazingly sincere rant, with bits and pieces including, "Your daughter is WONDERFUL.  Where do I even begin?!  She joined the lab, and everyone was just so happy, everyone loves her.  Don't worry, we take good care of her here!"  She went on to talk about my attitude, my symposium presentation, my study habits, and my protocols.  But I was really baffled at how much she wanted to say about me.  I was really mindblown at how everyone was just glowing, especially considering the indifference to all the other families that had passed through before.  There was a lot of awesomeness in the air, even though half the lab members had already gone home.  I can only imagine how much the lab would've exploded had everyone been there.

    When I went back into the lab alone to pick up my backpack before spending the rest of my day with my parents, all the undergraduates proclaimed, "YOUR PARENTS ARE CUTE, CHRISTA~"  I found my PI and my post-doc just chatting about me with the most amazing excitement, "They looked so excited to see the lab!  I just passed by them, and they're reading your poster now!  Did you show them your cells that you made?!  OMG WAIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE GET OUT OF HERE GO LET THEM SPOIL YOU ALREADY!"

    And moments ago, I got this e-mail in my inbox:

    It was a pleasure today to meet your parents.  I'm glad that they could see all of the things you have done.  The pride in their eyes was clear and touching.  I am very proud to have you in the lab as well.  Your enthusiasm is infectious, and I know the lab is happier and more productive because of your presence.  Keep up the great work!

    And I just choked up.  

    I was sitting there, alone, in front of my laptop screen, fighting back tears, to realize that I'm important to my lab.

    I'll be honest, in spite of everything I've achieved in the lab in the last nine weeks (holy crap it's only been 9 weeks), I've still been extremely, "I hope the lab likes me!"  I have a TON of stories about the lab every single day, I have had my heart flutter whenever they compliment my performance in the lab, and I am just insanely hardcore enthusiastic about the lab, but honestly, sometimes I still wonder, "guhh i hope the lab likes me T.T"

    But holy shit.  Didn't expect all THAT!

    -+-

    Also, school started yesterday.

    Summary:
    "omfg school is killing me i am so stressed out."
    "LOL you're only 2 days in!! LOOK AT YOU, someone get this girl a drink!" 

    the end