--------------
All right...it only seems like a million things have happened since the last time I updated the blog. I will try to cover all the major points...
U of M
So two weekends ago (March 9-11), I visited the campus and the Chemistry Department in Ann Arbor. (My first time in Michigan...kinda weird since it does border Ohio) Anyway, I absolutely loved my experience there. On Friday, we had an informal reception with the other visiting students, graduate students, and faculty. I got to talk to some of the faculty (Dr. Johnson, Dr. Sanford) and a few graduate students to get a feel for the school.
Shortly thereafter, we split-up into small groups and went to downtown Ann Arbor for dinner. Dr. Montgomery and Dr. McNeil were my group's faculty escorts and we went to a fancy Italian restaurant. They really must of been trying to wine-and-dine-us because it (and all the other restaurants students were taken to) were really rather expensive and fancy. (I mean we ordered wine and had fancy appetizers.) I really felt my lack of big-city culture.
Saturday was a frenetic day of meetings with faculty members in the Chemistry Department. I met with six faculty members that we all very interesting in their own way. My favorites were Dr. McNeil and Dr. Matzger but Dr. Johnson and Dr. Sanford were cool too. Again I had the opportunity to talk to a bunch of graduate students about what they thought about the program and faculty. (soooo much talking, sooo much talking).
Later that night the graduate students took us out to a local eatery (pizza/Italian again)...were we got to talk some more with the graduate students (this time though away from the faculty...so conceivably they could be more honest). They then took students who wanted to out a local brewery (not me of course...by this time I was rather tired...and alcohol is not a motivating factor in my life). That was basically the visit.
Generally speaking, I really loved the faculty and their research. The town was more urban than I had expected so that might take some getting used to if I go there. From the onset of my graduate school search, I was impressed by Michigan and I think it is an almost lock that I will go there.
One last comment on UM...either the faculty are really interested/or care-- I have received 2 emails from faculty that I talked to, and a phone call as well--or UM has a very rigorous recruitment policy.
March Madness
So Wright State made it into NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993...and if you blinked you missed it. It was kinda sad to watch Wright State get blown out on national television (especially after watching Butler and OSU win earlier in the day), but it was a remarkable accomplishment just to get into the tournament. (In my mind that incredible win over Butler in the Horizon League will be lasting memory of the "tournament")
The Raiders simply got a raw deal on seeding. A #14?...especially after Butler got a #5...really a disappointment. Even with the #14 we arguably got the hardest of the four...a Pitt team that had been ranked as high as number 1 this year. Heck even Miami got a #14 seed and we beat them this year!!!
Anyway...this Saturday I admit that I threw up a little in my mouth...watching not only Butler win another game (WE BEAT THEM TWICE!!!), but OSU's sick comeback (Derek has only played it about a hundred times since Saturday) against Xavier. Really the could have only been worse basketball wise if VCU had beaten Pitt. The whole experience kinda ruined March Madness, especially when coupled with the heart-break of WSU.
Spring Break
So I'm on Spring Break this week...but it really doesn't feel like a break from anything. My mind has yet to have a real rest. I have been to school everyday this week (and yet I can't remember to bring back my library books). We'll see if I actually relax and kick about a little.
National American Chemical Society Meeting--Chicago, Ill.
I have my poster all ready to go and printed up. I leave on Saturday and stay through Thursday morning with the hope I get back for Instrumental Analysis on Thursday evening. (NOTE: I will be missing the first 3 days of the Spring Quarter for this meeting...so I guess it better be good.