Problems.

So anything and everything that could go wrong with my thesis project is going wrong. We didn't get enough RNA from the splenocyte samples...which is a HUGE, EXPENSIVE problem. Basically, we have to start everything all over again.

On the plus side, though, since we have more time before we have to send the samples to the UK, there's a chance I'll be able to go over there and learn to use the microarray. I tried to apply for a passport today, not realizing that you have to have cash or a check...so I'll go again tomorrow or Saturday, after I get paid.

Another thing that went wrong...the Lyme-diseased guinea pigs showed no Lyme in their ear punches. We had to defrost their corpses, take new ear punches, and take skin biopsies on top of that. Thank goodness, the skin biopsies were positive, but I spent all week working on this rather than the five billion other things I have to do.

Does this sound like a rather emotionless post? Rest assured that I have been very miserable about this project. Very few things have been able to cheer me up: Dan, Darwin, knitting, frisbee. Did I mention I've been playing frisbee again? It is not without pain, and I'm a shell of my former self on the field, but the endorphins are amazing.