Slipping and sliding... while playing soccer!!

This is probably the last post I'll do until the end of the weekend, I have a very exciting next few days that just recently developed!!

James and I spent most of Monday night trying to figure out our Belfast plans for this weekend. Between figuring out hostels and how many people were ACTUALLY going with us turned into a pretty big pain in the arse if I say so myself. But after 2 hours of slow internet and James and I working through what we were going to do this weekend, we figured it out and were able to book a hostel for the 7 of us for both Friday and Saturday night. Grand!!

The next day (Tuesday) was the meeting with first meeting with my PI, Robert. It went great, I answered some very basic questions such as "Does Elaine keep you busy" and "Are you looking forward to the next few weeks". Yes to both of course. Then he asked if I wanted to go to Belfast this weekend with my mentor. Which of course I also said yes to. Which means my original holiday is being extended by 2 days... excellent!! And it's paid for by Robert... even better. For the next 4 days, I will be exploring Northern Ireland a bit.

Today was a bit of boring an a bit of fun. Lab results aren't coming in as fast as they were the first 2 weeks, and I'm sitting around quite a bit waiting for things such as DNA to react with chemicals so I can detect it. Following the morning of bad results, I went to a meeting with the other UREKA's (as we are now called) where I learned that I have to do a 20 pg. paper, 2 pg. paper, 1 pg. reflection, a poster, and a power point presentation at the end of my internship. The papers are due August 27, the week I'm supposed to be traveling Europe. Joy. I think I'll talk to Aoife and see if I can get that extended until when I get back to the U.S.

Following this, the day got a bit better with some soccer/football/footie/BEST SPORT EVER. I was super excited to play and it felt great to run around and touch the ball. We played some 5 on 5, and I managed to score some goals of my own. It started to rain, which my overly exerted body didn't mind, and by the end there were some pretty funny slips and slides happening all around. Oliver managed to slide still standing with John megging him between the legs.

Today I also did the dreaded task of laundry. I hate laundry... everyone knows in Santa Barbara I always go home, and my mom helps me do it (or does it for me... thanks mom!!!) 6 euros for one wash and dry, I opted out of the dry and currently have clothes surrounding me: on my bedpost, on top of my dresser, in my bathroom... I'll use those 3 euros for something more important.

I have to go to bed, off to Belfast!!! Another post on Sunday or Monday. Have a great 4th of July, save me some good BBQ please :)