My first Biochemistry test is this coming Monday. Biochemistry is the first class that I've taken under Dr. Bartley, an adjunct from UAB, so I'm more than a bit nervous about the test. I've been carrying my Biochem book around with me all week, studying a few paragraphs here and there. Earlier today I started making molecules out of modeling clay and writing them repeatedly on my dry erase board. Normally for my biology tests I highlight lecture material and write it on note cards, then just memorize those. I think this time I'll just memorize the few things that I know will be on the test, then focus on the broad concepts. There will supposedly be a lot of "thinking questions."

In addition to writing this blog, I've taken a few breaks from Biochem today. The first was the SaveFirst tax preparation program that I mentioned in previous blogs. I've committed to doing taxes Saturdays from 9am-3pm. Thankfully for my Biochem studying, there weren't any appointments today. This afternoon I called Judson alum Dr. Daveta Dozier to schedule shadowing. She and her husband, Dr. Frank Dozier, have a clinic in Thomasville and have been very kind to let me follow them around.  Throughout the day, I've been checking on my quail chicks and quail eggs.  My incubator thermostat hasn't been acting very well, so I'm monitoring as frequently as I can. This batch of quail was raised under a 20 watt plant grow light. Eighteen chicks hatched. Considering that no new ones have hatched in the last two days, that's probably all that I'll get from this bunch. My thermostat problems are annoying as I don't know whether the low hatch rate (18 chicks out of 50 eggs) is due to the thermostat or the light treatment. A girl from Judson who keeps birds took 10 of the chicks with her when she went home yesterday. Earlier today I took the remaining 8 to a guy who raises quail.

It seems like it was just an hour or so ago when I woke up. Actually it's 10:30 at night.. My first few years at Judson, I worried that I was socially awkward due to my shy personality, nerdiness and homeschooling. I pushed myself to participate in Judson traditions and other social events. Now it's all that I can do to keep up with my obligations. This weekend I was planning to visit a good friend in Tuscaloosa who is getting married soon. Last night, a Friday, I realized that I was already in jittery cram mode for the Biochem test and had to call and cancel. I wish I had photographic memory... Back to the Biochem!