Week 3 from Vanderbilt

Hey guys,

I hope everyone is having fun both with their research and in your new city! I know that I surely have been enjoying myself.

As for the people surrounding me in my research position, they are nothing but spectacular. My professors and phd advisor are very personable and approachable and great to work for. I also work with 4 other undergraduate researchers. It is nice to have someone at the same place that you are (sometimes that means being lost). We have become pretty good friends (they have taught me much already about the World Cup) and it really is a joy to go to work at 8 a.m. everyday. The lab is a 20,000 square foot open work area that has a lot of cool test equipment, various projects, and the various tools that we need. I have no complaints so far about the people or setting that's around me. My biggest surprise was that I was going to have 4 other undergraduate researchers to work and hang out with. It was a pleasant surprise though! Most of them are Vandy students that help me with the ins-and-outs of Nashville and campus.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend to get out and do something fun!

Chris Maurice

P.S.: Here is a picture of a replica of the Greek Parthenon that's located in the center of the Nashville's largest public park. They built it in 1897 and it was originally just a monument to what they deemed the period of greatest architectural achievement. It has since been turned into an art museum.