Do It Again

One of my favorite songs by Nada Surf: "Do It Again"


Well I'd snap to attention
If I thought that you knew the way
I'd open my mouth
If I had something smart to say

I bought a stack of books
I didn't read a thing
It's like I'm sitting here
Waiting for birds to sing

Let's do it again
Come on, let's do it again
Please, let's do it again

The hum of the clock
Is a faraway place
The azalea air holding your face
You're lying down
And the moon is sideways
From the hot to the cold
It never gets old

I spend all my energy
Walking upright
And I like the masking noise quiet
Of your breathing nearby

Let's do it again
Come on, let's do it again
Please, let's do it again

I want you lazy science
I want some peace
Are you the future?
Show me the keys

I spend all my energy
Walking upright
And I like the masking noise quiet
Of your breathing nearby

When I accelerate
I remember why it's good to be alive
Like a twenty-five cent game

Maybe this weight was a gift
Like I had to see what I could lift

I spend all my energy
Walking upright

Maybe this weight was a gift
Like I had to see what I could lift

I spend all my energy
Walking upright

Maybe this weight was a gift
Like I had to see what I could lift


I think their "The Weight Is A Gift" album is simply excellent.

Anyway, I wanted to write this post about something else. It's past midnight and I have to wake up at 6 am tomorrow, so I'll make it quick (then elaborate tomorrow).

...

What I want to say is that I love biology so much. The history of it, the philosophy of it, and of course, the science itself. This past Monday I remember working from 8-12, going to the bookstore to buy a clicker for my genetics class and then have a quick lunch (while helping Dan Perry with some biology stuff), going to genetics, going to BioSci right away to work on Biol 2004 stuff with my group, rushing to the Biol 2004 at the friggin' physics building while being completely exhausted, and thinking how much I love my life because I'm studying biology. I was so overwhelmed by the idea of everything this semester, and I'm still overwhelmed, so I might be a little insane for being so happy about how much of a better biologist I will become after all the experience of this semester, which has just begun. While trying to listen to the lecture (it was mostly intro stuff), I thought about how all I want to do is put all my effort into becoming a better biologist.

It's a pain, obviously. Being stressed out by intense workload is always a pain. But maybe it's worth it. As Nada Surf's song goes, "Maybe this weight was a gift, like I had to see what I could lift."

I'm getting used to the semester. I mean, I'm adapting to making the most of my free time. I'm liking my Biol 2003 group a lot because everyone is dedicated to the group--at least three of the people are doing a great job taking on the leader roles, and everyone else (I guess including me) is doing the work and everything. I really appreciate that. I think all our projects are going to turn out amazing.

But I still can't help being completely nostalgic about last semester's group all over again. I miss that we were almost like a family. I miss learning everything with my group. See, I'm not completely clueless anymore. I was, at the beginning of last semester. As a future biologist, I learned so much about biology last semester, not necessarily the content but the significance, the history, the philosophy, the methodology, everything--everything that makes me love it so much.

I still can't formulate into sentences why I've come to love biology so much, but I will very soon, as I've got a personal statement to write for a scholarship application.

One of the reasons I decided to take Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics is that early in the twentieth century, physics was an inspiration to many people to turn to biology. See, physics has always been such an ideal science. Biology wasn't, not until the discovery of DNA. Haha, my philosophy term paper last year was totally 70% on the history of genetics. I like history partly because it reads like a story, and I have to say the history of biology is quite a beautiful one.

I guess the another reason (that I'm taking Phil. of QM) would be that it gives me insights on how the sciences are different--how I can never love physics like I love biology.

And I do appreciate the philosophical/intellectual value of QM too, of course. Jeez, it's really difficult to understand. I still don't really know what the heck quantum mechanics is, even though I've read and heard about the same things so many times in my life.

Anyway, I'll write more on this when I have the time. Right now it's sleep time. Good night.