Monday, July 1, 2024
By:
My workload has slowed this week as the Review Panel determines which 10/22 proposals they want to advance to the next stage. Between Levitating Suits and Quantum Science Art Exhibitions, the 2025 APS Innovation Fund (IF) has proven to have many unique projects, making the decision extremely difficult. This year’s IF is specific to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), so we are looking for proposals that align with our initiative to spread awareness and broaden the space in which Quantum science is taught.
I started the week in sunny Irvine, California, where I attended the incoming transfer students' Engineering Advising Session on Tuesday and Wednesday. This event was a mixture of orientation, advice for incoming students, and a chance for us to meet classmates and select our courses for the Fall quarter. I met a fellow Electrical Engineer named Evan, and he took me on a ride in his 2024 Audi S3 while we broke for lunch. It felt good to have a friend to start the school year with, and our courseload for the first few quarters is identical, so I’ll have a lifeline when I’m drowning in EECS courses.
I flew back Wednesday night and arrived Thursday morning without a wink of sleep. I thought toughing it out and then sleeping that evening would be the right move, as I had some emails and other work that needed to be done. As I finished my work, I planned to take a “nap,” the next thing I knew, it was 3:30 a.m. I spent that morning doing some work and watching YouTube, and then I decided to begin a Python course to prepare myself for the coming fall quarter. Friday was pretty mellow; I spent the morning - mid-afternoon at the office with other Interns. I then suggested we watch Ratatouille in the evening at the Kennedy Center, but I did not foresee the jetlag interrupting my plans. When everyone was supposed to be gathering at the elevator, I was sound asleep; I was so upset that I ended up renting Ratatouille to watch it the next day.
Sunday, the day where it all went wrong…Not really. Sunday was super fun! We started off the day early as we had somewhat of a long drive to Cunningham Falls State Park. The forest was not something I expected to encounter during my time in DC, but I was so happy we could hike through the woods. However, my feet and blood sugar were in for disaster between the incline and rocks. I had to choose between golf shoes or dress shoes for the hike, both of which would have served to be useless in protecting my feet. As we hiked a mile filled with boulders and beautiful greenery, we made it to the base of the falls, where my blood sugar decided to start plummeting and even though Reidyn was insisting on staying with me, after I assured him I would be fine he continued with the group, and I took a much-needed breather. After about 15 minutes, I decided to head back to the parking lot but got distracted by huge rocks that looked climbable. I must have strayed off the trail four times, trying to get a picture atop one of the boulders, before getting a call that they had made it back to the parking lot and were ready to head to the lake. As we got down and started walking, I was relieved to have time to sit and relax, at least I thought I would. Right before I was about to sit down, I fell and rolled over and heard a popping sound in my ankle. It instantly swole up to three times its standard size, but I was lucky to fall in front of a family with a podiatrist.
After eight different Lake staff members had assessed and helped me to Chris’ car, it was time for the emergency room. Granted, I thought that going to the ER for a sprain was a bit overkill. I might have torn some ligaments that would require surgery, so I decided to play it safe. Chris, Charles, and Jaden, a special thank you to those guys. While most of the people with us were already extremely helpful, like Reidyn making sure I was okay and Evan and Brynn flagging down the lifeguard, these three guys did everything they could to make the experience more accessible. Chris and Charles came with me to the ER (Chris Drove) and were the perfect combination of seriousness and fun I needed. Charles was asking all the right questions, many of which I wouldn’t have considered. His & Chris’ presence combined made the visit full of laughs and political conversations, making time fly by. It was also the quickest and most painless ER visit I’ve ever experienced, and it seems we came at the perfect time. Jaden has been among the nicest people I’ve met during this internship, but his willingness to help without hesitation solidified that. He is constantly extending a hand to anyone and everyone and has helped me get packages and food these past few days, which I appreciate greatly; I hate being a burden to others. Overall, this week has tested me in many ways, which is furthering my independence and has shown me I’m capable of being on my own, but also that sometimes you need to ask for help, despite how uncomfortable it might make you.
Mujtaba Khalid