Hi. I'm Sara.
(For maximum effect, hit play)
Animal Collective - For Reverend Green
I was born early in the night on a Monday in July, 1994. I'm currently 22 years old and hail from Tulsa, Oklahoma. My parents have been married for 30 years, and are both RNs in an ICU in Tulsa. I have a brother, Jacob, who is 17. I graduated high school online in 2012, then went to Tulsa Community College where I sorta unintentionally got my AS. I'm also a registered phlebotomist thanks to good ol' tech school. I'm a senior (technically...) studying Microbiology with minors in Chemistry and German. I still have 2 years until I graduate, though. I'm still contemplating my future career, but it'll be along the lines of MD specializing in infectious disease or PhD focusing on infection/antibiotic resistance, or somewhere in between! I'm currently a undergraduate research assistant at the Lawson Microbial Systematics Laboratory, where I'm helping out the graduate students who are working to classify/learn more about the human gut microbiome. I'll spare you the details, but if you want to know more, go here. I also work as a vet assistant at the a cat hospital here in Norman. I love my job, but sometimes there are sad days and I cry. The song you're hearing helps me on those days.
If you couldn't already tell, I love cats. I have 2 here in Norman (Church & Piper), and one back home in Tulsa (Lils). I also have a Siberian Husky named Jasper. I miss my pets in Tulsa, but am very lucky to have my two kitties (kids) here in Norman. They are siblings from the same litter. Church is blind, as he was born with Microphthalmia or "micro-eyes" Here are obligatory pictures:
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| Piper (left) & Church (Right); Photo courtesy of me. |
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| Lils & Me; Photo courtesy of me. |
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| Jasper. Photo courtesy of me. |
I enjoy listening to music, my favorite band is Animal Collective. I used to play the drums, but I haven't had a kit a several years, so I can't say I still play. I also like watching TV quite a bit, my favorite shows are Arrested Development (which I watch all of the time) and The Wire (which I rarely watch, because it is emotionally draining. WALLACE WHY?!) I also enjoy going out with my friends, although I don't have many here in Norman. I like wine and board games, especially when combined. I enjoy cross-stitching rap lyrics and framing them, but I haven't actually *finished* one yet. I also like knitting, but I'm really bad at it, and I can never find left-handed patterns. Or I'm just too lazy to follow them.
I don't like talking about myself very much, especially to "strangers" on the internet, even though I guess you are technically my classmates (& professor), so that's all ya get for now!
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| Me; courtesy of me (& Erin for taking the photo with my phone) |
Well, Sara: true confession: I don't know anything about microbiology... but I do enjoy cats, and you will find plenty of cats to delight you in the class announcements. And how great that you work as a vet's assistant. The vet we have is fabulous, and the assistants who work in the office there are both wonderful. They take very good care of our two completely incompatible cats (one mostly indoors, one mostly outdoors... but when their paths do cross, well, watch out!).
ReplyDeleteAnd your cats could become famous in this class if you want to make them into memes or feature them as characters in your stories! That's really sweet that you have been able to give a home to a cat who is blind. Those both look like very happy cats there in the picture you shared.
As for the Wire, yes, I bow down and worship. Greek tragedy has nothing on Frank Sobotka. He is totally tragic. I would rank it as the greatest TV series ever made... nothing else even comes close. There are plenty of other shows I really like, but it is in a category by itself.
And rap cross-stitch sounds like just the kind of creative mash-up that suits this class perfectly: fabulous!
Finally, I have to ask: is that Stonehenge for real, or mock-Stonehenge in a park somewhere? Either way: it looks great!
I fell in love with Microbiology after taking my first class over it back at TCC. It's fascinating, the power that organisms you can't even see have over the entire world. I think people are starting to realize how important of a field it is, especially with things like "superbugs" (multidrug resistant pathogens) and Zika in the news so much in the past few years. If you're interested in learning more about (medical) microbiology, I would suggest "Missing Microbes" by Dr. Martin Blaser. It's a really good read, and very easy to follow, even for people who don't know anything about Microbiology. He gives a very good intro to the subject, but then also talks a lot about antibiotic use (& misuse) and things like allergies or other chronic diseases. It's interesting and very informative. I got my copy on Amazon. (https://www.amazon.com/Missing-Microbes-Overuse-Antibiotics-Fueling/dp/0805098100) If we were in a physical classroom, I'd totally bring you my copy to borrow. It's one of my favorite (non-fiction) books. Of course there are other incredible fields of microbiology, like environmental, but medical is my favorite. :)
DeleteYes!! I'm convinced that if someone doesn't think that The Wire is the best TV show ever, they haven't seen it (or watched one episode and gave up!) I agree 100%, nothing comes close! I still haven't finished it because I'm on an emotional-health break. I can usually only stomach a handful of episodes at a time, and even then I'll have nightmares for a while. Season 1 just about traumatized me - I didn't start season 2 for maybe 4-5 months after finishing it. (& I don't think I will ever fully recover from Wallace.)
That is the real Stonehenge! I was in England a couple of summers back, so my friend and I took a trip down to see it.
Hi Sara that is awesome you are a microbiology major, I am biology so it is pretty close. I remember taking microbiology two semesters ago and I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about it. I love cats too, but I also love every single animal so I guess it's nothing too special. But I agree with Laura you could definitely get your cats famous in this class. That's an awesome picture of Stonehenge, I have always wanted to go, but just have never had the opportunity. How was it? I bet it is amazing. I am super jealous and will definitely going soon.
ReplyDeleteI love all animals too :) Cats are just maybe my favorite, but I might be a bit biased, considering I work at a cat clinic heh.
DeleteEngland overall was really awesome! I definitely recommend it :) Stonehenge was really cool for sure. I had a good time there.
Sara, I loved your pictures from Paris and England! I just got back from the UK in June. I went on a mini study abroad trip and my friend and I took a weekend trip to Paris. The Eiffel Tower was really cool to see in person, especially after seeing so many photos of it and seeing it in movies. It was kind of surreal to see it in person. Did you feel the same, or is that just me? I have mad respect for those that can take the crazy science classes. I'm in the journalism college, so I haven't touched math and science in years! Sounds like you're on a great path!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I would LOVE to do study abroad, but I'm already so far behind in my coursework, that I'm already graduating like, at least a year late, lol. So I probably won't for undergrad at least.
DeleteAnd about the Eiffel Tower, YES! I tell everyone that! Like, Stonehenge is cool, Big Ben is cool, yada yada, but seeing the Eiffel Towel in person was the first time something took my breath away. It was unreal. I wish everyone could get a chance to see it in person.
Hey Sara!
ReplyDeleteI was born in July too! I was born on July 25th, and I've actually met a few people on campus with the same birthday as I haha. It's cool that both your parents work as RNs! It's pretty awesome that we're both microbiology majors! Your cats are sooooo cute!! It’s really sweet that theyre siblings. Is that Laboratory you work in run by our Pathology and Infectious Diseases teacher? That sounds awesome to work in!
=D Thank you!
DeleteAnd yes, I work in Dr. Lawson's lab! It's been great so far, and I'm really excited for the opportunities I'm going to have there. I honestly am shocked I got the chance to "work" there. I honestly just emailed him and asked if he wanted free help, sent him my resume and stuff, and apparently they were looking for an undergrad. It was a stroke of luck for sure. :)
For those of you that do not know, Sara and I have another class other than this one together and I am working on my senior thesis in another microbiology lab right next to Dr. Lawson's, so we bump into each other a lot and we also hang out together outside of lab and school. I can also say with confidence that she is a properly trained phlebotomist since she has drawn my blood before and there has been no bruising and she got the vein on the first try. My brother who is a registered nurse can even do that 100% of the time.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara! I am from Tulsa too, but I went to Union High school. I am amazed by your major and minors. You must have a handful since you also work as undergraduate research assistant and vet assistant. I just want to ask since Church is blind, do he/she needs extra care? In addition, in Jasper picture, is he white furred or it’s a black and white picture? Your pets are too adorable especially in the picture where Church and Piper laying together.
ReplyDeleteChurch doesn't really need "extra" care, the only thing I have to do special is make sure I keep my floors clear and my furniture arranged the same way, or else he'll get lost/confused and trip! He's actually a lot more confident and calm than his able-bodied sister though, haha! And as far as the picture of Jasper, it's both. He's an all white husky (with brown eyes too), and I took this photo in black and white and developed and printed it myself. :)
DeleteI think it's awesome that you are a microbiologist and getting two minors. I love the pictures of your cats! I also love that they are siblings! I wish I had a pet here in Norman but my apartment complex has a really high pet deposit. I think it's awesome that you love to knit! I don't knit well but I love to crochet! I have never watched the shows you mentioned but I am always looking for new series to watch!
ReplyDeleteI definitely didn't pay my pet deposit ;) ha, oops! You should totally watch the Wire! It's on Amazon prime! It starts off pretty slow, but gets really really good after the first couple of episodes. It's pretty, erm, graphic though, so just a warning!
DeleteHaha that is awesome! I have thought about sneaking a pet into my apartment but my luck would be they would find it when doing a maintenance check. I also don’t know what I would do if I got an internship over the summer and had to move away. My parents don’t want any more animals at their house. I will try Wire! I am not good at the graphic scenes but it is worth a shot! Thanks!
DeleteHey Sara!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed getting to learn more about you. I think your major is super cool, and I think its awesome that you know German. I'm actually from Tulsa too and took a bunch of classes over at TCC. Im usually not a big cat person (no offense) but your cats look super super cute and Jasper looks like a lot of fun. I love arrested developement, but I have actually never watched the Wire. Maybe ill check it out next time I have some free time from school lol.
Hi, Sara!
ReplyDeleteThe video you included in your intro was super cool- great idea!
I love that you're interested in medicine- I'm Pre-Med myself. I think it's really cool that youre a registered phlebotomist and studying microbiology. Im also highly interested in antibiotic resistance and Ive read several books over the topic- it really is something we need many people to study and get involved with if we don't want a catastrophe on our hands.
Nice to meet you!
Emily
Hey Sara! Loved your video and your pictures! I love both cats and dogs but I only have a dog because my mom is like EPI-pen level allergic to cats. It's great that you get to work with animals for your job. I understand when you say about sad days. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter back in Texas and I would cry some days too. Anyway, I hope you have a great semester!
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteThe Wire really is a great show. It is a shame that more people don't know about it/haven't watched it. Idris Elba did great as Stringer Bell. I agree with your feelings of sometimes finding it hard to share in this class, I definitely haven't taken any other classes like this. Thank you so much for sharing, good luck with the rest of the semester.
Andrew
Hello Sara,
ReplyDeleteThe song featured in your intro was different from the type of music I like to listen to, but I like that it shared a little bit more with the "strangers" of the internet about your personality and such.
I think that what you are trying to pursue in microbiology is really awesome! There is such a field in infectious disease with so much to be discovered that really will change the world.
I have to be honest here, I'm not a cat person. But I think my heart melted for the blind kitty a little. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog that I rescued all the way from Illinois from going to a puppy mill and he most definitely has my heart.
Please to read about you and look forward to your writing!
Hey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI find your passion for cats and microbiology really cool! It seems like you're really into the practical side of things too, with all of your various certifications and experiences. I also grew up around a lot of animals (mostly dogs, but a few cats here and there), so it's always nice to see people that care a lot for their pets.
Best of luck to you in this class and after!
Joe Wagner
Sara,
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you! It sounds like you got a lot of valuable experience before you ever made your way to Norman. I love that you work with animals. I find animals neat because of their unique personalities and emotional connection to humans. So thank you for working to save the cats! It sounds like you come from a pretty medical family, so it makes sense that you would follow suit. Researching infectious diseases and resistance sounds really cool! I hope it all works out for you, and I look forward to reading your work!
Thorpe
Hi Sara!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've had quite the journeys along the way! Your animals are gorgeous! I have a long haired cat the looks pretty similar to Lils (I LOVE long haired cats), and your siberian husky is absolutely beautiful. I had a husky growing up, and he was the best. I hope everything works out for you by the time you graduate, and after! Enjoy the rest of your semester!
I definitely thought Jasper was a polar bear at first.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, hi! Nice to meet you! It’s cool that you’ve just casually picked up so many degrees along the way. That sounds so handy and cool. Also, infectious disease sounds like a really awesome (albeit, sometimes depressing) field of study! I’m impressed that you know what sort of thing you want to do, and that you have passions and are pursuing them. Best of luck!