Diary of Angela Udemba,
Year 1, MChem course

Monday

Lab day today! I woke up at 8.30am again - I keep forgetting that we don't start until 10.15am on Mondays! I could have had an extra hour in bed. Never mind. I wonder what experiment they have lined up for us today. Last week's experiment was not bad at all. It is always more interesting when we get to synthesise a product from scratch or use some kind of machine; HPLC, GC, infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers look so complicated that naturally, I panicked when I first used them. That said, with training, they are the easiest things to use. Secretly, I think it is kind of cool that we can operate such machines and produce complicated spectrums similar to those you see in textbooks!

Anyway, got to get ready for lab, but first, I must find my lab-bag in this mess of a room.

Hello again! I am so exhausted. I went straight to the gym after my lab session and worked out for two whole hours, I am proud of me. This fitness regime will last, fingers crossed. We synthesised some pretty coloured crystals today. Me and my lab partner worked extra hard in the lab so we can get 2 experiments done this week, which means we can have Monday and/or Tuesday completely off next week…hooray!!! Definitely an early night for me tonight. So, apparently, lasagne is for dinner, yummy! Alice (my house mate) bless her, has prepared dinner already. So shower first, then dinner. No, dinner first then shower, I am starving!

Tuesday

So much for an early night last night. My housemates dragged me out to 'the Charles' (our local pub) for a drink, so now, I'm suffering from headache, amongst other things and I have to go to lab. I am glad I went out though; it was a lot of fun and I lost my voice at the end of the night! Everyone was in a very good mood. In the lab we got to use a high-resolution infrared spectrometer to produce a vibration-rotational spectrum of CO!! My lab work has got me excited about chemical research and also working at GSK (my industrial sponsors), but I must contain my excitement as I have two more years to complete before I can face 'the big world' in my Year in Industry placement.

I cannot possibly have a bad day when the day is so lovely, sunny and warm. We had lunch in Vanbrugh college (I could live on their buffet salad every day) and got befriended by the cutest white ducks while we were eating on the grass by the lake! I didn't realise ducks can be so friendly though I think they were more interested in our food. Can't say I blame them, Vanbrugh salad is good stuff!

Wednesday

Ah, the lazy day! Just one hour lecture and the rest of the day free! Of course I am going back to sleep after the morning lecture, following my late night last night. Me and my housemates and neighbours are having a BBQ for dinner; hmm I can smell it already. But before I leave this room, I must get my tutorial work done so I better get down to business.

Tutorial work done, phew!! I actually quite like tutorials (not so much the work side). They can be quite fun depending on who is hosting it and the topic. Of course it helps that I get on very well with my tutorial group.

Thursday

Today is going to be a good day! Alice and I are hosting a dinner party for our housemates and neighbours and we have two lectures with Andy Parsons today. The Chemistry social is also tonight, it gets better and better!

Andy Parsons does not disappoint! He performed a version of Britney Spears' 'Bbq one more time' with the words changed to carbonyl chemistry terms! Hilarious! Last week it was a poem about carbonyl Chemistry and if you are unfortunate enough to sit in the front row, you are more than likely to be picked to act out a chemical reaction in fast and slow motion! He definitely chose the wrong profession, he is obviously meant to be an entertainer not a chemist! Who else sings to you and recites ridiculous poems during lectures?

The dinner party was a success. We cooked a roast dinner with all the trimmings and it took us 3 hours. Everyone said it was the best roast they have ever had. Shane, our house eating champion, was too ill to enjoy it fully. Apparently, Alice and I have to do this every week - we have no choice! We may as well start charging for cooking services - we could make a fortune. My housemates are being extra cool this term. We all get on so well, it's such a shame that we are moving into separate houses next term, but I am sure we will keep in touch.

I am looking forward to the Chemistry social tonight. We are meeting in Langwith college bar and then we're off to Toffs nightclub!

Friday

Not much happening today. I have lectures in the morning and afternoon. At least we have a lecture with Andy Parsons. That's something to look forward to, though I wouldn't mind having the 'Happening' every Friday. 'Happening' (which took place in week one) was initially a challenge, but it turned out to be loads of fun! The whole point of the Happening was for each college group to market and sell a certain product to a "company director", the legendary Andy Parsons. I was in the group in charge of finance for my team. Our college came fourth and Langwith won! I personally think our presentation was the best. We showed a live version of the 'TV advertisement' for our product, with the one and only Dr Adam Lee acting as our shampoo 'model'! I got talked into being one of the female 'models', to help show the power of the shampoo as an aphrodisiac.

It is not the first time I have been a 'model' whilst in York though the first time was a lot more professional and a lot less humiliating. Actually, it was such an amazing experience and one I will never forget. I took part in Fusion 2006 (a dance Fashion show that raises money for charity) as a model for Mango and got to perform to an audience of over a 1000 people! I cannot wait for the dance workshop with Lynzi, an MTV choreographer who also choreographed the incredible opening dance for Fusion 2006. Although I do miss performing, I do not regret choosing to do Chemistry instead of Performing arts. I hope the Drama Soc have good plays lined up for next term. I am looking forward to the auditions.

Time to get ready for lectures now. I am looking forward to our Friday night ritual, dinner at the Charles and then nachos from JJ's, our college bar after the Charles closes.