Day 31


As our parting day quickly approaches, participants become anxious and dread the departure that has yet to become a memory. To mark our 7th to last day, we mark our last “true” outing. As many participants start having a difficult time waking up with the clock ticking, we set our alarms to ensure we woke before 7 A.M. (some aiming for 7:20 A.M.). We head onto the bus that we pray won’t break down and anticipate the waters that await. Upon arrival, many voices of sarcasm could then be heard saying, “that is definitely a lake.” But with all jokes aside, the day passes quickly and is effortlessly filled with laughter and joy as participants go kayaking (possibly going in circles for eternity), swimming, and going for joy rides on boats (to then also do flips off the boat and belly flop into the water). 

Eventually, we head back to the dorms with rushes of people heading to the showers (almost like a Black Friday line) and others who simply choose to get lunch first (avoiding said Black Friday line). Once this stampede is subdued, we meet with the Purdue genomics program one last time at 2:45 P.M. and explore downtown Bloomington, as well as head to a museum to converse over various pieces of art and expensive tote bags. As the day comes to a close, we part our ways after an eventful dinner and head back to our dorms.

With only one week left, words will never describe the amount of friends I have met, things I have learned, and life lessons I will carry for the rest of my life in the short amount of time I have been at IU. Nor will there ever be enough time for everything else I could have learned if I had more time with the participants, the TA’s and Dr. Hollenbeck. Alas, I shall end it here.

-Maybeline