I sit here writing this blog absolutely exhausted. Not the, “Oh, I’m so tired. I only got 4 hours sleep exhausted.” More like the, “I’m so exhausted that my head is spinning and I could sleep 16 hours straight exhausted.”

Welcome to finals time.

Two all-nighters in the last week just eat away at one. Today was an education class at 9 a.m. and my professor decided to show us a video about how we could change a life if we do a fine job of teaching. The story was about a boy whose mom had died and gave up on school. I spent the last ten minutes bawling. Not sleeping will do that to a person.

From there I drove straight to my Biochemistry and Biotechnology lab final. It’s not an easy task to write about sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid after so little sleep.

A quick thank-you goes out to Charu, the TA for the lab; she works her tail off and I would like her to know I appreciate it.

From there I went to my first Senate meeting. (Did I mention I was voted the Sugar Land Student Senate representative?) While there I met a woman from China who is this year’s Senator. I love people from China, at least all of those I have personally met. They are so humble and interesting to speak with. I made a new friend and I’m glad I did.

Being glad didn’t break through the cloud of exhaustion that refuses to leave my head or free my body. I will probably pull two more all-nighters within the next week and do a minimum of 40 projected hours of homework along with studying for finals. Yes, I do project my homework in order to stay organized.

I wouldn’t trade the chance to be exhausted, meet friends, and learn all that my brain has always loved in the world of science for nearly anything in the world.

I am grateful for an education and I'm determined to keep my eyes fixed on a goal that has taken 22 years to make a reality.