Week 7:
Time Flies

July 21, 2021

This week, I received disappointing news; the materials I have been waiting for will not arrive before my internship ends. Fortunately, Microtek has some components leftover from past projects that I can use to test my procedure and get a rough idea of how my results would have turned out.

This ordeal with my materials has been frustrating, to say the least, but it has given me an interesting look at the supply chain and has allowed me the time to help with several odd jobs. In addition to helping Microtek’s normal production tasks, I’ve had the opportunity to troubleshoot an autoclave and help the engineers with projects they are actively developing. This last week, I helped set up and develop an operating procedure for a new oven to allow Microtek to cure epoxies in a nitrogen environment.

It has become my weekend tradition to spend Saturday mornings at Fletcher Park Cove. For the past several weeks, Dobby has been enrolled in a puppy training class in Solana Beach. From the location of Dobby’s class, it’s a 7-minute walk to the Cove, so I’ve made a habit of tagging along and spending the morning reading on the beach. I’m currently reading Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson on Spencer’s recommendation. Early this summer, Spencer and I bonded over our shared interest in sci-fi and fantasy books. Since then, he has recommended several series. I have yet to be disappointed.

This past school year, as part of my project for advanced analytical chemistry, my lab partner and I evaluated the metal content in mineral-based sunscreens. We bought several different brands for the project, which left us with enough sunscreen to last the next several summers. Needless to say, my sunscreen surplus has been exceptionally valuable this summer, and I’ve managed to keep the sunburns to a minimum.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day in San Diego, so Michelle and I decided to take the scenic route back from Solana Beach. We stopped briefly in Del Mar to take in the view and snap a few pictures.

Overall, July has flown by. This weekend, it occurred to me that I only have two weeks left in San Diego. It was a bittersweet realization because I’ve really enjoyed my time here, and there are still a couple things I’d like to do before I head home. At the same time, I’m excited to go back to Colorado and spend a few days with my family. I usually dedicate a good portion of my weekends to calling my family and checking in. All three of my sibling are home right now, so there is always something happening on the homefront.