16 May 2000 Lindsey Hillesheim ('99)

I have some good news to share, and I can't remember if I told you already. Every year the department of physics here gives out Outstanding TA of the year awards. Usually about 6 TAs (of about 80 or so) get it. I was one of the people who received it. We got a nice plaque and $150.

Next fall looks to be interesting as right now I am not taking any physics classes. My advisor wants me to take a biochem class on metabolism and a statistics class for my research. I'm also taking a class called Science and American Culture just because I want to. The spring will be more physics though. Which is just as well as I'll need to be studying for my oral examination.

I just secured a research assistantship this past week with funding guaranteed for 3 years. No more TAing! I start my RA and in June so I have the next few weeks to myself. Of course, I will be doing some background reading for my research (mostly BioChem stuff) and trying to get out and explore the Twin Cities. And all of my housemates will be out of town, so I can have the house all to myself. More importantly, I'll have all the strawberries out of our garden for those few weeks to myself! You would be quite amazed at all the stuff we have growing. Peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, tomatos, lettuce, rhubarb, onions, raspberries...

I bought a book called Hiking Minnesota and am hoping to go on several over of the course of the summer.

I guess thats the news for now. Hope you are doing well!

Lindsey Hillesheim