What Will Grow?

Okay, so you all know by now that we are growing "things" in my microbiology class. More specifically we are growing microorganisms. Let me just tell you that after our lab the other day there was some pretty funky stuff growing on my plate that I touched my hand to. Even after I washed my hands, there was funk that grew! But today, it got even more interesting. We swabbed a "sweaty" part of our bodies...armpits were off limits because deodorant may inhibit bacterial growth and we all hope that everyone is wearing deodorant. We also swabbed the back of our throats! My throat I am sure will grow a ton of stuff, but we are looking for a specific type of bacteria that is Beta hemolytic. These are more likely to cause sickness. I won't get too specific, but this class has made me realize what a true nerd I am. I love this stuff. Yes, it's gross, but it is so fascinating!

School is going well and I am maintaining good grades despite the rapid pace of the class. But I am spending lots of time studying at home to maintain it. I have spent a couple hours today, a few hours yesterday and about five hours the day before. It will all be worth it in the end.

Today was Preston's kindergarten graduation and I was sad that I couldn't attend. In fact, Preston asked me again this morning if I was going to be there. I had to explain to him that I wouldn't be there, but that Daddy would be there and he was going to video it for me. That made him feel a bit better. And might I add that James did a wonderful job on the "video-ing." I was able to watch it this afternoon and well, I almost cried when I saw what I had to miss today...almost cried.

Oh, by the way...that "sweaty" part I swabbed was the crook of my arm (inner elbow). My swab had self tanner all over it! How funny is that? I am glad that I don't really care because that could have been embarrassing if I were to claim that I was naturally this color of orange!

Here's somthing fun to look at. I grew these all by myself! But for clarification, these are from cultures, not from my body! The green stuff on the bottom is E. coli. There are two other types of bacteria growing on this plate as well, but I won't bore you with their names!