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Sat. June 5, 1999
After breakfast today everyone met in the physics building where our mentors gave talks mainly on the subjects our their students work. I heard (and actually partially understood) talks about variable stars, active galaxies, layers of plasma above the Earth, and black holes. Every student in the room was relieved when noon rolled around and we got to stretch our butts a bit and go to lunch. Little did we know, after we ate the eyelids only became heavier for the second round of talks.
Lunch at a buffet-type restaurant gave way to the last talks of the day and of the weekend meeting. Another ultimate frisbee match was set up for the afternoon but I'm afraid these old bones couldn't stand for it. Dr. Leake, Dr. Simpson, and I accompanied the dueling teams out to the field where I attemped to take these action shots!
A great evening came at the end of the day. Dr. Shaw opened his home to the entire group for what was a great set of food and yet more bonding. Mingling followed dessert and the musicians in the groups gathered in the Shaw's family room. Dr. Wood and Jason Gaines started it off each singing and playing guitar. Some time passed while I talked with Dr. Leake and others before I was finally brave enough to join the musical clod that had formed in the other room. Dr. Wood accompanied me on Johnny B. Goode, a little tribute to the Commitments' Mustang Sally, and I did a solo Heavenly as sung by Harry Connick Jr. Jason wanted to play around with the roots of music in the south and lead us in an improv set of the blues. A few of us made lyrics up first (generally centering around Star Wars) then every person in at the party (and I mean every person) took a chance and made up their own lyrics. It was amazing to see people let down their guard just long enough to follow the guitars and let a little bit of blues out of their mouthes. The evening closer was sung and played by Dr. Wood. It was the official Sarah theme song and it set all of our hearts towards the time we'll each get to spend observing up on Kitt Peak.
Bonding was the word of the day today. Even the mentors declared that no other REU group had become so close and comfortable so quickly as we had. But, lo, tomorrow we will all part for our separate institutions only to again meet after 8 weeks at the finalé of the program.
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