I LOVE BMI!

I think I finally have my classes worked out, but that may just be misleading, since I may have to change them again. At the moment I'm taking Probabilistic Analysis, Intro to Biomedical Informatics, and Algorithms in Biology. I also am going to audit a Machine Learning course. While I think it's pretty important, I don't necessarily think I should take the course for a grade, since I think it goes beyond the scope of what I need to learn. It includes mathematical proofs of the various algorithms implemented in machine learning. Since I plan on taking an AI course next fall that includes a machine learning section, I'm assuming I'll get something out of it for then.

At noon was Sam Pearlman's qualifying exam! We all went to his talk. Before the talk Christine Hilliard (the student services officer) brought in the paper where my blog (and the blogs of other PhD first years) was featured. She was being really funny and putting it on the table and pointing it out to people. Of course my reaction is embarrassment, which is just so typical me! The picture does not do the room justice. It was PACKED. Standing room only! He did a great job, and of course passed! I kept David company in Lynx for lunch, where I came to the realization that the increased prices must be from the dishes and silverware, which are pretty nice. I wasn't particularly impressed with the food either time I've been there, and today I noticed it smelled a little like airplane food. To be fair, I've always had previously prepared meals, so maybe it's time for me to buy one of their meals created by a "real chef"!

After this we headed down to our BMI210 class (Mark Musen's) class, where we learned some pretty depressing and scary details about the healthcare in the US! All the first years, aside from Marina who is could be taking her quals this month if she felt like it, are in this course, plus a couple more BMI people (postdocs and a co-term). We all bunch together in one spot. Noah even brings lunch like it's a social hour! Alex knew everything inane in the course, again! For example, he knew that the name for ROC curves came from a World War II reference for determining if a blip on the radar was a bird or a plane. After class we stood around and chatted, and as it turns out, Alex speaks Portuguese with an accent from Portugal, and learned Italian, French and Latin in high school, like all other students in New Hampshire-right?

While we were walking after class, Russ Altman (our program director) was riding by on a bike and as he was passing shouted "I read your blog!" and gave a "thumbs up". We all started laughing! It was pretty funny-but you probably had to be there. At my CS374 class, a student came up to me and asked me if I was Sarah. Turns out he saw the article as well, and mentioned that he was Swiss! I felt too intimidated to speak Swiss German with him, but it's probably a good place to practice. Besides, I love making new friends! Unfortunately he had disappeared by the time I turned and looked over after class. That was unfortunate!

On my way back to MSOB I walked by the CCSR where I saw the hilarious message (pictured) on the top floor of the building. This school is definitely unique! I started work on the MS&E220 assignment, which proved to be a bit more tricky than the course makes it seem! I'll have time to work on it with David tomorrow! We were informed of a post-qual get together in California, which we of course planned to attend.

David and Ryan and I all arrived to join the group at this fun burger place on California Avenue called The Counter. It's a funny place where you pick your meat, bun, and toppings. Maureen also ordered sweet potato fries! They were SO good! The dinner was great, complete with nerdy science references such as glowing pickles, GFP and traditions of drinking alcohol from wetlab equpiment. After that we went to a place called the Nuthouse, about half a block away, where we continued to celebrate. It was so fun! We laughed a lot, swapped stories, and I acquired additional Stanford wisdom (including something called Full Moon on the Quad-which I am too old and too committed to participate in, but is really funny) and learned new great things about all my fellow BMIers! They get better by the minute I swear! Wow I'm up late! Enjoy the pictures below from the night out, I'm off to bed!

Alex trying to show David and Jessie why it's called the Nuthouse

Congrats to Sam (second from left)

Cheers! (To 3 pitchers of beer and Sam's very MANLY drink at The Counter)

David is losing it also...

We're all there, I know it looks really dark!

Pitcher #2 already on the table!

And it's gone already! And by the look on Ryan's face, I can guess where it went!

Marina joins us, and so does pitcher number three!!

I have a conversation with Marina's boyfriend, and future rotation lab-mate Eugene.

Alex...he probably just pulled out some amazing trivia at this point.

Funny stories make me laugh

David shows Nikesh and Alex what I look like on the med school homepage! The resemblance is uncanny!!! Ryan's pouring beer in the back!