Experiments

I used to like laboratories. Its one of my favorite subjects way back in college I found interesting. The discovery, thrill and challenges in each experiment made me yawn-free. And my (tor)mentors just loved that.

From General Chemistry to Analytical Chemistry to Organic Chemistry, their corresponding laboratory moments were breaths of fresh air. Though I enjoyed listening to principles and theories, I just liked the fact of being involved in an actual application of those studies.

During these times, the laboratory apparatus was our bestfriend. They too had different personalities that I found fascinating. Dealing with them for a number of years inspired me to write a poem/snippets for some of them.

Lablife

The Tripod

All my life, I am a missionary. I reach
out to the common tao, prioritize their needs
over mine. This is my destiny.
Amen.

The Flask

I am a catwalk vamp, my fragile body's
flawless. A single and permanent wrinkle
means the end of my career. Too soon
to be categorized as has been.

The Bunsen Burner

Like a paid lover, I only provide
what is expected of me. Call me
a professional user, I can live with that.
Purely business, no more, no less.

The Wire Gauze

The loyal bodyguard, that's me.
I'd rather be the one jabbed instead
of my client. I'll repel the infiltration
of hostile forces. All in my hands.

The Stirring Rod

I cast a spell every now and then.
A single wave transforms a transparent liquid
to aqua blue, then lavender
or renders it invisible.  
Magic.

Its one of the most enjoyable poems I have written. I could have turned them into riddles. A year before our thesis year, one of our requirements was to submit a technical study about a possible product in the years to come. Our (tor)mentor was strict. She wanted us to be more creative and imaginative. To her horror, our classmate proposed a study of “Helmet from Coconut Husks”. We can’t stop laughing, well, our classmate might have been frustrated by the constant rejection of our teacher.

Anyway, I proposed this topic even without consulting enough related literatures; I thought this might get her interested. And lucky I was my topic “Condom Production from the Latex of Jackfruit” was accepted. I cited the population explosion problems and the unavailability of rubber trees in our country as major reasons for this one. This study made me realize that production of a certain item required careful analysis and thinking -- from the raw materials to the process operation to delivery. I drafted a poem inspired by the original raw material.

Lament of A Rubber Tree

The glint of your bolo was an omen;
as its blade scored my skin, you funneled
viscous blood, sold and stored it
in exchange for rupees and ringgits.

Every two days for thirty years,
if not you, your sons, returned,
sliced another portion until my batiked body
exuded nothing.

I may die now in the burning sun,
soon be a memory,
but am still with you ---
in sheaths that protects, in balls
and dolls your children play with;
even in my clones, synthetics.

I still breathe. I still bleed

On our final year, we had an experimental thesis, our group had “Proposed Formulation on Panel Board Glue Mix”. This thesis required an actual product / result to prove the feasibility of the study. Our group had experienced a lot of problems; I think having our report in typewritten format had the sympathy of our professor. Hehe! Modesty aside, our group was awarded as the Best Chemical Engineering Experimental Thesis. Oh, those memories.

Going back to the opening lines of this entry, yes, I used to like laboratories. Not so much now. I am currently enjoying another field of Chemical Engineering, the Process Engineering. Hehe!

Anyway, I still think, life is like a laboratory… full of assumption, experiments and sometimes serendipities.

/totomai
09/15/07