Great minds think a like !

I am very lucky to have been to so many special places and buildings in my life. As my mother would say; I have a lucky star, and I would agree that this is particularly true in relation to my wonderful flatmates. One of them is called Thomas Le Blevec. He is a PhD student at Imperial University.

When one studies a PhD, like my father did for animal behaviour, you are so intensely focused on your studies that it becomes your whole world. All you talk about is your work. In that aspect, I am a lucky devil as Thomas does not bring his work home with him. I only know him as human Thomas; crazy Thomas.

This crazy flatmate called Thomas (he is the chap posing next to me like in the photo), is, as I have previously mentioned, a PhD student at Imperial University and is currently studying Mathematics and Geology.

I have always had an interest in science labs, especially as my father is a Fulbright Scholar scientist. Thus, I have always had a special connection with scientists because my father is one of them. In my mind, any form of science is similar to magic, as if you are not trained in its ways, it remains a mystery to you forever.

Alas, science has never loved me and therefore my friend's studies in geology has only led to disappointment for me, as he has still yet to find me a diamond. Anyway, or so he tells me, his actual long term goal is to find oil within rocks and thereby put an end to any needless destruction of the planet.

Having lived with Thomas for three years I have gleaned the odd nugget of gold in relation to geology knowledge. (Sadly it is a complicated subject and when Thomas explains it, he makes it even more complicated!) When ones whole life is about geology, I suppose it is hard to think about anything else. I am certain it is like this for other PhD students in different lines of work. They spend their whole life focused on their subject in order to become the best expert they can be. Such intensity can sap ones energy, and so this is where Thomas has found a supplementary passion for meditation, and in turn has taught me it too.

Now lets together back to Imperial, and my glorious outing there:

Our tour of Imperial University was insightful and I can understand now why it is regarded as one of the best Universities in the world. I myself have a strong connection to Imperial because I know two people who have studied there, my cousin who is weirdly named Thomas and my flatmate, both called Thomas.

As we entered, the lab the door closed with a hiss that made me startle. I was not allowed to touch anything. The tour of the lab was an amazing insight into how much research they do and how much work the students have to put in.

We had a PhD student show us around the big lab from a vantage point above it in a small room. I was warned by John that I was not allowed to touch any of the dangerous machines. Each machine had a specific purpose and they were complicated machines. Not to mention exceedingly expensive.

I remember as we walked into the lab that my senses were on high alert as I took in my surroundings. The first item my eyes settled upon was the dangerous hydrogen gas coming out of the machines. What I did not appreciate was our guide saying that we only had five minutes in the lab otherwise the gas would choke us to death. It was one hell of an experience.

Perhaps he was just scaring us, as we did not choke on the gas despite being in there for more than five minutes, but in any case my dear readers, I did survive to blog once more and shall continue to do so for many weeks to come!