Dear Universe...

Dear Universe,

I'd love some active protein for my experiments. Not a lot, just enough to do the experiments. I've been putting in my time -- 70, 80 hours a week, been here at 7a.m. on a Saturday barely out of bed, putting my whole heart and soul into these darn little bugs that are supposed to be making me some PROTEIN. I've worked hard and figured out the purification strategy, now, could you just have it be active? Universe, if you could just throw some serendipity my way, I'd be mighty appreciative. Might even mention you on my acknowledgment slides in my Ph.D. defense. Now how would you like that? Betcha you'd like it a lot. I'd like it too. Can we be friends?

Love,
Nicolle
...aka, the tired, hard working, ready-for-vacation-but-has-a-committee-meeting-when-she-gets-back, still hopeful after all these years graduate student.