Alissa's firsts in Carlsbad

  Although I’m spending this winter only an hour away from home, the common theme of my term seems to be new experiences and first-timers.  I realized this while I was locked in a sauna sitting thigh to thigh with my three roommates being blasted by waves of scorching air.  I remember thinking, “Hmmm….European sauna therapy, this is definitely a first.”  This had me thinking about all the new experiences that I have encountered this term, so I put together a short list:

  

1.                    First off, I managed to land in the business world, which inevitably means….NO sweat pants or tank tops/NIRTS! 

I am interning for the business development team at Isis Pharmaceuticals in Carlsbad, CA.  Isis is a small biotech company of about 300 employees with a remarkable pipeline of 26 drugs in clinical trials.  Isis leads the pharmaceutical industry in RNA-based technologies with their antisense platform.  I am working with some amazing and brilliant individuals at Isis and am learning so much about the biotech industry and the many facets of business.  Although everyone keep assuring me that as a member of the business team I only need to know the basic chemistry behind the drugs, I feel like I have gotten a four-week crash course on organic chemistry and human biology. 

2.                    I fit in with the 30 and older demographic quite nicely

Every single one of my friends is at least 8 years older than me.  From my roommates to my coworkers, I am by far the baby of the group.  Although this was terrifying to me at first, I have learned so much from all the people around me about life after college and some of the decisions that I will be making in the next couple of years.  I have also learned that just because I am 10 years younger does not mean I am more athletic or physically able.  I often work out with some of my coworkers at the end of the workday.  My boss asked me to spot him while he bench-pressed once.  (I don’t know why he trusted me with his safety when he was benching over 300 pounds.  No chance I’d be able to save him if it came down to it!)  Today we just found out that there will be a volleyball court set up at our work by the end of the week.  Honestly, I’m a little worried that some of these guys might school me on the vb court.

3.                    Yoga can be fun and green smoothies are delicious

My roommate Stefan has introduced me to yoga for athletes and the art of green smoothie making.  I have to admit; I was more than skeptical to try either of these practices in the beginning, but it turns out I have a knack for both.  I have been going to hot yoga cross fit classes a couple times a week and I love them.  It combines the practice of yoga with a little cardio and is a challenging workout.  And who would have ever thought that a smoothie primarily made of collard greens, chard, kale and wheatgrass would be tasty?  Well now, I actually crave these smoothies every day after I work out. 

4.                    I really miss the snow and Hanover winters

Just kidding! But after all is said about my new experiences, I do really miss my teammates and being on campus at Dartmouth!  I am definitely looking forward to getting back for the spring term.  In the meantime I am enjoying the 75 degree days in San Diego and spending time close to family. 

Alissa