Been such a busy term - Wk 7 already. Our work can be very demanding, and draining – sometimes it’s hard to find the joy. I am so grateful for all of you out there in the Chemtalk ‘etherlands’ - your goodwill, cheerful support and laughter keep me going. Please hang in there, Sue and Ian, for all our sakes. Must have been something in the air last week, though - my story’s a real doozy too. Better grab a coffee….
Tuesday I spent half the day making up the phenolphthalein agar, ready for Thursday. The prep room set up is an OHS concern when preparing this prac, as my bench space is limited. I had 2 lots of agar going, each on a hot plate – these are set up on an old trolley (without wheels). Only have one 2L beaker, and it’s survived a couple of years now, but not a very thick glass – then I remembered Whspa’s disaster last year, so used 2 thicker 1L beakers instead. Also did a second batch in the microwave for a smaller tray. That’s definitely my preferred method, but only one microwave available, and it’s in the staff kitchenette down the corridor, and would take too long to do it all that way. Thankfully they all worked 1st time, big relief, especially when 2 huge boxes from Serrata were waiting for me next morning.
However, I then found an order for 500mLs each x 2M, 1M & 0.5M of 7 different acids, all to be made up volumetrically, for Thursday morning. I asked teacher and then HT whether I could have more time, but was told that order had been placed in staffroom on Tuesday afternoon, and that I still had 24hrs. Asked SAM for help, but none available.
So I said I would do my best, but could not work overtime like I often do. (This week I started work experience at a café in the evenings, hoping to find a second job, as my youngest of 6 is turning 16 this year).
Had to juggle just to find empty bottles, also we now buy our distilled water and there wasn’t that amount at hand, but by the end of the day (my second with only one quick break, and I am diabetic) I was pretty pleased to have made up 7L – the 1 & 2M’s, although I could not get the last solution to dissolve. This was one I’d not been able to identify by the formula given, HCO
3, until HT said it was bicarb soda. Tried it again next morning, but still no luck. Queried it with the teacher when I took it in to the lab, as it seemed to be saturated to me, even the 1M.
She came in after the period to say I’d made up the wrong solution. I explained what I’d done, even showing her my SI Data book. After some searching, she asked if we had any Carbonic Acid. None in my manifest, so I looked it up in CSIS to check for common names. Soda Water!
Thankfully we could laugh about it all then - I said intended to frame that prac order!
On the plus side, it was a good opportunity for my HT to observe me mixing solutions for my Cert lll Traineeship. This is my first training (in 5 years), other than the Conferences in Sydney, and I’d only been shown the volumetric method last year. Maybe also a chance to renegotiate the 24hr notice for pracs. Now that we're on 4 period days, and they forget or put them in late, it's very difficult to juggle everything - or even have enough equipment.
Rest of the week very busy catching up with everything else, but at least on Friday I took 2 breaks!
Alrhough I haven't even opened those new boxes yet....
Oh, BTW, the work experience was fun, & I was told my coffees were drinkable, but boy I’m glad the weekend’s arrived!
Another blessing, too – after all that I went in on the spur of the moment to see if I could get a ticket to Don McLean‘s concert here next Wednesday night, and I did – so guess who’ll be singing American Pie the loudest, and from the second row, no less. I’ve earned it!