There is an unspoken awareness that today is our last day together. A Russian breakfast:
Next was our participant's forum where an informal debate is held amongst a selected student panel and the LIYSF body:
The three questions discussed were:
- "Is it ethical to use embryonic when we can now use adult stem cells in research?"
- "Should scientists specialize earlier or be generalists?"
- "Is it ethical to induct patients into clinical trials for new drugs when they cannot afford alternatives?"
Ooh that first one is very touchy! I was grateful to see the mutual respect and maturity carried through the exchange of opposing views.
After the lecture, we all clumped outside to sign each other's notebooks and get final photos together. I have the feeling at least one of us will receive the Nobel prize and we'll all be happy for their signature then! The amassing of farewell comments continued well through lunchtime on Queen's lawn:
There was a jolly good farmer's market on today ...
... and I bought some blueberries. These, however, were no ordinary blueberries: they have pentagonal symmetry!
Or maybe I've just never noticed this delightful pattern.
I had hopes for a last volleyball rally, but there were simply too many heads around. After exhausting our last lunch break together, we needed to throw on some posh clothes for the closing lecture and ceremony:
As we waited to enter the lecture hall, photos and signatures kept creating an avalanche of nostalgia:
The final lecture concerned the study of epidemics with modern science. Prof. Sir Roy Anderson examined the workings of recent plagues including the 2014 Ebola streak in West Africa and discussed where epidemiology is heading today.
The closing ceremony followed immediately and reconciled us to the fact that LIYSF was almost complete. Despite the sadness in our hearts, we were all reminded of the countless events over the last two weeks that have made it so hard to part ways. After a long list of acknowledgements to the many contributors of LIYSF, we were moved to tears by Matthew singing farewell to a bittersweet ukulele.
I was genuinely disappointed upon asking to hold the Canadian flag after the session. "Or else everyone will want to hold theirs." Okay, I guess it makes sense, but this was an honor I felt entitled to. The best I could do was take a picture:
After a hearty supper with the Spaniards and the two other Canadians (Josh and Sonya)...
... the socializing was desperate and everyone who knew someone wanted to say goodbye and exchange notebooks.
Back in the common room, I soon grabbed my laptop and hammered away at backlogged blog posts. Although I initially considered skipping the farewell party for this work, the idea perished under swift and unanimous protest. A last reflection on my unpacked room:
I ended up jogging to the party about an hour late and I'm grateful I didn't miss it!
Unlike the welcome party where everyone was sheepishly acquainting themselves, tonight's dance floor was a carousel of familiar faces flying through the sift of passing memories.
As trinkets exchanged and future wishes bestowed, alas the final song marked the end of the official farewell.
Just look at these sad girls:
A great way to share memories with someone is to write on their shirt with permanent marker:
As on that first night a crowd of strangers wandered London's lamp-lit streets, now a host of friends strolled the familiar path that would lead them home to Australia, Turkey, Japan, Columbia, ...
Although I had an early morning to conquer, I considered this last night to be the final leg of an unforgettable two week journey that ought not be hastily concluded. I dwindled till the wee hours in the common room and at last ended our visit on a dramatic note: "so long, farewell, auf vederseihn adieu; adieu, adieu to you and you and you" (I didn't attempt Friedrich's high note, if you know what I'm talking about).
While mustering souvenirs, paperwork, clothes, coins, and memories, I paused to capture the current state of my clipboard:
Do I need to say that I underestimated the planning I still had to catch my flight via transit?
Etienne
