Well, this is my last week at work, the place where I have spent my time for the last 12 years.

I was just a green 23 year old, new graduate student and in the time I've been here, so much has happened to shape me as a person.

Dealing with my boss has never been easy, but somehow working with the people I work with has made the insanity bearable.

I love my lab not just because I'm surrounded with smart, funny people, but because we're such a mish-mash of people from different countries, races and backgrounds. The times we've spent together chatting at work, outside of work, over yummy food and drinks have been a total blast.

I've learned most of what I know about far away places not from going there (though I'd like to do that someday), but by listening to stories and philosophies of my labmates.

As a matter of fact, I kind of feel less like they're colleagues that I'm friendly with than friends I just happen to spend the day working with. =)

Sorry for the sap, but I'm really gonna miss these guys.

It's not often you find a group of people who really like you and are willing to put up with your shit (and vice versa). That rocks.