Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hello! Welcome to To-TEA-ly Bri! My name is Bri and I am 21 years old. I am a recent graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, completing my bachelors degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Biology. My journey through higher education has led me to a Ph.D. program at the University of Mississippi, where I plan to obtain my doctorate degree in Biochemistry. However, I am not ONLY a student! I am an avid tea drinker, fashion enthusiast and an adventure-seeker. I created this blog to serve as a space that displays all of my passions. I hope that you will take this journey through life with me as I record the steps I take toward my Ph.D., my favorite teas, and stories of my adventures.

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Dirty Hot Chocolate

Okay, I know, I know! Technically, this is NOT Tea. But this is the drink I have been absolutely loving this winter. Oxford, Mississippi is way colder than I could have ever anticipated and I am always craving something nice and warm. However, I am not a big coffee drinker. This recipe is the perfect blend of warmth with just enough kick to get you through the day. I hope you enjoy it! What is it? Dirty Hot Chocolate is your traditional hot chocolate with a bit of a kick. Typically, it adds a shot of espresso to your cup, providing just the right amount of caffeine needed to either start your day or allowing you to finish it strong. Unfortunately, as a broke college student, I don't have an espresso machine. So, here, I provide an alternative to this beverage that is just as good! I use the Swiss Miss classic milk chocolate hot chocolate. Of course, any brand would do for this. I prepare this as per the directions on the box by heating ~ 8 oz of water and adding the co...

5 Things I Learned As A 1st Year Graduate Student

I have learned so much this year, and not all of it pertained to chemistry as you might have expected. This post describes some things that I learned about graduate school, that I wish I would have known before coming in. Hopefully this can help someone else out on their journey. My desk on a busy day :) 1. It's not always about what you know. This is probably one of the most important things I could have picked up on in my program. Being book smart can only get you so far, no matter the field you are in. At some point, you have to rely on the connections made with others to help push you along. And I'm not just talking about professors and people super high up on the tenured totem pole. I'm talking about secretaries of offices, the barista at the Starbucks, the person that works in the mail room.... and of course professors and faculty too. But if ...

Choosing Biochemistry

As a child, you are constantly asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I always knew I wanted to do something science-related, but I never imagined that I would be pursuing Biochemistry. In the movies, you always see eager college freshmen moving onto campus with their perfect major picked out, with their entire life planned out down to the age that they plan to retire. This picture-perfect scenario was the total opposite of how I came to college and discovered my true passion. I began my studies at Xavier University of Louisiana in the summer of 2012. This was directly following my graduation from high school in Tennessee. I had never even been to Louisiana a day in my life. I knew from my experiences in high school that I loved chemistry and I also very much enjoyed my biology classes. However, I didn't know that I could combine the two and get the best major ever created! I started at Xavier as a Chemistry and Math double major. I realized very quickly that ...

To-TEA-ly Bri

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