Over the weekend I have been prepping my responses to potential interview questions that might answer. I've been looking up possible questions they might ask me, looking up some of the work the lab has previously done, and wrote how I would respond to possible interview questions on index cards. I have spent hours reviewing my material for this interview, even going as far as thinking of my responses to these possible questions during my jog and even trying going into the hallway outside my apartment to rehearse, but I had to prepare elsewhere since I was accidentally causing my neighbor's dog to bark and I do not want to be a contributor to a noise complaint.

As I returned to my apartment from doing some groceries, I heard my phone ding and I saw that it was another text from my mom. Sure sometimes her frequent texts can be a bit much at times but compared to the rest of my family, she and I have a close relationship, as well as the only family member that really still talks to me in a level that is more than the occasional "Happy Holidays!" text. So we just texted each other for a little bit that day with me discussing the Field Museum interview and she discussing what happened at her job over the past week, which in my mind seems as if she is telling me the same as she told me last week, and the week before that, and the week before that...you get my point.

After that I just scrolled through my Instagram account out of boredom, mostly seeing the nature photos I've taken along with food pictures my friends have taken, still unsure why would people take pictures of their food anyway. After that, I just cooked up a small pasta dish, ate a bowl of it and went to bed.

The next two days were really focused on preparing for my interview, going over the questions I looked up, laying out my clothes for the day of the interview, printing my resume and special access pass. All of that preparation came to an end by the time I fell asleep Monday night

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

I wake up to the noise and saw that it was five in the morning on my alarm. I turned the alarm off, and as part of my daily routine, I got myself ready for the day, plus shaving my face in order to avoid having any stubble during the interview. Though I had to wash my face some more for that aftershave irritation to wear off. After that, I just had a bowl of cereal for breakfast while watching the news, and after I finished my bowl, I placed it in the sink and went to my room to get dressed.

The attire I chose was nothing really unique, it was just a white button-down shirt, black dress pants with a matching jacket, and a navy blue tie. I practically wore this exact some thing on the day I received my doctorate in, actually I think that I'm wearing the tie from that event.

I then grabbed my hair and placed it in a ponytail to prevent my own hair from getting in my way for this job. I then grabbed my things and left my apartment. Even when I mostly take the CTA for transportation, I decided to take my car to the interview because I don't want to risk getting a stain on my jacket before the interview. After walking out of my building, I turned around the corner and walked twelve feet to where my car is parked. I have driven this car for seven year and barely use it, so I was not surprised to find dust on the dashboard. After wiping away the dust, I started the car and began my trip to the museum.

I am glad that I left early because there was a bit of a traffic jam and it took me some time to find a shortcut and after 30 minutes, I finally started to approach the museum. I approached the parking lot, and was reminded of one of the reasons that I do not take out my car frequently: paying for parking. But since I had a job interview to go to, I paid the attendant the 25 dollar guest parking fee and found a spot for my car. After I got out of my car and locked the doors, I started my walk towards the museum. I felt both excited and nervous at the same time because whether I get the job or not, I've felt as if I was starting my life all over again.

I arrived around forty five minutes early, so I decided to climb the large staircase in the main entrance to try to walk some of my anxiety away. When I reached the top, I opened the heavy glass doors that were there and I noticed that the main floor was not very crowded, but it was a Tuesday, and that's not necessarily a popular day for tourists.

To get to the interview, I needed to get through the security desk, so I waited in a short line until it was close to the desk. While mentally preparing myself for the interview, I heard a female voice call out "NEXT!"

Now out of my self-induced trance, a security women with dark blonde hair was gesturing towards me to come to her desk with a seemingly irritated expression on her face. I came to her desk taking out my driver's license and special access pass from my pocket.

"Hi, I'm sorry if I seemed distracted earlier, I guess I'm just a little distracted today, here's my license and special access pass" placing both documents on the desk. While taking both, she said

"Okay no problem, but next time become distracted after you pass security." She then takes a look at my documentation and notices my special access pass and I guess out of curiosity she then brought her attention back to me.

"I see you have a pass to go to the genetics lab, are you giving a lecture or something?"

I let out a small laugh and answered "Oh no I'm not giving a lecture. Although I wish I was because I would know what to study for that. I'm actually going for a job interview, I am interested in the researcher position in their lab so wish me luck."

After she scanned my pass and checked my license, she then gave them back to me.

"Oh okay, I wish you luck in you interview, and I'm sure that it'll go well."

"Thanks, I just hope that's true and I hope you have a nice day."

"Thanks! You too!"

I passed through the desk to the main plaza, seeing that it is more spacious compared to if it were on a Friday or Saturday, so I got to the base of the beige staircase in two minutes. I see that compared to the last time I have been in this museum, not much has changed other than the gigantic Titanosaur skeleton in the lobby, which made me what happened to the T-Rex skeleton that used to be there.

"Hmm...That's new! But to be fair it's been like five or six years since I've last been to this museum."

As I climbed up the stairs, I saw another change, alongside the bust of Stanley Field, a new bust is seems to be going up, but I honestly cannot tell since the pillar is covered with a brown tarp with caution tape surrounding it.

Then turned right to climb another set of beige steps until I reached the second floor and I walked in the hall where the exhibits and labs were towards my left and to my right was the railing in which one can overlook the first floor displays.

I eventually arrived at the labs, which had the name Pritzker DNA Discovery Center, knowing that I have arrived at the right place. I noticed that there is a window in which tourists and passer-bys can see the researchers work, and from what I see through the window, the lab seems to be in pristine condition. In the area in front of the window, outside the lab is a railing with informational tablets on both the lab's research and some general concepts in the field of genetics.

I eventually walked pass the DNA model statue in that plaza, and made my way to the entrance to the labs and office space, so I started to take my license and pass for the security guard by the door.

Even when I have the credentials to enter the lab, I couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated by the security guard. He was like six foot five and has a muscular built, so I was thinking that I probably should not mess with this guy. As I approached the guy I noticed that he seemed to be around the same age as me. He seemed to notice me approach the gate, and surprisingly he seemed to have smiled and then asked:

"Oh hello sir, may I help you with something?"

I just casually replied, "Yes, I am here for an interview with Pritzker's lab manager to interview for the researcher position here. Here is the special access pass for this lab."

He looks at the pass while asking me "Okay, no problem, are you just giving a lecture or something?"

"Hahaha...no I'm not, though you are actually the second person to ask me that. I am actually going to be interviewed to try to get the researcher position here. I'm suppose to see the lab manager, a Dr. Ma Tembo Ndefu I believe their name is, do you know who I am talking about?."

The guard soon used a device to scan my pass, which he then gave back to me along with my license, and seemed to have lightened up when I mentioned the lab manager.

"Man! That's so cool! I would not worry about the interview too much, Ma Tembo is such a nice person to talk to and as long as you show that you take your work seriously, you'll be fine!"

"I just hope that's true"

The guard proceeded to open the door and then gesturing for me to come with him with a "Right this way" soon after. I followed him into a white hallway, with entrances to the main lab on one side with a few doors indicating office spaces in the main area. He then led me towards the right of the hallway, where a couple of chairs are leaned against the wall.

"Just sit in this area, and I will notify someone to be with you in just a few minutes."

"Okay, thanks"

He then left the hallway for me to wait for the lab manager. The hallway seemed similar to one I saw when I worked at Genico, white paint and white floors with a research poster or two on the wall, but one thing stood out. Next to a research poster was an oil painting of what looks like a grassy area with a rock formation that almost looks like an L. Whoever painted this seemed to have been attentive to details because the textures present in this piece were very intricate and fastidious.I then turned back to make sure that I have written everything down that I needed in the resume and curriculum vitae that are in my hands.

A few minutes passed by when I heard a door open in front of me and I saw a woman who looked to be in her early fifties, she was almost the same height as the security guard, but slightly taller. I also noticed that she had black hair with a few gray streaks tied into a bun, wearing silver-framed glasses with a white blouse covered by a black jacket and a black knee length skirt.

This woman approached me with a seemingly neutral demeanor but then started to form a light smile on her face.

"Excuse me? Are you by any chance Edwin Mariani?"

"Yes that would be me, Professor Ndefu?"

"Yes that's me, but please just call me Ma Tembo, it's nice to meet you."

She then reached her hand out in front of me and I reached mine out to shake it and after a five second handshake she gestured me to follow her.

"Come with me so that we can get started with this interview."

As I followed her, we approach a door with her name written on the wall next to it, assuming that this is her office. As she opened that door, I just had a feeling that either way the interview goes from the moment I walk inside, my life will never be the same.