Chemical energy, to potential energy  and then to kinetic.

This is energy passing from one form to another during the process of me riding a bike.

My plane had landed two hours ago and after problems getting off the plane, to problems getting my luggage, to being told that part of my luggage was sent to the opposite side of the world (some how), to promising the poor stressed man who was breaking the news that it was okay because I had all the important stuff in my carry on bag and the one suitcase anyway, to convincing myself that I could work out the directions to my destination without bothering the poor woman at the desk and then immediately getting lost.

I am finally back on track after finding a reliable map app on my phone and borrowing a bicycle from one of the bike stations outside the airport.

I remember when I was first told by my university professor a week ago that he had been sent an email by the esteemed Professor Willow requesting my presence in her lab for a potential assignment.

I was both honoured and terrified to receive the news.

Professor Willow is one of my heroes and I now have the chance to work beside her and now I can finally use the knowledge I gained over the past seventeen years of my life to help people.

But on the other hand I am probably going to screw up twenty times today alone.

I stop cycling as I arrive at my destination.

The building looks exactly as it did in all the discriptions in all the different articles I researched.

Outside it looks surprisingly normal.

A four story, red brick building with giant windows and no sign at all of anything extraordinary at all.

But inside there is some of the most advanced technology in our world today.

I am trying not to fan girl as I kneel down to tie the bike to a tree outside the office.

My muscles tense and my head jerks up as I hear someone says “Hey there!”

I spin around and see a young man who seems to be around my age.

He has an easy going smile, nice blue eyes and dark skin.

He’s wheeling a suitcase with one hand and he has his other hand outstretched for me to shake.

“Hel-ll-lo” I stutter awkwardly shifting over trying to shake his hand and almost falling over in the process.

I shake his hand and smile apologetically over my one hundred and fifty fifth embarrassing first introduction.

He smiles kindly and even though I know he’s trying not to laugh, there was no malice behind it.

“I’m James” he says helping me stand up “but my friends call me Jay.”

By his accent I guess that he’s American but I don’t want to presume.

I must have been thinking for a long time because he says “and your name is-“

“Oh, sorry” I say, snapping out of my analysis trance “my name is Amelia.”

“Cool, nice to meet you Amelia.”

“And you too, Jay.”

“Are you heading in to the Industria building?”

“Yeah” I said smiling.

“Me too” he says looking proud.

After struggling to get through the door thanks to our luggage we begin to walk to the receptionist’s desk.

Jay is talking a million miles a minute cracking jokes and asking questions along the way.

I am so happy to have someone friendly with me even if it’s only for a short time.

The receptionist’s desk is very tidy and behind the desk is an older woman with a kind smile.

“Are you here for Dr Willow?” she asks.

“Yes!” Me and Jay reply at the same time

I turn to Jay surprised and excited to learn that my new friend is going to be one of the scientists I’m going to work with.

Jay looks as happy as I feel.

The receptionist introduces herself as Sharon, she told us to go to conference room seven, which was down the hall to our left.

“Come to me if you have any questions or if you just want to chat” she says.

“We will” Jay promises as I nod.

When we’re out of earshot we both smile.

“You looked so surprised” Jay laughs “Thought I wasn’t the science type, eh?”

I laugh as well and say “No, to be honest I wasn’t thinking at all.”

“Well we can’t have that.” He says with mock sternness “We are an elite, select group who have been chosen for our wit and intellect.”

“Yes the intelligent minds that couldn’t get through a revolving door” I counter.

“No simple man can get through a revolving door,  getting this far is considered some what of a miracle” he replies.

I laugh and we continue on until we reach the door for conference room seven.

Outside the conference room  I have my hand resting on the handle of the door.

The people inside this room are the intellegent minds I’m going to be working with for a year at least.

My worry and hesitation must show on my face because Jay smiles and puts his hand on mine and says “On three”.

We begin “One, two, three” we push down the handle together and step inside.