The Backpack of a MechE

I was cleaning out my backpack as I packed for my flight (read travel-proofing). Of course, there were all kinds of things in there. Screws from some class project. A mini Swiss Army knife. A sharpie, pencils, sticky notes, receipts. And, oddly enough, a pair of earrings. Backpacks don't get cleaned out so often when you're a busy college student I guess. And since starting my job, I haven't used it so it's almost a snapshot in time of life as a busy (but happy) mechanical engineering student. Ah, yes. the backpack of a MechE. At one point last year, there were all kinds of random things poking out - PVC tubing, wooden boards, clamps, superglue, the list goes on. Always projects to work on. You think about it when you're awake, while making breakfast, running to class, sometimes in class... and definitely at night while you're sleeping. But it's fun. And, I've learned so much in the process. Not only about material properties and how to build things, but about life and working in teams, and how to make projects go more smoothly. But more on all of this later...