I didn't expect the bodies to be wearing nail polish, or have well-manicured nails. This body had polish that I couldn't imagine on my grandmother. It was from the collection that had pervaded the fashion scene last year, and thus found its way to the fingers of many seventh grade girls. Here it was on her nails, perhaps painted by her granddaughter visiting her in the hospital...

This was my train of thought from the minute I laid eyes on my own anatomy cadaver. I looked for clues that would help me piece together her life. I don't know why that was important to me. I wondered why she decided to donate her body to science, and then I wondered if I could make that same decision. Did she know what was in store for her when she signed the consent form?

As I looked around at all the blades and scissors and sharp metal utensils strewn around the room, I wondered if I knew what was in store for the both of us.

—Hilary