tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17459166957718468892024-03-05T03:08:07.911-05:00Publishing Panda PandemoniumRepresentin' the [cell] hood since 2011Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-18591124768330018852014-01-26T18:52:00.001-05:002014-01-26T18:53:32.428-05:00Internet Dating PandaAs much as I love my cheese curl readers, I have to admit that being a graduate panda in the middle of Richmond is quite lonely. And after a fun fun fun MLK day weekend in Asheville and Charlotte, NC, as well as evidence from the rest of my life, I have finally realized that I have almost all male friends. Being in the field of engineering, in graduate school and generally having the vocabulary of a sailor and the sense of humor reminiscent of a 5-year old, it makes sense that I feel more at home among boys. Last night, I attended an improv comedy show for the first time and, yet again, was proved to enjoy fart jokes more than any other joke topic. Of course, great literary magazines such as the New Yorker still can put a little sprinkle in my tinkle (let me just say here that The Onion does not hold a candle to the Borowitz Report), I am still prone to guffawing at such plebian humor as resides in everyday references to phallic objects.<br />
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In any light, I decided that I should look for more female friends now that I am in Richmond. Not that I am trying to be more ladylike, but perhaps I was just too close minded about the possibility of there existing other crude, vulgar yet brilliant women like myself that I might want to befriend. Although I am happy with my roommate and my female lab mates, I sometimes feel trapped in a social circle that is too dependent upon work. This can be very dangerous, since we all know living in the [cell] hood can escalate everyday quarrels very quickly.<br />
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So, in answer to your questions:<br />
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Q: OmG gUrL!! Wut happened wit yo hubby!?!? Did ya'll break up!!!<br />
A: No, The Boyf and I have not broken up! We are still happily together and I am just internet searching for female friends. Also contrary to popular opinion and commonwealth law in some states, we are NOT [yet] married.<br />
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Q: Which sight RU usin? Iz it gud?<br />
A: I'm on OKCupid. It's ok, hence the name. But it's free, which aligns well with my frugal tendencies.<br />
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Q: did u find sum1 yet<br />
A: It's only been less than a week, and it's kind of hard to find girls since the site is set up for people to find others of the opposite sex (unless you choose the gay option). I have seen a few cool profiles, and contacted one person so far, who hasn't contacted me back yet. So this is what rejection must feel like in the internet world...not so bad.<br />
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Q: so u only look 4 gurlz?<br />
A: Obviously I also creep on the "boyz", if you will. But I have no intention of contacting them, unless they contact me first. Although that probably won't be likely.<br />
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Q: Y NOT? OOPS HOLDUP I GOTTA TURN OFF CAPS LOK. yea cuz i get nudie pics all da time.<br />
A: I actually have a fake name/alias and didn't upload a picture. I guess it's kind of a double standard for using the website and expecting people to respond to you even if you don't provide a lot of information or photos. But this thing isn't important enough to slander my internet reputation and kill my future prospects of continuing on in a decent profession.<br />
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So there you have it! I suppose if anyone becomes of this, I shall let you know! At least it is something in the background whilst I continue to hustle my way to da top! In another said but true story, the bartenders at the local bar near my apartment now know me by name! And in yet another twist of unfortunate events, I just wrote this entire post while sitting in the coffee shop be I locked myself out of the apartment again! But fear not, the business club, Wednesday dinners, and my church community have all boosted my spirits and led to increased networking and new acquaintances! Plus, lab keeps me busy. Except for today, when all my cells died.<br />
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No matter!<br />
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Next weekend is the Chinese lunar new year! Then Valentine's Day, when The Boyf gets to spend time with me! And sprinkled in the next two months are a poster symposium in Atlanta, one in Richmond, one committee update, and two conferences (New Orleans and Charlotte)!! Many big things are happening and the future is now! Until next time...Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-87459658776982825812014-01-01T22:49:00.001-05:002014-01-01T22:50:36.163-05:00New Year, New Panda!My dearest cheese curls and corn puffs:<br />
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Today is the first day of 2014! Can you believe it is already 14 years past the end of the world, and 2 years past the apocalypse?! And yet, the Megabus still has crappy wifi. Oy vey! Humans will soon be equipped with live wifi via Google glasses or something, although I personally am against the whoring out of information for social networking pleasure. </div>
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The holiday break was long (10 whole days!) and pretty exciting, for The Boyf was finally able to spend time with Padre! YOU NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN! More on that later, since I am currently in the mist of pissy-ness toward The Boyf and am trying to avoid thinking about merrier times together. This should pass soon as it always does, but if it doesn't then I will be soon looking for a new Panda Boyf!</div>
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Now, onto bigger and better things!</div>
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<u>PANDA'S NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS FOR 2014:</u></div>
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1. Publish! Submit at least 2 first author manuscripts, and publish at least one this year. Hopefully will also publish as co-author on collaborations. </div>
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2. Read the Bible! For the past 7ish years, I have read the bible cover-to-cover each year. Some years I read chronologically, some years I read both old and new testament together, some I just read from front to back. Last year, I used the YouVersion bible app and it was so much better than lugging around a 5 pound leather bound book (although missing the "Did you know?" type of things that I usually enjoy in the student versions). Previously I would read whenever I could, and if I couldn't read one day, I would catch up on the weekends. Last year my resolution was the read the bible EVERY DAY. And I did! But many times it would be at the end of the day, when I was delirious and not really paying attention to the text. So this year, my resolution is to read the bible every day, IN THE MORNING, or at least during the day and not right when I'm going to bed. I'm also reading the King James Version and following the Robert Roberts (I know, say no more) plan, which will cover the old testament once, and the new testament twice! </div>
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3. Getting to work and started early! This follows with my last point, and also leads to an overall resolution of living healthily and happily. While living with The Boyf in Atlanta, it was necessary to be up early all the time so we could drive together in the mornings. Now, I have been dragging my feet in the cold weather to get to work by 8am. I am hoping to be able to SLEEP EARLIER (really, this is the key point...perhaps my resolution should be more like "limit extensive online shopping right before bedtime") and get rip rarin' to go in the mornings, hopefully to get to work by 7:30am and have my cup of coffee, read the bible and read the news before everyone else gets in. I also like coming in for a little bit on Saturdays to plan things out for the week, aside from the hectic activity of all the other labmates during the week.</div>
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4. Be a values oriented panda! I have to admit, with graduate school and moving around and everything, my panda head became quite big and I have been complaining nonstop and having a hard time being nice to everybody! I have been thinking about this, and hopefully in conjunction with my previous resolutions will be able to be a happy panda this year, and pass on that love and happiness to others! Earlier in 2013 I resolved to do the things I enjoy (even if they are by myself), and I will continue doing that. But it will also be important to connect with people and network (obviously that was going to come up, you know me!), but make sure I am still in line with my values and treating people with respect and honesty! Because at the end of 2014 and for the rest of my life, I want to say I was able to make the world a little better, and sincerely mean it! </div>
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Well, that's it for my glowing review of the brand spankin' new year! What are your new year's resolutions? </div>
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Love,</div>
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Panda</div>
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P.S. I also have a ton of Christmas cards left over! Send me your address if you want one, you silly cheese curl!</div>
Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-67671903132474560352013-12-10T22:43:00.003-05:002013-12-10T22:43:56.740-05:00Hairless PandaSo Movember is finally over, and now your little baby panda angel is going to reveal the fruits of her hairy labor!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EO1MfAXsEsn3joNmZrY2PUvCQD3uQywfEoChSPfn-tRVLE2wK9Bes123VaYav6iSDb9jZOsyiE9ywFqc_VxSNjar2Ps8IotFgxN4HyMffNfQ5GBdSvpizAoWm_Jet4uPJ2OcGWM0Eh8/s1600/hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EO1MfAXsEsn3joNmZrY2PUvCQD3uQywfEoChSPfn-tRVLE2wK9Bes123VaYav6iSDb9jZOsyiE9ywFqc_VxSNjar2Ps8IotFgxN4HyMffNfQ5GBdSvpizAoWm_Jet4uPJ2OcGWM0Eh8/s320/hair.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNvCa_gRfmAf7Gn3SjFegCUKUfUpjYCTQU0K7LO_n3LjEQdgVugYYbgmIQDCe4Y_AMT0ZCqMg8fybzLYI1nBAbuDRp-bMXYdho5pRTan7UILiS9nCC_AEmh-lsreQpKMJ4q-ns7cXxs4/s1600/no+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNvCa_gRfmAf7Gn3SjFegCUKUfUpjYCTQU0K7LO_n3LjEQdgVugYYbgmIQDCe4Y_AMT0ZCqMg8fybzLYI1nBAbuDRp-bMXYdho5pRTan7UILiS9nCC_AEmh-lsreQpKMJ4q-ns7cXxs4/s320/no+hair.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Okay, so the hair really wasn't that bad. At least I can be grateful that my Asian heritage left (or didn't leave me) with one thing. Although because I didn't handle a razor for so long, I didn't really know how hard to shave to get all the hair off. So I did some slight razor burn on my legs:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9MKp6hn8YWm0LDal-5vRzc4bhFswu16NYiZ9KzAy1gjiEq71TFqouWY6WbsyDsGIer0YDRnmTbgxnXuKYJsP8yrXo9nD2vKmzWzbR2niPBQELyJDjnFqRh8wVjlTK05dkqiNBWr9hjo/s1600/leges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9MKp6hn8YWm0LDal-5vRzc4bhFswu16NYiZ9KzAy1gjiEq71TFqouWY6WbsyDsGIer0YDRnmTbgxnXuKYJsP8yrXo9nD2vKmzWzbR2niPBQELyJDjnFqRh8wVjlTK05dkqiNBWr9hjo/s320/leges.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mind the marks on my calf; those are just from the REALLY TIGHT H&M pants I bought (apparently European sizing is not as forgiving) and tried to live in over Thanksgiving break in order to stretch them out. Not sure if they got smaller, I got bigger, or my body fat just re-accumulated elsewhere (PLEASE BE BOOBS OR BUTT SO HELP ME GOD).</td></tr>
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Also, we have started Thursday TIGHT NIGHTS! Instead of going out to a bar, we have resorted to the 50 cent wings at Chilis in celebration of football season. Obviously I don't care about alcohol or sports, so the great deal in my mouth is really the highlight here. And I even got a chance to take a picture with the VCU mascot, Rodney the Ram! (In my Penn State apparel, nonetheless):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDOLGUfsoMXjk-5XrVoU5PGd-iUTilx8J1Mb3qqqjp_RteIwEWgw7IxjRn-oJg4D5vzSx2n07WGbv2c8Pa1QY-1X3HGFmW86dO8GYLMc5l2AC_6DnZOdK4JBQgIpTQk0eLjrz1eNDJPQ/s1600/ram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDOLGUfsoMXjk-5XrVoU5PGd-iUTilx8J1Mb3qqqjp_RteIwEWgw7IxjRn-oJg4D5vzSx2n07WGbv2c8Pa1QY-1X3HGFmW86dO8GYLMc5l2AC_6DnZOdK4JBQgIpTQk0eLjrz1eNDJPQ/s320/ram.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Also, I am currently surviving the woes of being black pump-less (referring to the shoe, not the gasoline, of course). Having the misfortune of my heel discombobulating in the conference elevator while in Atlanta, I had to wear flats and run the risk of being assaulted by the conference fashion police (of course in academia, we have none; I only pretend to make myself feel better). Now in the midst of Christmas shopping season, shouldn't there be so many great deals on free shipping and shoes, especially in the classic and timeless black pump style? But alack! I am doomed to raiding eBay sales without gain...and what is the deal with these so called "peep-toe" shoes? Showing toes of any kind is completely unprofessional, not to mention making "peep"ing sounds with your feet. Leave the peeping to the marshmallows during Easter!<br />
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Please, if you can find a classic, black, leather pump, LET ME KNOW! Also, it must be $20 or less...I may be willing to pay for shipping, if they are Jimmy Choo or something. Otherwise, I shall forever remain in the shadows of the department store bargain bin. The joys of finding a shoe sale!<br />
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Finally, last Friday was the GRAND ILLUMINATION! Where many Richmonders came outside in the freezing cold in order to watch a Christmas tree light up, and then go to the Governor's mansion to shake ole' Gov'nah Bob McDonnell's hand for an uncomfortable, extended period of time and be wished a "Merry Christmas" even if you are an Islamic Democrat (Obama). Aside from the awful, awkward political nature of this event, the lights are quite nice to have outside and make the streets look safer and filled with holiday cheer!<br />
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And speaking of Obama...MANDELA! The passing of a great man. And it was nice to see President Obama shake Raul Castro's hand. Truly the things that can be accomplished after death and happy to see Mandela's spirit live on, although sad to think that one must die before his dream can be achieved. Rest in peace, Panda Mandela.Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-84536015072881064242013-12-01T00:18:00.002-05:002013-12-01T00:18:36.459-05:00Turkey PandaHappy Thanksgiving, my dear little ones! Thanksgiving is the best holiday, because not only does it cross racial/social/gender/cultural/religious/etc. barriers, everyone gets to put on stretchy pants and eat turkey until they pass out from tryptophan overdose! Although our household opted to go out for dim sum in Chinatown, I still ate until I had minor constipation! Although the aforementioned effect may have also been caused by WAY too small pants from H&M that I have donned for the past three days in hopes that they would stretch out (or I would become slightly smaller). What is up with European sizing? Why can't we just have one size for everyone? I still propose a 3D scanner to automatically scan each person's body, then make the clothing specifically tailored to that body. The future is now!<br />
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In other news, I also got a chance to get some shopping in on Black Friday (PANDA FRIDAY!), for EIGHT HOURS. Yes, we were one of those families that went out on Thanksgiving Day (we are Chinese, for God's sake. There is no way we could pass up deals like that). Eight hours is certainly a lot, especially when it is from 10pm to 6am. Dancing in DA CLUH' (that is Panda speak for "the club) is way better than walking around under the fluorescent lights FROM HELL for so long. Obviously all this could be blamed on Cabbage's poor decision making skills, as well as her insatiable lust for material goods. WHAT HAS THE WORLD COME TO!? Even Little Mao was brought along on the trip, although he seemed to love being able to stay up all night. Panda here has still been trying to catch up on sleep lost by that godforsaken night in retail wasteland! It seemed that this year's political and financial circumstances have prompted Americans to stay at home, quivering into their turkey bosoms, filled with stuffing, too scared of the uncertainty associated with Obamacare to spend a little quality time cajoling at their local outlet mall. Nevertheless, apparently internet sales are up by 7%, with more to come on Cyber Monday!<br />
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Due to lab drama (happening all the time anyway) between our lab manager and Dr. Zebra, my meeting time has been scheduled for Monday morning at 6:30am. WHAT THE DONKEY!? Although early morning meetings are actually much appreciated to get them out of the way, I will have barely any time between Sunday evening when I arrive at home and Monday morning to prepare my meeting materials. I'd better get a good night's rest so I can get started ASAP tomorrow...<br />
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ACK! I know I promised to update twice this month, and technically I started this post before the end of November. But alack! 'Tis now the first of December! Which means I GET TO SHAVE!!!<br />
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Updates on the hair removal very soon...December shall be an advent month of many fantazmo posts! Stay tuned...Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-67501960472152708552013-11-15T23:17:00.000-05:002013-11-15T23:18:44.857-05:00Atlanta Panda!In accordance with my promise, I shall be updating TWICE in this merry month of November, or should I say...MOVEMBER! Obviously, I have decided to once again participate in the hair growth festivities, and without obvious facial hair, have been exercising the right of my underarm, leg and other (ahem) areas to FOLLICLE HEAVEN! Needless to say, The Boyf is not pleased. In fact, I suspect the reason why he isn't coming home for Thanksgiving is less that he "has to work," but more that he is disgusted by the feathery delight that is emerging on my legs. But hey, at least I don't have to pay for <a href="http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/health-lifestyle/lifestyle/2013/6/the-new-rape-whistle">those tights that prevent rape</a> - I can just grow my own pair!<br />
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In other news, The Boyf has been working so hard lately...to the point of pulling all nighters and even taking intermittent naps on the office couch (that was especially brought in for the purpose of resting his weary head) between 23 hour days. This means that I am...STRESSED OUT! Even the promised annual Christmas card collage photo session did not happen this trip...which lead to a series of pathetic shots of just myself in travel mode...without a partner.<br />
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Like a blowfish, I have been simmering my stress internally until the day my unshaven body parts decide to blow up into a large inflatable ball! While this may seem entertaining to the average bystander, it is EXTREMELY entertaining to even myself, although typically I enjoy the blowfish effect on The Boyf and not myself. Nevertheless, I have learned to freak out less about these things and am instead pursuing other ways of getting involved and being productive while in the city.<br />
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A particular venture with which I am very excited is the starting of volunteer consulting services! I have started assembling a spreadsheet of student groups that offer pro bono consulting for local businesses and nonprofits, in hopes that we may be able to produce our own group to help biotech startups around the city. This also provides me a platform for networking, which is always fun because I still have a million business cards that have outdated information on them that I need to finish handing out, so I can buy more because I still can't part with my Atlanta roots.<br />
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I am also in the process of applying for scholarships since the NSF grant runs out next year. Not only does this entail writing applications/grants/essays for the money, but also "drafting" (writing everything except the header and signature) recommendation letters for my selected references. Gone are the days when your advisor sings your praises; instead, you sing your own praises in this new era. Although it's a little weird writing about yourself, it's actually a great idea for references that are too busy or haven't been able to interact with you thoroughly. Plus, they'll verify the letter is true before placing their John Hancock on the document. And if you're slightly schizophrenic, it can be a fantastic experience writing from the perspective of different people. See how mental illness can actually be a contribution in the academic workplace!<br />
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Last week I had a chance to go to Atlanta for a conference. The conference was pretty good, and REALLY GOOD if you take into account that some sort of delicious food was served almost at every break. Who could not love a conference that serves apple pie and ice cream at a poster session? Plus, it was a pretty productive trip. I got to see The Boyf, some friends from school, a bunch of people from school at the actual conference, some faculty members, AND eat at <a href="http://highlandbakery.com/menu.html">the best brunch spot in town</a>! And, you'll never (no, you will) believe this, but...<br />
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I USED SHAMPOO!<br />
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Four dreadful months of baking soda and vinegar are over! I haven't been happier. And of all shampoos, I ended up using Head and Shoulders (apparently the worst kind according to the sulfate-free enthusiasts) to break the fast, since it was the only one available in The Boyf's bathroom. But with amazing results! No blow dry, no brush, air dried quickly, no tangles, shone beautifully, and did not get oily for 2 days! I've used shampoo twice again since then...and I'm totally converted back to traditional hair products. Although I may try out castile soap, since it's more natural. But what I really need is a trim and some country fried lovin' from my hairdresser. GOD IS GOOD!<br />
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Posting soon....Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-30419241558131686362013-10-28T23:24:00.005-04:002013-10-28T23:37:49.703-04:00Pumpkin PandaHola, cheese curls! It is time yet again for the long heralded monthly update! Although my proposition to update once a month has lagged behind to the end of the month, I shall try to be quick on the uptake for the remaining months of November and December, in preparation for my 2014 New Year's resolution of updating TWICE a month! Lo, ho! Though hast not heard of such glory!<br />
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Dare I say that my trend for being pleasantly surprised at the city of Richmond has continued to the point where I believe this may be a permanent sort of glee (let's not take it as far as "glee," although it has been positive so far). After revolting from the college bar scene, yours truly decided to immerse her Panda self in the artistic ways of Richmond. Sitting in on an arts leadership course with an <a href="http://www.fraserdesignassociates.com/">awesome professor</a> (shameless plug in the event you or anyone you know needs a great interior designer!) has let me gain exposure to the finer side of design and creativity in the city. I explored the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, saw the play To Kill a Mockingbird, and got season tickets for the Richmond Symphony, the first of which was Verdi Requiem. Although I would have enjoyed it more, intermission was not offered that one fine Saturday evening and I was therefore forced to catch myself from falling asleep toward the latter end of the performance, however mesmerizing it had been.<br />
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In addition, I have made a new friend! Walter Braxton, truly the definition of a starving artist/misunderstood musician, sat down next to me at Starbucks last Sunday afternoon and started dining on a can of Vienna Sausages. Immediately I knew we would become great friends. After exchanging some pleasantries, I read about him while he was sitting next to me (thanks, Google!), and eventually we agreed to meet again so he could give me some of his music. <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/wabraxton/">Walter Braxton is a composer of classical music!</a> I have not yet gotten the chance to go through all of the music yet, but I have heard enough and had enough classical music training on the piano as a wee youth to appreciate the challenge of writing music! Falling into some difficulty recently, Mr. Braxton has not been able to compose and perform/conduct as he has wished. I have even thought about holding a class where he can teach crude laymen and layPanda about classical music, so I can act more distinguished the next time I attend a networking event!<br />
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Two former lab homies drove up this past weekend to attend our football game. We got to visit University of Virginia, which is apparently a public university even though all the men wear bow ties like private poodles. Notwithstanding, the football stadium had an interesting layout with part of the stadium cut out and replaced by a grassy knoll for frolicking in dismay when they lose at their homecoming game, as was the case this past weekend. In addition, the weather was absolutely delightful, following a week of dismal frigidity that had me breaking in my new <a href="http://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature%E2%84%A2-Kid's-Shearling-Boot---Chestnut.product.100054876.html">CUggs</a> (Costco Uggs - the adult version!).<br />
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Books have been a' galore in the Panda household! Thanks to Amazon and one cent used books with $3.99 shipping, I have been able to accrue a significant number of books that I shall probably not be able to finish anytime soon. After joining the library, I started requesting books and have now a book that I need to finish within the next two weeks. At least that gives me a deadline, although the other books on my shelf have started to get lonely without my prying Panda eyes. With The Economist also vying for my precious time and attention, along with the new Lady Gaga tracks in anticipation for her album release, I have been torn apart deciding what to read/watch/listen. <a href="http://rapgenius.com/Kendrick-lamar-money-trees-lyrics">Thank goodness for RapGenius, so I can listen to songs once (or not at all), and understand what "Pirelli" means.</a><br />
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There has also been a secular church dinner group (I am aware that the entire aforementioned phrase was an oxymoron...can oxymorons contain more than two words?) that has also accepted me for dinner each Wednesday. After two free dinners, I feel the need to contribute something, and am finally on a mission to prepare some green tea cheesecake for hungry diners! I have not really been baking after the CHEESECAKE FIASCO! this summer, where I made a different cheesecake every week and had to eat all of them by myself because everyone in lab decided to go on a diet (alright, I admit that I enjoyed every last bite...like I said, FIASCO). Welcome back, cheesecake! You will be a dear companion to the four tubs of Haagen Daz ice cream in my freezer that will eventually end up in my salivating Panda mouth!<br />
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I have two co-author manuscripts in the pipeline, one that should be submitted very soon, and the other pending revision from Dr. Zebra (which may never happen, at this pace). I have also started looking at other opportunities to become involved, even if not in the city of Richmond. Should you have consulting opportunities for a PhD Panda, please do contact me!<br />
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Happy Halloween, cheese curls! Unfortunately, I did not have enough time this year to create my own cheese curl costume. However, in order to stay warm and be able to stuff pillows into my costume, I have decided to dress up as as pumpkin! Of course, this will be a homemade costume, with an orange t-shirt, permanent marker, and some pillows! These Richmond folk will be blown away by the caliber and creativity of my masquerade, indeed!<br />
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Updates soon, my friends! Revvin' the frequency!Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-56272413263900467472013-09-19T23:08:00.002-04:002013-09-19T23:18:20.332-04:00Swinging PandaYo, cheese curls! Swinging Panda is here, now back and at it. And by swinging, I only mean exchanging thoughts and ideas, not sexual partners! And alas, as The Boyf does not even reside here, I wouldn't even have an opportunity to see him, anyway.<br />
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Richmond has started to perk up, as I feared would happen. Now that school is back in session, life seems to make the city busier. As I spent the last three months (already?!) ruling out everything that I <i>didn't</i> like, now it is finally time to explore the things that I do.<br />
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My lack of intelligent human interaction lead me to send out random emails to people I found online, including a confused professor that welcomed me into his office but eventually gave me some solid advice and mentorship. Thanks to him, I decided to sit in on an arts leadership course (to take advantage of the strong arts program at the University), purchase and sift through the Translated Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, and continue writing and formulating my ideas.<br />
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On another note, the church hopping has also come to an end (or rather, I hope it has). Princess of Jamaica and I have been attending churches in the area, to no avail. We seem to have different tastes in our worship forums, but I believe I have found a quaint little place (full of history, who am I?) of which I'll enjoy taking part. The Boyf will love it because it has history, I love it because they offer free coffee and basel from the garden after service, and the church will appreciate me because I provide comic relief during communion when I'm not sure whether or not to dip my bread in the cup or drink directly from it. Hello.<br />
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And on another note, research is starting to become better now that I have finally been trained on (almost all of) the equipment. We still have some access issues, but at least I get a little more freedom to move around now that I don't have to sit in front of my computer screen (we have to be sitting at our desks at 8am every morning, because that, ladies and gentlemen, is how academia has decided to foster productivity...) all the day long. Our lab has even expanded to include more postdoctoral folks and perhaps a new graduate student! There is still negativity here and there, but on the whole at least we have the lab chumps to support each other, and when we don't, there is always ChatRoulette (I kid, but check out the social media dis short film here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6eNuJdxAoQ&bpctr=1379644844">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6eNuJdxAoQ&bpctr=1379644844</a>)<br />
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And on even another (literally) note, I have even found some graduate students who are into music, and, dare I say, may be casually jamming with their BAND!!! SO. COOL. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!x a gazillion) This is like the life I should have had in high school, but instead I was Prom Panda, which also wasn't too bad. Even though I'm not a student here, maybe the University will consider crowning me Homecoming Panda. With the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised. Everyone seems to be confused about who I am and what to do with me. Why not? I would be the first Homecoming Panda in the history of the universe, and what wonders it would do for my professional panda career!<br />
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And on another another another note, since our summer gym membership expired, Screamin' Goat and I have been exploring other options for exercising without having to pay. Visiting our friend's gym in The Omni can only last so long, but luckily Richmond is chock full of bridges that are pretty runner friendly. Also biker friendly, but alas, bikes cost money, while legs do not. The views are also pretty nice from the bridge. Dare I say, even romantic at times...<br />
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Okay, and on one last note: Panda has officially gone poo-free for approximately two months! It was a rough time, but my hair is finally coming back around. I still have to perfect the formula, but fo' sho' you need to do the vinegar rinse after the baking soda soak. Originally I thought my hair was getting oily because I wasn't using enough baking soda, but for some reason it was because I wasn't using the vinegar conditionar afterward. And don't actually rinse too much, because the vinegar makes your hair softer. What's next? A hairbrush!? The possibilities are endless! And yet, my face is still oily... These natural remedies can only go so far. Tea tree oil is pretty good at curbing my facial oiliness for a few hours, but after that it's still a mess. Perhaps The Boyf will find better use for it on his toenail!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
PandaAlice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-62523128983979640302013-08-24T17:41:00.000-04:002013-08-24T17:41:36.234-04:00August AngstDear Cheese Curls,<br />
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There is a lot that I need to update ya'll on! As you may have seen, I have accepted my Southern identity by eating hoards of hot fries and starting to say "ya'll". Ebonics, yo! And better yet, I have decided to join NSBE, the National Society of Black Engineers! It is time to assume a new identity, and as <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/meg_jay_why_30_is_not_the_new_20.html">Meg Jay, PhD, says, create identity value</a>. Is it because I care less because I'm in Richmond, a city where mediocre food is considered gourmet and infrastructural negligence historical? Perhaps. On the other hand, maybe this is just the perfect time and environment in which I can feel comfortable exploring myself, without worrying about the reactions of others?<br />
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This post was pre-empted by something very out of the ordinary (or maybe not) that occurred last night. I have already been irked all this summer by the sheer ignorance of (mostly young) people in Richmond to other cultures, in my situation, of Asian descent. Every time my roommate Lil' Goat and I have been out at night, we have been stopped by men and women alike to ask where we are from, and inevitably need to explain that the inquirer's Japanese friend is NOT THE SAME as our Chinese heritage. When three guys came to hit on us and we casually ignored them, they vocally expressed that we probably just didn't understand English. Now, posing as an international exchange student with little knowledge of American culture can be positive in certain situations, such as butting front of line, asking stupid questions, dumpster diving, talking loudly or interrupting in inappropriate situations, etc., but under those circumstances I am only joking and having a good time (or trying to get out of a sticky situation). However, after last night, I am beginning to think that my jokes are only a reflection of a sad truth that still exists in this city.<br />
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Lil' Goat and I decided to relax after a week of hard work and went out to a bar with some friends. As Lil' Goat came back from the bar with a drink, a blonde girl purposely spilled her drink on Lil' Goat and said something about Asians to her friend. Spilling drinks is not uncommon, especially in the midst of inebriation and jovialty. Typically we let these things go, but Lil' Goat was NOT satisfied letting a deliberate racist act go, so she went back to the girl and asked her to apologize. When she didn't, Lil' Goat threw her drink on the girl. Then we left to the other end of the bar, where some dude from the blonde posse decided to come and exert his influence on us, and spilled his drink on my purse.<br />
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Now, I have no idea what happened here, what I had to do with anything, or if the guy really just couldn't tell Asians apart because, as we already know, the entire group was ignorant and most likely racist. The blonde girl's brother came over to tell us to calm down, that his little sister was just drunk. I asked him that I just wanted an apology because we all do things when we are drunk, and this act just so happened to show a negative side of his little precious sister, but what the heck did I have to do with his friend spilling his drink? He claimed to not know the person, and was not going to apologize on behalf of anyone.<br />
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I am an American. I was born in the United States, and I am of Chinese descent, but I date an American guy, go to an American school, and have succeeded in a system that has historically been against immigrants. Padre has always told me to not participate in organizations in high school because he thought they would never cast an Asian girl like me in an American play, or choose me to represent an American school. I never paid heed to him; I always did well and even if I wasn't chosen as the best, I would always do well on tests where no one could see my face. In a way, the Chinese mentality of studying very hard to succeed has its merits. It is a way of succeeding based on a merit system that is fair to everyone (to a certain extent), independent of your physical looks or personality. If you work hard, you can get ahead. And this is America, a country where this value reigns supreme over everything.<br />
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Now that I'm in Richmond, I'm starting to wonder what is happening. I have never been openly discriminated against based on my looks. I have always talked to people and whatever they assume of me afterward, that is fine. But just by walking into a bar and a YOUNG PERSON spilling her drink on a Chinese person, denouncing us, is unheard of in this day and age. I hate to compare this to black discrimination, but in the end we all feel the same. Were we right we retaliate and spill our drink on her again, or should we have let it go? In the end, it's only a $5 drink...but is it better to win the battle, and lose the war? Richmond is the first city that I have lived in that I have experienced so much ignorance against Asian people (and I've lived in small suburbs in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, larger cities in Oregon and Georgia). This city has NO excuses. It is the capitol of Virginia, there are young college students here, there is industry, there is a large population of black people (so why aren't white people used to diversity?)...and yet, we still get comments on the time from people when we walk down the street. I am appalled not only by the backwards thinking here, but the fact that is is being propagated in YOUNG people. Old people, okay, they are old and grew up thinking one thing. But WHO IS TELLING YOUNG PEOPLE that these things are okay?<br />
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Besides that, cheese curls, I don't have much to share. I guess there have been some exciting things, and I have made some friends around town. But I have never felt anything toward this city. A friend told me that the first three months in any new city is always the hardest, until you are assimilated and get connected into a new network. Honestly, with the way things are going, I feel like I will still feel like an outsider even after two years.<br />
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Apart from being philosophical because I have been so depressed lately, I really just want to ask one question: is this worth it? Dealing with an advisor who is not there, an emotionally abusive work environment, in a city that lives circa 1950, apart from those you love...<br />
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"And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve JobsAlice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-86275507793534632622013-07-14T14:52:00.000-04:002013-07-14T14:52:48.179-04:00Weekend Adventures with Panda and Goat!Hola Cheese Curls! Today I have some exciting adventures to share with you. Little goat (my roommate) and I have been frolicking around this weekend after an especially depressing week and abrupt Skype meeting with our advisor on Saturday morning. To relieve some stress, we decided to go to DC!<br />
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Driving to DC was not too bad, since we went on a Saturday afternoon and came back late at night. The drive was expected to be around 1hr 45min according to Google maps, which was just shy of our actual drive time. However, we did stop at the POTOMAC MILLS (aka Potato Mills) outlet, which was AMAZEBALLS. Seriously, what is the point of going to a real mall or even department store when you could drive an extra 30 minutes and go to the BEST MALL EVER!? Plus, it's an INDOOR outlet mall! I have never seen such a thing. It's nice during the winter, but actually it would be nice to walk around outside during the summer. Plus, the muck of children running around in the food court was slightly unappealing.<br />
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Anyway, the trip was a nice departure from our dear, quaint, *ahem* lovely Richmond. We tried to find a hair salon in Chinatown DC for Little Goat to get her hair cut, but apparently the "Chinatown" in DC is not real, as evidenced by a CHINESE website we found afterward (I guess you have to Google in Chinese to get any real information around here...ironic because Google and China hate each other). So we drove about 10 miles away to Falls Church, VA to get dinner. We ended up at a restaurant that had "Hong Kong" in the name but served Szechuan. Again, go figure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaR58X-5IaBxpRAiVcfYguc95pCvyKkkf_qnaoTpOqempvyCwXqSruokNj6a45VU6ocMxmAOt75K93-HDhkJZxSlX4TjbX3UWySguxfK5uAAevauNp30tLE3Ir7KnPWLnWxpdCAyFCKA/s1600/20130315_062807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikaR58X-5IaBxpRAiVcfYguc95pCvyKkkf_qnaoTpOqempvyCwXqSruokNj6a45VU6ocMxmAOt75K93-HDhkJZxSlX4TjbX3UWySguxfK5uAAevauNp30tLE3Ir7KnPWLnWxpdCAyFCKA/s320/20130315_062807.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO HAPPY to find DC Chinatown! Before the disappointment in realizing that it wasn't a real Chinatown, just commercialized for tourists. Bummer.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: magenta;">IMPORTANT UPDATE!</span> </b>So to read more about our roommate adventures, especially in the arena of frugality, check out my and Little Goat's <span style="color: magenta;">NEW BLOG!</span> You can read it at: <a href="http://www.toomuchpanda.wordpress.com/">www.toomuchpanda.wordpress.com</a>. Depending on the amount of traffic and website availability, we may purchase the domain and turn it into a full fledged website! SUPES EXCITING!<br />
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In other news, today I finally (I think) found a church that I want to attend on the regular. I have been church hopping around town and so far all the congregations are measly compared to the ones in Atlanta. Howevs, the church I attended today had a nice sized congregation. I ended up meeting two of the young adult members there, and apparently many people leave Richmond for the summer (if it's any indication of the quality of living here, as already evidenced by the degeneration of my life...sigh) so most churches in the area will cut Sunday School and move their services from 11am to 10am. No wonder everything was out of sync when I was trying to go to church! Hopefully everything around here will beef up come late August/early September and I can start meeting more interesting people. As it stands now, I think I will be coming back again. Phew! It's always difficult to find a congregation. We will see how this one turns out!<br />
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So things in lab are okay. The system in academia is so structured and yet inexplicable in a way. There are a lot of politics going on behind closed doors, which is seen much more as a graduate student in the field than someone who "likes" science and just heard about research and says, "Wow, that's cool!". Obviously, it is a VERY cool field, otherwise I wouldn't be wasting 5 years (or more, but hopefully not, inshallah) enslaving myself for minimum wage payment. Truly, according to my advisor it is the "last great apprenticeship of our time." But indeed, "our time" is now "past time", and the educational system must also adjust to fit the needs of a new generation of students. More on that later...but just something to munch on in the back of your brain.<br />
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Since the last time I updated, The Boyf and Dr. Rey visited us in Richmond, and we all parted for a brief vacation weekend over the Fourth of July holiday. It was refreshing getting away from Richmond (isn't it always), and seeing my family. Hair's wife and son successfully immigrated and arrived in America that weekend, so it was very busy registering them for new social security numbers and enrolling Little Hair for school (he is 8 and so cute!). Hair also celebrated his 35th birthday with a grand feast at our humble Peking Restaurant! And Padre finally enrolled in Medicare since he is now eligible. Life moves so fast!<br />
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Although things back in Qville are not so bad, the restaurant has been suffering. It's not really the economy but more of a changing culture (a new "our time", if you will, in reference to my earlier paragraph). Even though we are the only Chinese restaurant in town, we only provide eat-in or take out. The eating-in part isn't really happening, since our air conditioning doesn't work very well in the summer and the heating doesn't work well in the winter (Hair is really a trooper for being able to handle the temperature fluctuations all year!). I tried to get Wifi, but it's a small town and I doubt many college students (or high school) would want to come and do homework at a Chinese restaurant. The vibe just isn't there. I had talked to Padre about starting delivery service, but our staff is low and we can't afford to hire another person just for delivery, unless it's guaranteed business. On top of that, online reviews are slamming us! I cannot believe how mean people are. There are some Google reviews that are just downright slander, so we will probably have to work on improving our online image. It's been difficult thriving without technology in an era where everyone is online. Since we are small, we are still a cash operated business, which is also tough for customers. Padre is willing to try Square, but again, we don't have Wifi (this may change soon; I am looking at getting a plan for his phone so we can run it directly from there).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH30Jde2CP4p5naOI-JpPGZVgyk6BhOQMxVMojLAUoBTTrMUYTXaFq77uRTI558_V3UOgrUaKbNPjAplLWDJY8bzD3U_OvFGh12iGaEL1HIOh-f1Wgo903mjMyEejgz81LRS306ujE6rQ/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH30Jde2CP4p5naOI-JpPGZVgyk6BhOQMxVMojLAUoBTTrMUYTXaFq77uRTI558_V3UOgrUaKbNPjAplLWDJY8bzD3U_OvFGh12iGaEL1HIOh-f1Wgo903mjMyEejgz81LRS306ujE6rQ/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hair celebrates his birthday with Little Hair! Situated in Peking Restaurant...our little restaurant is filled with big memories!</td></tr>
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Panda's life is starting to get stressful! With the restaurant business down and the academic environment lackluster, I am trying to find new ways to motivate myself. Hopefully our new blog will perk up my spirits! Also, if any of you Cheese Curls have suggestions, suggest away! I always love hearing from my readers.<br />
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Until a happier time...Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-49362237378135483142013-06-13T23:05:00.000-04:002013-06-13T23:06:09.543-04:00AWKOops. I totally thought I had posted twice in May, but alas, 'twas April. So I skipped my birthday month, but I'll cut myself a break because last month I finally finished my PhD candidacy paperwork, finished classes, and moved to Richmond!<br />
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The first two are major accomplishments because it means I get to focus more on research and less on paperwork and random coursework. However, I will say that I did not realize how much I learned from those classes until after I moved to Richmond. That being said, the third item (moving to Richmond) has been quite a reverse culture shock. I should have expected something like this to happen, especially with my woes of moving to Quarryville back in high school. But I figured Richmond wouldn't be that bad (I had visited for a high school summer program before, although I didn't remember any of it...could have blocked that out...), and I would get a chance to meet some new people and get connected.<br />
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AWK aka AWKWARD, which is the new story of Panda's life. This. town. is. so. HIPSTER.<br />
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I have nothing against hipsters (okay, I have everything against them), but seriously, I have not met one SINGLE person (that isn't in my lab) that doesn't have a tattoo on some part of their body. I suppose because the university in which I am researching now is a pretty highly ranked arts university that everyone is super in touch with themselves, but I just really want to meet another intelligent, OCD person that loves Lupe Fiasco as much as I do. And speaking of hip hop, which is my newfound passion (Big K will appreciate this), along with The Boyf's recent trip to Chicago (Lupe's hometown), I have reconsidered my disdain for wind and deep dish pizzas and we may or may not have agreed to move there at some point in the unforeseen future.<br />
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So I've been here a few days more than one month. Dr. Zebra has come and recently gone, so we are now in recovery mode, which means vegetation for a few days and then stressing out and overworking to catch up. Ah, grad school. Sure beats the living daylights out of working at McKinsey, where I could have been making bank and traveling and meeting intelligent people and...wait a minute! Industry actually sounds ideal...<br />
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Let me shake some sense back into myself. It's definitely research for the next 3 years for me...so let's make it work! Our new lab space, although supes fresh and clean, is still under construction for some wiring, office space, chairs and accessories, etc. It's just slightly awkward to come into work and run a fluorescent staining protocol to the sweet sound of hammers and drills. Mmmm. Lupe would make this into a beat.<br />
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This weekend will be a fun and busy one! The Boyf and (newly graduated) Dr. Haan will be visiting. The Boyf's birthday is tomorrow, so I have made a B52 cheesecake in memory of our fondness for the similarly named delectable at Cafe Intermezzo in Atlanta. Brother Big K's birthday is on Sunday, for which I still need to get a present, and Father's Day is also on Sunday! Since I am closer to home now, I'll need to visit Padre more often. Unfortunately, it seems all the Chinatown buses are full and I may have to take (gasp) an AMERICAN ONE. Megabus is actually pretty nice, but the ticket prices for July 4th weekend (obviously) are pretty expensive. Although my alternatives (train and air) are even more so. And since when did train tickets start being so darn expensive? Weren't they supposed to invent teleportal systems by now?<br />
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Alright, it's time to go! Updates soon, my dears! For now, enjoy this extremely photoshopped photo of me and The Boyf from the future Dr. Roudi's wedding!<br />
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Oh, and I'm officially 24. AHHHHHH AWK.<br />
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<br />Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-30500220382849908102013-04-24T22:04:00.001-04:002013-04-24T22:07:11.686-04:00Pensive Panda on MenThe semester is coming to a close, and I have just a few assignments left to submit. Obviously instead of working on those, I have decided to post this. Perhaps it is the lack of lab space left that has lead me to isolation and reflection, perhaps it is the "Never Let Me Go" song that is on repeat on my iPod by Florence and the Machines because my 40 hour free limit on Pandora is up for the month, but this morning I decided to figure out my taste in men.<br />
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This stems from a somewhat boring life that The Boyf and I have been experiencing in the past few days. A combination of factors, mainly that the new apartment is his after I move to Richmond, has led him to become obsessive compulsive with neatness in the house. While I do appreciate that we are not allowed to eat in bed or put my shoes in the living room, I wonder these rules were not enforced in <i>my </i>apartment. Feeling agitated, I threatened to break up with him, which all women would (and should) do in this type of situation. Although I wasn't serious, I was. I want an intelligent partner, fun, realistic and idealistic. I realize this sparks a paradox. I asked him when he would start to regret living alone, as I had seen with Dr. Professor in college, whom I visited in December while he was recovering from a stroke. A man of mental strength and shunning the idea of family and religion, he started asking for a daughter while in the hospital bed to whom he could teach sitar, his musical passion. Sometimes I wonder if I myself am stubborn enough to think that my career is more important than a relationship and a family (I don't, but I act like it).<br />
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Last night, I dreamed that I had gotten a position at McKinsey and Co (we all dream of this, obviously). A former (male) classmate who is now enrolled in an MD/PhD program apparently was also working or interning there during his PhD tenure (dreams often don't make sense; the point is he was doing everything). I added him on Linked In (at least the dream was accurate in the fact that I no longer have Facebook), but he didn't accept for a while because I guess he didn't remember who I was. Then he saw me on the MARTA and realized that he knew me, sent me an InMail and included his phone number. Before I could start scheming of ways to get into his incredibly smart brain and pants, the alarm clock rang.<br />
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So this morning, I decided that I was in love with said Dr. Smarty Pants, and proceeded to creep on him online. Luckily and unfortunately, his online presence made me question what I actually look for in a man. So here they are, below. And after making this list, I realize that the perfect man probably will never exist, in so much the sense that it would have to fit my immediate desires, which change all the time. I brought this up in a group meeting today, and was told that women are just as fickle as men, except men talk about it and women tend to harbor it. But here I am, letting it all out. So without further ado, my list of desirable man traits (in no particular order):<br />
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1.<b> Brilliant.</b> Not just book smart, but also people smart. And not just smart, but brilliant. Like, autistic brilliant. This also goes hand-in-hand with the next point, which is...<br />
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2. <b>Slightly awkward.</b> So I can keep him all for myself. Manipulative? I think so.<br />
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3.<b> Philosophical. </b>Thinking of things that are bigger than what we are, how we can learn about them and shape them or others. Human psychology.<br />
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4.<b> Alpha male.</b> I don't like to be in control <i>all</i> of the time.<br />
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5. <b>Driven and Passionate.</b> This one is important. He must love what he does, and what he does should be influenced by his values and philosophy, see point 3. He should be working toward a greater purpose that may not be achieved within his lifetime but will most likely gain much fame and fortune along the way.<br />
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6. <b>Tall, has a big penis and is otherwise also good looking, with a nice smile.</b> Let's not beat around the bush; size <i>does </i>matter, whether we are talking about osteoblast response to nano-topography or<a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/110/17/6925.abstract"> female response to male genitalia</a>. I'm also intensely observant of teeth and fingernails. Generally, the tall, European-type male with a strong jawline would be ideal.<br />
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7.<b> Appreciates me.</b> Equivalent to "respects" me, which means I am just as brilliant, funny, driven, and all the traits listed here except for the manly ones, and he recognizes that we are both held to the same standard.<br />
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8. <b>Outgoing, with a sense of humor</b>. Mainly, laughs at my jokes and can make funny faces.<br />
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9.<b> "Manly".</b> Somewhat hairy chest (preferably curly), can grow a nice beard without spots for Movember but preferably keeps this to a 5 o'clock shadow during the year, not balding, into sports and competitive, gets sweaty during sex, large hands preferably with some scarring, likes hiking and nature, checks out other women occasionally (like I check out other men; again, holding myself to the same standard here), willing to bust a cap in someone's butt if someone is being unreasonable, likes watching animals eat other animals, etc.<br />
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10. <b>Self confident but not overconfident</b>. Patient, humble when learning, but knows he is superior to others.<br />
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11. <b>Positive. </b>Optimistic in depressing situations, works to make things better. Recognizes the situation and seeks appropriate help.<br />
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12. <b>Energetic.</b> Great with kids, at concerts, on vacation, while I am shopping for shampoo...<br />
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13. <b>Christian. </b>It's okay to not agree with certain parts of the church, but belief in God and Jesus Christ is crucial. Not that many men I have met who possess all the above traits and are also church goers. I myself have fallen off the church-going wagon several times.<br />
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Could it be a female complex? Do we have a limited amount of love, or is it like a trait that can be bolstered over time? Are there really different types of love, one maternal and one physical, perhaps one that is a combination of both for our partners?<br />
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Or is it just the thrill of the chase? Could what we perceive as desirable traits really be null after 5 years? I seem to want a different man for a set of each traits, not really one man that covers everything. For example, a good father would probably not be an alpha male, but without the occasional power trip, things wouldn't be as interesting.<br />
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Ho hum. It looks like I'll just have to revert back to my high school dreams of having the bachelorette "hot guy closet". I would get to pick my date each time I wanted company. Those would be the days.Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-68418200925928303302013-04-01T23:08:00.001-04:002013-04-01T23:08:37.396-04:00PhD Candidate PandaHappy April Fool's Day! For my April fool's joke, I have decided to NOT post in March! HA! So happy that I can pawn my lack of writing off on April Fool's day.<br />
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The past week has been pretty fantastic. We had two proposals and two defenses in our lab, which meant FREE FOOD err'day! It has almost been a week but we are obviously still eating the remaining moldy sandwiches and Diet Coke for sustenance. Everyone passed their presentations, which is great because I WAS ONE OF THEM! So now yours truly is officially a PhD candidate in biomedical engineering. Technically I still need to submit my paperwork, so let's hold the applause and fog horn until all that gets processed. Although the questioning part of the proposal after the presentation was a bit rough, I survived. I still have a lot to learn and do, but I'm happy that at least I am on track to get moving on my projects!<br />
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My relationship with my advisor is also improving. As you know, working for Dr. Barbie entails working with Dr. Zebra. I have to admit I had a tough time working with Dr. Zebra; part of it may have been my fault for not thinking in depth about my data as much as I should have. However, in my defense I have taken at least three classes each semester, and this year I have also had to TA a course. You already know that our lab is moving (well, already has) to a different school. I had considered not going because Dr. Barbie is so busy and Dr. Zebra was not necessarily an ideal replacement, and I wasn't getting the sort of mentoring I had desired when I entered graduate school and that was typical of my undergraduate research lab. I definitely don't need a lot of attention or pampering, but I do need a lot of trust and respect. Obviously I am not the brightest crayon in the box (unless I wear my "Say No To Racism" dress) when it comes to engineering and research, especially compared to the amazing researchers at school. However, it is graduate SCHOOL and not graduate FACTORY, which means I need time to learn these things. Anyway, it was tough getting yelled at all the time. I'm generally a very stubborn person and thought I would be able to handle it, but with the progression of my research, Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die' has become my anthem. Although the proposal was not my best performance, Dr. Zebra was actually VERY supportive and stuck up for me when the committee started flinging stones. We ended up having this weird bonding moment the next day where he said he would make my life shitty in lab, but in the end would be my biggest supporter whenever we are in public. Okay, I'll take it. I guess different people just have different ways of mentoring/killing (just kidding, OR AM I) others, but at least we talked it out and acknowledge the situation. Plus, I'm hoping that the move will alleviate the stress and tension that is occurring with everyone right now and we will have a more peaceful environment in the new lab (updates to come!)<br />
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Easter has also come and gone, which means I am allowed to eat sugar again, and The Boyf is eating meat! Sunday was truly a glorious day for gluttony, filled with pastries and bacon. I think my body died from happiness and has still not recovered yet because I haven't pooped since then. Don't worry, I'll be fine. And speaking of gluttony and pooping, the new Cafe Intermezzo has opened just a few blocks down the street from our place, which will be so fantastic considering my love for cheesecake and the fact that as an Asian person, I am most likely lactose intolerant. Ah, the joys of life.<br />
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Today our lab packed and shipped all the frozen samples. We will have packed EVERYTHING on Wednesday, and the lab will officially shut down! It is hard to believe that I'll be leaving Atlanta soon. I still need to finish up my courses, but am expected to start my first day in Richmond on May 6. I will be rooming with one of the girls in my lab, and we applied for an amazingly huge townhouse along the river. It was too good to be true, and perhaps is. We shall see when I move in, but rest ye easy; I am definitely purchasing a family pack of RAID just in case.<br />
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It's bedtime! Tomorrow I'll be helping to pack the lab and hopefully relocating to a new desk in the building next door. I still refuse to relinquish my building access, although I'm sure they will hunt me down at some point to pry the key from my nicely manicured fingers. Toodles!Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-2821218104786959282013-03-21T22:15:00.002-04:002013-03-21T22:17:01.687-04:00March Madness PandaAlright, so I need to get this post in for the month of March so I can keep my New Year's resolution (I'm counting the second post from January as one for February; deal with it).<br />
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Although I am partly to blame, most of the lag comes from The Boyf, who is highly superstitious and likes to wait until everything is perfect to release any details. I suppose it pays off, though, because just secured a position at McKinsey and Co.! My only question is, who is the Co.? Is it like Colin Powell, or Colonel Sanders? Because it's a consulting company, and fried chicken is delicious. Ah, it stands for "company", you say? It all makes sense now...<br />
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So now that The Boyf is going to be making pretend beaucoup bucks (apparently the benefits are worth more than the salary itself there), he has moved on to greener pastures and will be moving (away from me!) to another apartment uptown. Ho hum. The good news is that I've also found a roommate from my lab that will live with me in Richmond! I've got my heart set on an apartment right now, but I'm having The Boyf scout it out on his way home (from vacation, another thing I've waved bye bye to long ago) to make sure we won't die in the ghetto ("I've made a huge mistake,", G.O.B.)<br />
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And what other term would summarize my life than "March Madness", for I will be proposing in exactly one week from today! Due to the time difference between here and China (where one of my committee members will be groggily waking up), I will be having my proposal at 7pm. I've gotten a lot of crap for it, but the 7am slot was already taken by another lab member and plus I'll be providing dinner, so just be happy that you didn't have to dumpster dive at Panera (HELLO RICHMOND). Apparently there is a Panera Bread right near campus in Richmond so I'll be able to try my old, experienced, bacteria-covered hand at finding stale bagels in the dumpster. College; what fond memories.<br />
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I also filled out my bracket today for the spring basketball fling, even though I know nothing about sports. As of 5pm today, I wasn't doing too shabby. This makes me realize that men's hobbies, i.e. sports, are much better at creating camaraderie than women's hobbies, i.e. men. Most women only aim to please other men, and this creates weird tension between females that only age can resolve because everyone turns flabby and realizes they would rather just own a pet instead of deal with a relationship. Men, however, have SPORTS, the shining gold star in the dreary night sky that is life. For something like March Madness, there is fun competition that doesn't require an expensive wardrobe or perfect hair. I had a lot of fun just choosing random teams without any prior knowledge. I seriously think women need to go back to cooking, just so they have a common hobby that's shareable without creating contention amongst themselves.<br />
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I WANT CHEESECAKE.Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-1757065405397832772013-01-16T22:43:00.001-05:002013-01-16T22:46:07.651-05:00Goodbye, Facebook PandaAs promised (like I always keep my promises), I am updating before the month of February has even caroused its way in. Instead of being productive and working on my application for a travel fellowship, I have decided to catch up on recent celebrity gossip. I even read this recent shocking SPORTS news story, compliments of The Boyf, of some<a href="http://deadspin.com/5976517/manti-teos-dead-girlfriend-the-most-heartbreaking-and-inspirational-story-of-the-college-football-season-is-a-hoax"> internet girlfriend death hoax of former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. </a>When I start reading sports news, you know excrement has hit the fan.<br />
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In fact, approximately two weeks ago, I deactivated my Facebook account. Apparently the company also just came out with <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/01/16/facebook-google-yelp-linkedin/1838251/">Graph Search</a>, which is in pilot mode but seems futile at this point (perhaps it's me). Graph only searches through your friends or public profile information, which would also require people to update their profile with all of their interests and information. With the previously known onset of <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/01/16/facebook-google-yelp-linkedin/1838251/">job interview slaughter</a> through Facebook (myself included; remember that incident in undergrad with Dr. Professor?), most people have decided to use aliases instead of their real names for professional purposes. I also don't/didn't like to associate Facebook with my professional life, but after a while it seems inevitable that your coworker "adds" you as a friend and you would seem like a donkey-hole to reject. Although Facebook itself doesn't care what your name is because it just generates popular data from "the masses", I'm starting to get annoyed by the constant invasion of Facebook into EVERYTHING. "Vote for me," "Look I'm married now," "Look I'm skinny/fat/depressed/emo/hipster now," "Here's a photo of me looking drunk at a party even though I talked to no one the entire time because I was ON FACEBOOK on my cell phone and just snapped this photo before I left to preserve my online image." I realized that most successful and respectable (albeit usually older) people do not have Facebook, or at least keep it private enough so that you can't see them parading around in their underwear or asking for help with a survey all the time. Plus, I'm happy with where I am right now and the people I'm surrounded by, including The Boyf, so I don't really care about sharing that with other people. Let's be honest...are you REALLY happy about how happy I am? Because I'm only slightly excited when I see someone from high school get fat. TRUTH.<br />
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So you see I'm back.<br />
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And even though I had already started the deactivation process a while ago (permanently closing chat, stopped taking/uploading photos, checked maybe once a day, put up The Office of Misogamy poster...), I still feel so much...clearer...after cutting all ties with Facebook. It was easy to phase out of MySpace because Facebook was there, and now it's not hard phasing out of Facebook because I still have LinkedIn and EMAIL. The stupidest excuse I have heard of people who have Facebook is their "networking" abilities. Why not just use LinkedIn? And for your grandma, why don't you just send her an email with some photos of yourself, instead of broadcasting everything to her and the rest of the world? If she can use Facebook, she can probably check email. And she will feel special that you actually sent her the pictures instead of whoring yourself out to the internet. The only problem I really have without Facebook is that I can't access my photos. I suppose I could go and see if it's possible to download all my albums (it probably is, but I'm too lazy to do it now), but since Facebook is both good and evil, "deactivation" doesn't actually terminate your account - it just makes your account invisible to other people. You can still access your own account and retrieve your photos. For the future, though, I'll hopefully get to buy a nice camera and can just create a Tumblr account. Or, you know, just keep them on my computer and blog.<br />
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For a while (and probably even now), people were obsessed about creating an online profile of themselves that was separate from their "real" self. Now we've integrated with technology even more, but seem to have become even less integrated as human beings. Back in March, I participated as a student representative on a panel for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StayWithItEngineering">Stay With It Facebook (ironically) Day of Engineering. </a>EVERYONE (these are all executives and industry people) was tapping away on their phones. The only person that actually initiated some sort of communication with me was Mr. Charles Bolden, director of NASA. We had passed each other on the way to the bathroom; he was going out, and I was going in. All he did was smile at me, and I laughed because we had bumped into each other so clumsily. I had no idea who he even was at the time. And afterward (when I did know who he was), he gave me a hug and wished me good luck in school.<br />
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So here's my question: What the hell happened?<br />
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How are people so obsessed with themselves and their projected online image/profile...their "relationships" with people online, while in real life, I can't even have dinner with people without them "tagging" us at a restaurant or uploading a picture of the food online. I walk onto a bus or elevator or any other public space. Instead of what normal people would have done 10 years ago (saying HELLO), everyone is staring at their phone. I admit I'm a culprit of this, also. There have always been awkward times when I don't want to start a conversation and just randomly punch numbers into my phone, even though I have no one to talk to. But all this, I hypothesize, has been fostered by the increasing technology that is around us. It has made us feel uncomfortable to be ourselves, and to be around other people. I am and always will be a people person. I have to talk to someone IN PERSON to understand their emotions, laugh, learn, share ideas... Programs such as Google Drive have been immensely helpful in doing group work and working together online. But nothing (I hope) will ever replace what it's like to actually have a conversation with someone. I have been constantly disappointed by people who just aren't genuine at all. What's the point of building a relationship (online or off) with someone if you can't trust and rely on those people? I believe that I have great relationships with a small group of people here, and we hardly ever communicate using technology (phone sometimes to organize, but not talk).<br />
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Technology should be used to FACILITATE human communication and relationships, not replace it. Of course, The Boyf and I would have never been able to have a long distance relationship without cell phones. But we never really talked using email or chat. In fact, I'd prefer hand written letters over some public "I miss you". It's way more personal. I have two pen pals that I write regularly, and even though we correspond maybe every 3 weeks, it feels like for the past 6 years our friendship hasn't skipped a beat.<br />
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Anyway, enough of the rambling. Another exciting piece of information is that I have ventured into my first cell study of graduate school! Disgusting, I know. It's one of those things that was so common during my undergraduate research, but was "off limits" for a while in grad school since I had to perform a lot of materials characterization and optimization before the actual experiment. Ho hum. I hope to finish the experiment and get data this weekend (Happy MLK Day!), and hopefully have something to add to my poster for the Orthopaedic Research Society conference next weekend. Which is also my first conference in grad school! I've been learning a lot in lab thus far, and am excited to get started on some new things. For one, I'll be doing some hands on prototyping of scaffolds that I get to design and create myself (with the very much needed and appreciated help of a design instructor)!<br />
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Classes haven't been too terrible in terms of workload, but I do need to buckle down and get started on my proposal. Even though I've written the proposal itself (without the preliminary data), I need to go over it with my advisor because all these new projects I am working on at the moment will probably sneak themselves in at some point as well. Ah, GRAD SCHOOL! I won't bore you with details, except something exciting: apparently the <a href="http://www.jackdaniels.com/visit">Jack Daniels headquarters and tour</a> is located 3.5 hours from me! And it's FREE (not the whiskey, just the tour...you sick poop). As soon as I get some headway on these new research projects (inshAllah), I am going to go!<br />
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If you read this and you believe that the end of Facebook is near (or not), comment below! Also, if you like alcohol (HELLO)!Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-19544116297817574682013-01-01T23:10:00.000-05:002013-01-16T22:44:41.203-05:00Happy Panda New Year!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Happy new year from the graduate panda! Obviously I gave up
on the regular updates at the start of last semester, but after a refreshing
break at home and some exciting news, I am ready to get back in the blogging
saddle! One of my new year’s resolutions this year is to update my blog at
least once a month! I have never failed on a new year’s resolution before, so
this will be a good way for me to get back on schedule in my shasty internet
life.</div>
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<br /></div>
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First, I need to update you on all the happenings from
August until now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“I found out, much to my amazement, that I do in fact have a
little butt crack.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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OOPS A DAISY! I’m currently sitting on the airplane from
Philly to Atlanta and had to take a urine break. The Boyf took liberties to
infiltrate this post and add the above line. Quite the literary genius. Never
fear, I am back! And on with the updates!</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Boyf and I finally moved in together! After about 7 or
so odd year of dating, we really made strides in the past year in our
relationship. We have been living in Atlanta for one year now, and living in
the same room for approximately four months…which may or may not have
contributed to the lack of updates. While maintaining my graduate student
duties, I have found it slightly challenging to stay on top of my personal
hobbies (such as blogging, guitar/music, writing letters) while spending time
with The Boyf. And here is what I have to say to those little doubt-monsters
about moving in with my significant other:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Once you live
together, you’ll never have enough personal space</i>. Besides fighting over
closet space, we have done pretty well in sharing space and understanding each
other’s personal boundaries. Plus, we are both at work almost 12 hours/day, so
when we come home we actually want to be with each other. The biggest thing we
fight about is who is doing the dishes. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You’ll discover each
other’s messy habits.</i> My biggest pet peeve about the boyf is that he likes
to step out of the shower without drying his feet, soaking the bath mat in the
morning before I get in the shower. I HATE stepping onto a wet bath mat. His
pet peeve is probably that my now ridiculously long hair sheds ALL OVER the
place – which I also hate. We’re learning to deal with it, but those aren’t
problems that can’t be fixed. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One of you will be messy</i>.
The Boyf likes to sleep early and I always go to bed late. I usually do the
laundry, clean the dishes and all when he is in bed, which frustrates me
because I feel that he is just being lazy by zonking out. However, he is always
prompt in the morning (to the point of being slightly irritating) and takes out
the trash and gets all the outside-of-the-house issues done during the day,
when I don’t have time (for instance, doing the research on car shopping,
picking up the car tag, stopping at Home Depot to get apartment fixing stuff).
Putting away laundry sometimes gets to be a problem, but I have found that the
sex boycott works extremely well for getting your significant other to do
things around the house.</div>
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And not only have we basically overcome these move-in myths,
we have learned a great deal more about each other. Such as our obsession with
cheesecake! The local cheesecake restaurant is moving to within a few blocks of
our apartment, so now we’ll be rolling around in cream cheese heaven (and our
own belly fat, if this continues). However, to balance our hedonistic dieting,
we should start a good workout regimen. We have been having way too much fun
just eating (delicious) crap and sleeping instead of going to the gym and doing
the rabbit nibble. Hopefully this new year will let us start getting in shape.
You know how the gyms are always packed for the first two weeks, then everyone
remembers that 11 months of weight isn’t going to come off in a week, and stops
working out altogether. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We have also been obsessing over Arrested Development, which
is coming out with a new season apparently in May this year! 2013 definitely
has a few good things in store for us (which you’ll see as you keep reading),
including the Chinese year of the snake…MY YEAR! So all you skeptics can kiss
my flat pancake panda butt. HATERS GON’ HATE.</div>
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The Boyf and I also bought a car! Well, technically we are
leasing the car, which happened fortuitously in the midst of our frantic car
searching two months ago. We settled on a Toyota Prius, which has brought me
great joy (as it has been my dream car since high school, fo’ rizzle) and The
Boyf great ridicule. Apparently there is a Prius forum online where Prius
owners get together and devise secret handshakes and head nods for when they
encounter each other on the road. I kid, but not really. So call me if you have
a Prius.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But the biggest news of all, for which I have been delaying
this post, is that….</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am moving to Richmond!</div>
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<br /></div>
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My advisor has decided to leave the landlocked Atlanta for a
boat friendly Richmond, Virginia. As it turns out, my obsessive compulsiveness
in taking way too many classes has paid off. I’ll be able to finish up my
graduate class requirement in May, while still earning a certificate in
management, and be able to finish my research in Richmond. We had to negotiate
a little, but if I pass my proposal by May and finish my courses, I’ll be able
to still get my degree from Georgia Tech/Emory/Peking University and partake in
research for one year in Beijing, while finishing up my research in Richmond.
I’ll have to return to Atlanta for bi-annual committee meetings, which will
actually be nice, and paid for. Although I’m sad about leaving some friends in
Atlanta and the good food on Buford Highway, I am really looking forward to the
opportunity space in Richmond and also being closer to my home in Lancaster,
PA. Padre is pretty excited about being able to see me ALL THE TIME, while
still denying the fact that The Boyf and I are basically married, and
continually tries to plan a future where he will live in my house with me and
make me soup every day for dinner. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m pretty nervous about my proposal this semester, since
I’ll be busy finishing classes and trying to push out my first grad student
paper (WOOT!). But I am really excited about the other projects I am working on
in lab. This first year and a half of grueling work has seemed to finally start
paying off. I’ll be attending my first conference of graduate school in three
weeks in San Antonio, followed by another conference in March in Seattle. If
the year finishes out well, I’ll have another conference in September in Boston
to add to my CV also. Being able to share my research makes me feel like what I
am doing is worthwhile! It’s definitely nice to be part of a community that understands
what you are doing as opposed to the blank stares you get when you go home for
the holidays and people are like, “Oh that’s cool…so if you are going to be a
doctor, can you write me a prescription for weed?” Okay, so that’s not really
how it goes, but now that marijuana is going to be legal in Washington and
Colorado, we might as well invest in the brownie factories early. I need a
retirement fund, especially since apparently NSF does not count as income that
I am able to contribute to an IRA. CRIKEY! NSF has really benefitted me while
screwing me over at the same time. I get a great stipend and my tuition and
fees paid for, yet I have to pay taxes, can’t apply for a mortgage and can’t
contribute to an IRA with the income. Sounds like the US government, all right.
But I won’t complain. I do need to thank NSF for providing me with these great
shoes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So anyway, that’s it! I’m sure that I forgot some stuff, but
all the important things are in here. Also, I started TAing last semester and
my instructor recommended the book The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand for me to read.
I was getting really bummed out with my research and the politics I saw in
academia. This week’s break at home (including the immense amounts of shopping)
plus the book’s message (be true to your art!) has put me in a much better
mood. I would recommend it to anyone who is in any field that requires a little
bit of creativity (or even if you don’t think it does, read the book and
reconsider; you’ll have a lot more to think about at least). </div>
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<br /></div>
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There’s one final thing that I wanted to share this new
year’s day. Of course we’ve all heard it – to live life to the fullest – but it
is hard to practice with so many daily responsibilities. During break, I and
another formed student visited my undergraduate research advisor in the
hospital. He has suffered a stroke and underwent brain surgery. He is
recovering fine now, but I wonder if he will ever really be the same. It was
funny and strange, because just a few months ago I had send him a link to this TED
talk on surviving a stroke and having the will to relearn everything and live
again. I wonder if he had thought about it at all or if he even remembers
watching the video (or if he even watched it – professors are always so busy).
But I do want to say that he was a great advisor, and the person who influenced
me most (besides crazy Padre) to go to graduate school. He truly loved his art,
science. He never did have any children, but I almost think he made more of an
impact as an advisor to lots of the “homeless” scientific community’s children
than he would have had he invested all his time and energy in one or two
people. I’m not saying he shouldn’t have children, I’m just suggesting that
ended up “fathering” more of us in a way that he shouldn’t feel bad about not
starting his own family. But anyway, things like that just make you think about
your life and how you want to make an impact in the world. And they make you
realize that everyday little things, like smiling at someone or being a good
advisor/mentor, are great contributors to your legacy. Never forget who you are
and, in the words of The Boyf’s cousin, WORK TO EARN everyday! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy new year 2013! I look forward to a fruitful and fun
year ahead!</div>
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<br /></div>
Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-66304370715972611852012-06-22T23:09:00.000-04:002012-06-25T23:19:24.758-04:00Unfortunate Panda Goes to a Mosque!<span lang="EN-GB">Well, well, well. Look who is updating her
blog in a timely manner! This iPad really is fantastic; I am typing up this
post whilst flying 10,000 feet in the air, on my way to an Indian Islamic
wedding. Who would have thunk it?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">A few pretty exciting updates since my last
update, mostly birthdays and special occasions. One pretty poopy (trying to
remain civil for the Internet world) occasion today, but we will get to that
soon enough. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">The Boyf, my brother, Big K, And my
roommate, Jacky Fabulous, had their birthdays last week. It was also Father's
Day, so there was a lot of celebrations and presents flying across the US. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I had the toughest time thinking of an
appropriate and awesome birthday present for The Boyf (like I do for almost
every holiday). After endlessly searching on Google for random presents, I
stumbled across the private clubs of the business and socialite world. I had
thought these only existed in the movies, but apparently every other high rise
in the city houses one of these exclusive clubs. Not knowing at the time, I
think I still did a pretty good job of selecting a good one. Since they are
pretty pricey (even though we got a sweet dal for the young executive
membership), I could afford afford six months. But it is pretty fantastic, and
The Boyf is really enjoying his time there so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The complimentary valet, personal gym locker
with laundry services, awesome concierge, beautiful facilities, free wiFi and
food and drink soecials are great, but then I realize we did pay a huge chunk
of money in advance. For us, it Is like a special thing we can treasure because
we are totally not used to this type of luxury. But it is still weird meeting
CEOs and other super important business people who actually LIVE this lifestyle.
During this week's orientation, we got to rub elbows with some pretty rich
people. I thought they would be pretentious (interestingly, only the ones who
weren't that successful were ridiculous), but we ended up having a great time
with a couple of them. The one thing about business, though, is that you move
on quickly. Networking with so many people is fun, but only if you get to see
them and hang out again afterward. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">To celebrate the birthdays of The Boyf and
Jacky Fabulous, we hosted a dinner party. Since Jacky and I moved in together
about a month ago, we have been hosting get togethers almost every weekend. The
space is perfect for entertaining, and parking is easy and free. Our location
is also right in the city and by school. Also, I can finally cook! Having a
nice kitchen lets us and others be able to make whatever we/want. Anyway, the
party was great. Unsurprisingly, everyone brought some variation of fried
chicken. The Boyf's cousin was in town, so we went out afterward, but Jacky
stayed in to work on his thesis...he is defending very soon!</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">As for the family that are across the
country, I sent my brother a gift certificate to Texas Roadhouse, an inside
joke in our family that, sadly, is not really a joke. We love Texas Roadhouse!
Unfrortunately, he has not gotten his card yet, which makes me suspect that
some mongrel is creeping on my outbox and stealing birthday gift certificates
from innocent bystanders. I also may very well have just forgotten to send
it...Alton that means I must have also lost it too. Oh well...hopefully those
Inge don't have an expiration on date! </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Padre got a huge thermos and a travel mug,
with some vitamins and tea for Father's Day. I wasn't really sure what to get
him either, especially on such a tight budget (not every gradhate student can
afford a full pirate club membership AND an iPad), but it always ends up
working out. Hot water (not beverages, like tea or coffee, just water) is
another one of those inside jokes that is actually real in my family. Padre
still has not given up the Chinese way and continually drinks hot water despite
the 100 degree summer weather and the gallons of distiller spring water we keep
in the house. He will actually boil the spring water and then drink it. Plain.
Long story short, he liked his gift.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">And speaking of birthdays, a bunch of
people at turning the big 3-0 this month! My brother, two friends from school,
a pair of twins that we know randomly, and another dude! So come to think of
it, it is only men. Perhaps women just are ageless. Well, except for all those
women who have done me wrong in this life. They are all crackheads. Maybe also
the 400 pound lady sitting next to me on the plane...I SAID IT.</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">And speaking of crackheads and foolishness,
the bad news arrives! Today I was suspended from the cleanroom! Everything was
going well this week until this morning. I finally as able to schedule a piece
of equipment that had been down for over a month. But some hoe caused the fire
alarm to go off last night, so they had to shut down the cleanroom as a
orprecaution, even though the mishap wasn't even related to the cleanroom. I
was originally scheduled to use the equipment from 7-10 this morning, but due
to the shutdown the cleanroom would not be open until 8. I could have easily
finished my work in three hours, and I would barely scrape by in two hours. But
upon my arrival, none of the buttons worked on the machine! I started to panic
and called the person I charge of the equipment. Lucky me and fugging TMobile,
I didn't have service in there. So I used the cleanroom phone to call the
equipment guy. I called his cell phone, his office phone, then another guy's
cell phone, then both staff offices to figure out what I should do. He cell
phone redirected to sme random guys phone, and no one else answered. I decided
finally that I could still salvage my experiment if I tried restarting the
system by venting and then pumping down the system. Halfway through pumping
down, the system gives an error and just quits doing anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Freaking out at this point and
contemplating whether or not I should just pull the emergency alarm and cause
another big scene like last night, I decided to forgo the experiment and
instead work on a different one while waiting forthe trainer to arrive (he had
a training session scheduled for that morning). Deciding to wait outside for
him so as not to pay extra for the time I was inside but not using the
equipment (yes, we are charged by time, it is slightly ridiculous), I run into
him on the way out. Now it looks like I did something wrong and am trying to
escape before getting caut red handed, even though I was just trying to save
money. Then I tell him what happened, and that I was sorry and tried calling
him but no one answered their phones. But APPARENTLY you have to dial 9 first
when calling outside of campus. Fugging poop. So now I look like a careless
imbecile. I had no idea 'venting the system' meant FUG WE ARE DEAD, but
apparently it does. So I guess there are a lot of chambers, and usually it ny
vents a few of them. But venting the system causes the whole machine to shut down.
Strike three. Now i just look like an idiot. And, trying to maintain my
composure and not seeing the trainer going into an epileptic fit, I
decided<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it would be fine after all. So I
told him to call me if he had any other questions and that I really was
flustered this morning. Strike four, if that was even possible</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I managed to patch things up slightly
during the day. Because it is a time course experiment, I could do the
experiment sometime next week and still make it work in the general time frame.
I even sent an urgent email to Dr. Zebra, my advisor, to ask for extra time to
compete the experiment. He responded, which isIsraelis, considering has has
been ignoring my other emails for about three weeks now. I rescheduled the
equipment for Monday evening. It was pretty late, but ate least it was still
available. So far, so good. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Around 7pm, I get an email letting me know
that I have been suspended from the cleanroom for one week, what can I say? I
guess I was more angry before I started writing this, but after goings through
everything that happened, I could see this coming. Even though I never did
anything but bad intentions, sometimes the cards are just not cut the right
way. So I guess I can just take it with a grain of salt, and suck it up and send
another apologetic email. Hmm...I guess it was a good thing I decided to write
this blog.mi was really worried I wouldn't get over being angry enough to enjoy
one of my best friends' wedding weekend. It's funny how we lose perspective of
things sometimes. Although I h although I will never forget this and will be
bitter about it probably forever. But atleast I'm over it for the rest of this
weekend. </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Alright, I should probably turn this thing
off soon! We are landing in a little bit and in less than 24 hours Yashmak will
be a married woman!</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ok announcement just came on. I'll post
this tonight! <o:p></o:p></span></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-33144436063784066182012-06-02T15:37:00.002-04:002012-06-02T15:37:25.496-04:00Supa Dupe PhD Candidate Panda<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Hello, world! So much has happened since I
last updated my blog. DEAL WITH IT. But the worst is over, so now I shall recap
my saga. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">SUPA DUPE updates:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">1. I am officially a PhD candidate in
biomedical engineering! Probably the biggest thing hindering updating my blog
was stressing out/kind of studying for my QUALIFYING EXAM. Well, the worst of
it is over. Our program has qualifying exams at the end of the graduate
student's first year. It is a 90 minute oral examination held by a committee of
three professors. I had heard mixed reviews from previous students who has
passed the exam, even though the fail rate has been pretty low. So I did many a
mock oral exam with my peers and older students in the program, blew through
two<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>textbooks the weekend before my exam
(not recommended...I just tend to focus better when I'm cramming). Anyway, long
story short, I PASSED!! To commemorate the event, I even made business cards!
They are so baller. Unfortunately, I have not been able to actually use them
yet (except for when I just show them off to my friends); however<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>remain optimistic as I foresee many
networking opportunities in the near future.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEnZgqvDwOi-jUqsjo1RUQ79uRqdo6UFe5YMaLurawqjGWJoTPC5HsBuQtcYb7aRnSz7mcplBIVb0n-E8JwO7lGTewk35Mf30-LfRQFBypZVrMRpjH-UT60j8QRiphWpDGM8HtK63Wy4/s1600/mod+card.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEnZgqvDwOi-jUqsjo1RUQ79uRqdo6UFe5YMaLurawqjGWJoTPC5HsBuQtcYb7aRnSz7mcplBIVb0n-E8JwO7lGTewk35Mf30-LfRQFBypZVrMRpjH-UT60j8QRiphWpDGM8HtK63Wy4/s320/mod+card.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You wish your business card was as dope as mine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB">2. My age is composed of two consecutive
numbers! No, I'm not 12 or 34...I am 23 years old/young! It was a bit hectic as
my birthday was May 10, and my qualifying exam was scheduled for May 14.
Needless to say, I didn't celebrate until after my exam. The party<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>planning got a bit crazy as The Boyf was
trying to plan a surprise party at the same time as I was trying to plan a
dinner. Shit went down and the jig went up, but in the end we figured it out
and I had a great night with my friends. The Boyf got me the NEW IPAD! I got a
case and bluetooth keyboard for it, and am currently proposing this prose on
the technology. Coming from someone who has always had Windows products, I may
or may not be considering buying a Macbook!</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/524330_3121927575179_298826866_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/524330_3121927575179_298826866_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday cake from The Boyf and my transition from 22 to 23!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/248109_3212738085385_1474260076_42043401_1810996197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/248109_3212738085385_1474260076_42043401_1810996197_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post quals/birthday festivities at Cosmo-Lava lounge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB">3. I no longer have cockroaches in my
kitchen! Unfortunately, this took too long to fix, and the only way to rid
myself of those pesky creatures was to move to a new apartment. Now I am
happily residing in a 2bed/2bath apartment with Mr. McDonald, soon to be Dr.
McDonald. He is planning on defending in July, and then The Boyf plans to move
into my room and we shall have the extra room available for rent. Even though
we drive each other crazy sometimes, I am glad we will soon be able to see each
other every day, instead of every two months. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In short, life is good. I had stressed out
since January about all these things happening, but then I remember all the
times I had freaked out previously in my life for no good apparent reason, and
somehow everything works out. God is good and takes care of everything. I took
this personality test that examined my strengths, and Belief was one of my top
5. Which means that I believe fate has led me to become a panda. IT ALL MAKES
SENSE NOW!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Also, the stupid IRS has been freezing my
bank account recently due to an ERRONEOUS sum of money from taxes back in 2009
that I failed to pay. The key word here is ERROR, aka WRONG, aka THE IRS ARE
IMBECILES that have incestuous relations with each other that procure
6-fingered child monsters, who continue to inbreed disgustingly within the next
generation, causing the organization to levy innocent (and normal phalangic)
citizens in order to pay the high cost of surgical removal of the damned
fingers, the procedure to which I MYSELF may or may not be contributing with my
doctoral research.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I HATE THE IRS.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">But speaking of incest, I read the book
'<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Solitude-Gabriel-Garcia-Marquez/dp/0060929790">'100 years of solitude'' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez</a> on a whim last weekend, and
it was absolutely fantastic! Probably one of the best, if not the best, books
that I have read in my entire life. Not only that, but it was an English
translation of a Spanish, which makes me sad that I did not keep up with
Spanish long enough to be able to read the original version of the novel. But
if you have never read it, READ IT. You won't regret it, I promise you. It's so
crazy and insane in the membrane that you'll wonder if the author was brilliant
or deranged, or BOTH. I support the latter. MY IDOL. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And speaking deranged, today we ordered the
TRIPLE CORONARY BYPASS BURGER at the Vortex restaurant, which was a bit
disappointing but nevertheless lead to a satisfactory bout of diarrhea. Just
kidding. OR AM I. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/582423_3212739365417_178668094_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/582423_3212739365417_178668094_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was more excited about the $10 coupon from Google offers.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Like I said, deranged.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">But anyway, now that summer has arrived and
I am finally DONEZO with IBS and the Core graduate classes that also caused
IBS, I should have more time to update! I would toast with some wine, but
alcohol just makes my stomach itchy, so I'll stick with the flavored sparkling
water. Here's to a fruitful summer, with lots of updates and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fun stuff...not to mention a lot of badass
research. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Would it be too much to ask for a
first-author paper by August? </span></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-68793814061480986572012-01-22T21:48:00.000-05:002012-01-22T21:48:17.179-05:00Happy Lunar New Year!<div class="MsoNormal">Once again, I have been riding the procrastination train, but fortunately I am back again with vigor! The past month has been filled with many exciting things, including but limited to: a huge fight with Padre, start of my second semester in graduate school, The Boyf’s move to Atlanta, and celebration of the Lunar New Year. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">From my last visit home over Thanksgiving break, I received some verbal disapproval from Cabbage about The Boyf. She remarked on how I “could do better” and what not, and so on and so forth, without any basis and completely out of the blue. After this incident, I decided to be more cautious about disclosing information to her. Over Christmas break, she asked me what The Boyf was planning on doing after graduating college. So I replied truthfully and said he received a job offer in Atlanta, and would probably be moving shortly. I figured she would tell Padre at some point anyway, but I feel like lying about it anymore because I am over this whole “hide and seek” situation. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, she DID tell Padre. He walked in on Christmas Day pissed as a pigeon, demanding to know whether my allegiance lied with him or with The Boyf. I told him that forcing me to make this decision was ridiculous and that there were never any sides involved anyway. I said I would leave if he wanted me to, and that I wouldn’t promise whether or not I would break up with anyone. This is my own life and it is time for me to make my own decisions. If things don’t work out, The Boyf and I will break up. But we won’t break up just because Padre says so. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next few days were awkward to say the least. I wasn’t particularly angry about the matter. I thought Padre was being childish about the situation but figured he would get over it. He didn’t call me for two days and we didn’t see each other because I hung out with Little Swallow while Padre was at work during the day. I would have left the house but somehow didn’t feel like things had escalated to that point yet, but I definitely felt weird living in the house and not speaking with Padre. On the third day, I went to the outlets with Little Swallow. We walked into J. Crew and walked out immediately because she decided she wanted to look at shoes and not clothing, and I didn’t really care since I’m a po’ motherf*****. Shortly thereafter, Uncle Tom called to ask what the deal was, because apparently he is my familial guidance counselor now. Apparently Padre was in J. Crew and thought I was purposely avoiding him when I left the store prematurely. The entire situation escalated into a huge deal, and Uncle Tom even asked if The Boyf was “Italian or Jewish” when he asked me to describe him, which just goes to show how ignorant they are in the first place. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Long story short, I went to the restaurant for dinner later that evening and Padre was so happy that we both didn’t mention what happened over the past few days. I guess I’m also happy to have not lost my father. I was pretty upset, even though I didn’t show it to my family. Probably because I hate most of them. But all’s well that ends well. Padre just told me to take it slow and let him know if anything happens, which I will do anyway.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Between Christmas and New Year, I went to New York City to visit Coral Diver, my old roommate from college! It was planned poorly due to the previously discussed situation with Padre, but we did meet up for a little during the day. Also, I finally got my hair trimmed by my lovely hairdresser. I save my haircuts just to get them done by her. She does a great job.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I returned to Atlanta on January 3, and The Boyf moved to Atlanta on January 13. The new semester has been okay so far. I believe my classes will not be as time intensive as last semester, although it may be too soon to speak. Also, Dr. Zebra was here the first week of January, so that stress has already passed. He will be here again in mid February, so I will have to start buckling down again soon. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It has been surprisingly good with The Boyf living in the city. He is rooming with Danto, his best friend from college, who also happens to work in the same firm. So things are working out nicely with those two. They live about 25 minutes away from me, but it is easily accessible by the rail, which is also pretty cheap. It’s only been the second weekend and I’ve basically spent every weekend at their apartment since The Boyf’s arrival, but strangely I don’t feel like I am wasting my time or “not being productive,” like I usually stress out when The Boyf is in town. I also thought it would be weird to go from seeing each other once every 3 months to seeing each other every weekend for the entire weekend, but it was a very smooth transition and not weird at all. I have gotten to finish my own work and I believe that in the near future, we may be able to live together without me pulling my hair out trying to finish some assignment, while The Boyf suggestively darts a condom near my peripheral vision every once in a while. Having the same schedule also helps a lot. And when we are together, I hardly ever go on the Internet, which actually saves a lot of time. I do what needs to get done, and nothing more (no Youtube, not Craigslist!). So in reality, I’m not being that much more “productive” when I’m sitting at home anyway. The other thing is that I spend a lot of time playing guitar. I am considering just moving my guitar over the The Boyf’s apartment, so I can play it during weekends and focus on my schoolwork and research SUPER HARD during the week. This also gives me an incentive. And like I told The Boyf, having him around really puts things into perspective. I feel like I stress less because I know that we can both get things done together and I can focus on the priorities at hand.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! Technically it’s called “CHINESE New Year,” but to be politically correct, it is according to the lunar calendar and more than just Chinese people celebrate it. Jacky Fabulous, a senior graduate student in our lab, went to China about a month ago and was stuck there with visa complications. He finally returned last Wednesday, and in order to celebrate his and The Boyf’s arrival into Atlanta, a few of us went to KFC BUFFET on Friday evening. You are thinking one of two things:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 1. </span><!--[endif]-->Ew…KFC Buffet? Not a classy place at all to celebrate anything. And super unhealthy, too.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> 2. </span><!--[endif]-->WOW, KFC BUFFET! I didn’t even know such a thing existed! YOU MUST LOVE THE SOUTH!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To continue the celebratory streak, a bunch of us also gathered together on Saturday evening for a Chinese hot pot, followed by a mean karaoke session. This was my first time doing karaoke in the United States; in fact, I didn’t know it existed in the US (besides maybe New York), but apparently there are places popping up everywhere with Asian style Karaoke. And it’s a big hit. We all had a great time, and The Boyf is slowing becoming accustomed to Chinese traditions. This afternoon, we had dim sum at a restaurant that is very near to The Boyf’s apartment. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is so weird to be “grown up,” even though I don’t feel like it because I am still in school. Many of my friends are graduating or already in industry, and living in the city also accelerates these changes. Although considered the gold standard in academia, an NSF fellowship will only get you one third of what anyone else working in a high rise in the city makes. Of course, I am not concerned about the money. In fact, it makes other people look more foolish when they waste their money on superfluous things, when I realize how hard someone has to work to make only a fraction of their salary. But what I am gaining is knowledge, which in in my opinion is worth just as much as the actual monetary value I get from my stipend. And in reality, that is the point of graduate school, isn’t it? Plus, having the The Boyf around is nice because I get his hand-me-downs, like the new blackberry I upgraded to today when he purchased a new iphone. But just to humble him, I dragged him to Goodwill for an hour while I browsed around for hidden treasures (no luck this time, will try again next weekend!).<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On a very sad note, Joe Paterno has passed away. JoePa was the head football coach at Penn State for 61 years, before receiving an extremely undignified dismissal from his position following a sex scandal story. JoePa was not directly involved in the scandal, but was fired because he did not follow up on his original reporting of the situation to higher officials. There is a lot of controversy over this but THERE HAS BEEN NOT TRIAL, so nothing can be said. The facts can also be interpreted very differently. I won’t go into detail into the story; if you want to know, you can read the brief yourself. However, I will go ahead and say that I still love JoePa with all my heart and that I believe he was completely innocent. I am no expert on football and I have never met Joe Paterno, but sometimes you have to give your intuition credit. And in this case, my intuition is shock and outrage at the sequence of events regarding the entire situation. While at Penn State, I and many other always thought JoePa might pass away while coaching (either in the physical act or at least still employed, in the very least), and speculated on how many people would attend the funeral, the ceremony most likely held on the football field. No one ever thought anything like this would happen. I am terribly sad that we weren’t able to say our goodbyes and that such a wonderful man had to pass away under the critical eyes of society. It is true that you are always true to your alma mater. So many of the experiences that shaped my love for Penn State had to do with JoePa. I feel like he was my grandpa, and I know most alumni feel the same way. I hope that we will be able to find some collective way to pay tribute to JoePa, and I also hope that the University will realize how foolish it was to punish one man for the misdeeds of many others.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In closing: life is both wonderful and very tragic at the same time. I realize how fortunate I am to have support from people that I love, and to be in place where I can still achieve my dreams. At the same time, it is important to prioritize things, because life is funny most of the time, and likes to catch you off guard. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, that’s my rant! I still need to call Padre and Cabbage to wish them a happy new year, reply to Coral Diver’s email, and get to bed! Sorry I didn’t include photos in this post; I am running out of time and have decided that sleep is a priority now (along with drinking more milk!). Happy new year!<o:p></o:p></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-49612868727469855002011-12-20T10:40:00.002-05:002011-12-20T10:43:48.694-05:00Panda (tentatively) Survives the Semester<span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">Hello my dear little cheese curls! I have finally lived to see the day when I'd have time (or patience) to update my blog yet again! I finished my finals on Thursday of last week. The weekend was a blur due to my celebratory festivities, although I will try my best to recap the highlights. Although this week should be my most productive in lab since I don't have any classes, the equipment I need to use is currently down, and I have no estimate as to when it will be usable again. Thus, I am stuck at my desk, trying my best to concentrate on reading papers and The Economist. Unfortunately (or fortunately!) I have decided instead to update my blog! Usually I reserve non-school/lab work to be completed outside of the 9-5 block of time, but as of late I have just been going home and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPSfgXcarrA&feature=player_embedded#!">making Youtube videos</a> instead.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cPSfgXcarrA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">To curb this inefficiency in the abode, I have decided to force myself to complete work RIGHT THIS SECOND as I sit here, otherwise I will be tempted to go on Facebook, which is another no-no between 9-5. Plus, my efficiency has risen dramatically over the past month or so, so I deserve a break to write this.</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP1bsnqxu5cF9-XORu_-ncwnTufSwYlYI6KRSUGMMo8lIRbg8ja0bp9YU_rrKC-GtE03iekmtlwqBdHuehIv4Wj-BQF4amXCwWMfj7QIxcw6WFlm-rpBnHnvbejpDVdLNnHPv4W7tAtw/s1600/efficiency.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP1bsnqxu5cF9-XORu_-ncwnTufSwYlYI6KRSUGMMo8lIRbg8ja0bp9YU_rrKC-GtE03iekmtlwqBdHuehIv4Wj-BQF4amXCwWMfj7QIxcw6WFlm-rpBnHnvbejpDVdLNnHPv4W7tAtw/s320/efficiency.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is certainly an improvement from my first summary of negative efficiency some time ago.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">Also, about a month ago I washed my Ipod nano that I received for Christmas from The Boyf several years ago. It has served me well; but alas, I had to be an incompetent fool and forget to check my jacket pockets before throwing it into the washer. And of course, the Ipod has not worked since then, even though I have been plugging it in every day to check if it charges. I stopped trying altogether about a week ago because I am hanging on the verge of hopelessness, although I did have a dream last night that it ended up charging. Let me try it now...</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">Nope. I'm screwed.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">And because I am so stubborn, I refuse to buy a replacement Ipod. Perhaps I will take this to the Apple store and claim software malfunction. I never thought I would be able to survive without listening to music on my walk to and from school every day, but I have before and I am starting to get used to it again. Although sometimes I do really miss it, it is nice listening to the sounds of REAL LIFE: birds chirping, cars beeping, the garbage truck, drunk people at happy hour, some homeless guy asking me for money...I digress. And I think I really miss listening to music. Usually I go on<a href="http://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100#/charts/hot-100"> Billboard 100</a> to stay up to date with and download new music, but I have just been so busy lately that I haven't had time to do that. With 4 classes and even a minimal amount of labwork, I still manage to find myself sitting in lab 10-12 hours a day, and also on the weekends. At least it is better now, since I no longer have classes. And this weekend I finally went out, which was a good way to wind down after a crazy semester. Anyway, I am in love with this "Good Feeling" song by Flo Rida, which is apparently originally from Avicii, but it really<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmGapenhuNw"> THE BEST remixed by Skrillex. LISTEN TO IT. NOW.</a> I am. And I keep having to resist the urge and start flinging my body around in the vicinity near my desk. The poor Muslim lady sitting next to really has to put up with a lot, although she reminds me a lot of Yashmak, my roommate from college, and I really like them both. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">On to the weekend! On Friday, we had "Girls Night" at one of our labmates' house. I highlight the title because it was not completely accurate. Although almost all the attendees were female, Papa Ray was also invited to "babysit" her son, although we all know better. Every woman in our lab, single or not, is vying for Papa Ray's hand in marriage because not only is he a great guy, he is well educated, a mean chef, and is really good with kids. And somehow STILL single...ah, the perks of academia... So on Friday, we had delicious homemade Korean food. Then a few of us met up with a few others, and went to the <a href="http://clermontlounge.net/">CLERMONT LOUNGE</a>! It is a strip bar for old people - as in the strippers are old, not the crowd. We talked to "Porscha", a 65 year old stripper who has two children, aged 25 and 40, and offered to give one of our guy friends a lap dance. We politely refused as he ran to the bathroom to throw up. But in all seriousness, it was actually a very fun time and the people were very chill. The best highlight of the night was the CRUSHING OF THE BEER CAN IN BETWEEN A STRIPPER'S BUTTCHEEKS! Yes, I never thought I would type that sentence either. But believe me, once you've seen the sight, you will always be hungering for more. I have also heard that one of the strippers ("Blondie"?) crushes the can in between her breasts. So glorious. Afterwards, we were so enthralled that we ordered a dozen doughnuts from Krispy Kreme.</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">The next day, I had to finish some work in the lab (surprise, surprise). But I also managed to sneak some time in to visit the<a href="http://sublimedoughnuts.com/"> local doughnut shop</a> with two other friends in lab (do the doughnuts ever end, you ask? "<a href="http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/d/deanmartin6331/babyitscoldoutside509415.html">the answer is nooooooo...</a>"). Although they didn't have<a href="http://voodoodoughnut.com/menu.php"> penis doughnuts</a>, the selection was otherwise great and very delicious. In the afternoon, I headed over to the opposing lab's Kario Mart party, which is basically Mario Kart but with drinking. Although I was the only non-lab member present that also was not someone's significant other (um, awkward turtle?), it actually wasn't too turtle (yes, I just said that). We had a lot of fun and went to dinner at a pizza place nearby. On Saturday night, a bunch of us went to <a href="http://www.operaatlanta.com/index1.php">Opera</a>, a nightclub in the area. I am not sure what the deal is with nightclub/bars that are named after random things, like<a href="http://www.sisterlouisaschurch.com/"> Church, which is a bar</a> but often gets mistaken for a CHURCH because, well, you know...turtle. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">Anyway, we parked to go to Opera in a $3 lot after much debate and evasion of the $10, then $5 lots. I kept opting for free street parking, but was overturned by a vote of 4-1. It turned out that we didn't have $3 in cash between the 5 of us. So we just left and figured we would come back afterwards and pay, or not pay (probably the latter). However, when we came back roughly 4 hours later, there was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_clamp">A BOOT ON OUR CAR</a>. Which cost $75 to get off! In retrospect, we should have just googled "how to get a boot of your car" and found out that all you have to do is <a href="http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/www/Info/boot.html">deflate your tire</a> and it slips right off, but of course we were being ignorant fools. I'm still pissed about the situation, although I suppose it was our own faults for not paying. BUT STILL. Apparently there is a "real life superhero" in England called the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3112670.stm">Angle-Grinder Man</a> that goes around cutting boots off people's cars. Because I'm slightly less apt with heavy machinery, I am considering just handing out print-outs of the previous website so that other people with boots can get rid of them without having to pay the ridiculous fine. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">But talking about real-life superheros, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO movie is being released TOMORROW!!! </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WVLvMg62RPA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">Last summer, I read all three of the books in the trilogy by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Then I saw all three of the Swedish movies. I even went as Lisbeth Salander for Halloween. Now the movies are being remade in Hollywood, and I CANNOT wait to watch them! As of today, the wallpaper on both of my computers are of a tattooed Rooney Mara. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQar7U2lWUv3QWPnHPcdUfVZ833qx1NEMhMH8AUCAH4t9EV0tIcWnmD_VPO_eYbTkv73f1jDVddtm0q5z8xtmI_0Sym6mtBZerEOeZEnHMCjjuZUHu2kZwtPpYHwi4q3EsHoT5iBNcgc/s1600/rooney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQar7U2lWUv3QWPnHPcdUfVZ833qx1NEMhMH8AUCAH4t9EV0tIcWnmD_VPO_eYbTkv73f1jDVddtm0q5z8xtmI_0Sym6mtBZerEOeZEnHMCjjuZUHu2kZwtPpYHwi4q3EsHoT5iBNcgc/s320/rooney.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">She is so badass.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">I've posted this on Facebook and may or may not pass out before I make it to the theater to watch the premiere. It's even got a <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_girl_with_the_dragon_tattoo/">90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes</a>, which you KNOW is near impossible (Fine, it is 85% now, but as of last night it was still 90%, and I'm sure it will go back up! Haters gon' hate...). I think I'll have to wait to see it with The Boyf when I go home after Friday, so I don't know how I'm going to contain my excitement until then. </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">This week, apart from the dreadful wait for the contact angle machine to go back up, is filled with exciting things! Tomorrow I am going to see the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rfLjzjw_p_U">Atlanta Ballet's The Nutcracker</a>, showing at the <a href="http://www.foxtheatre.org/">Fox Theater</a> right next to my place. Then Thursday night I am going to the <a href="http://www.redbrickbrewing.com/">Atlanta Brewing Company</a> to finally use my Groupon. Then Friday night I am going HOME! So home. In college I hated going home. But now that I've finally told Padre about The Boyf, he is finally giving me a bit more freedom and it's actually nice to go home now. Also, today at 6pm I find out if I passed MASS TRANSFER (passing with a B, that is - still reminiscing over the days when I could get by with a D in fluids). So wish me luck! </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">I just received an email that the contact angle machine should be back up soon. EL KHEMDULLILAH! (I know it's spelled wrong, deal with it). </span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #330099; font-family: georgia, serif;">Happy holidays! More updates to come soon (hopefully)...</span></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-39912991510212976222011-12-04T20:58:00.000-05:002011-12-04T20:58:30.990-05:00Panda is "B"sianInstead of replying to my regular email correspondence with Coral Diver, I have decided to FINALLY update this damn thing. It seems that every time I promise to update "soon", it ends up being taking even longer than my usual update time. Part of the reason is because I get lazy: I have started reserving all work for the lab, so that when I go home, I tend to vegetate and eventually succumbing to ingesting alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, as a graduate student the WORK NEVER ENDS. In trying to keep my work-home life separate, I have started to spend approximately 12-14 hours PER WEEKDAY in lab, and about 6-8 hours per weekend day. It's nice to be braindead when I return to the apartment, but at some point my office chair is going to start growing mold from the constant warmth emanating from my butt. Anyway, I am here now. So let's start with some very exciting news:<br />
<br />
THE BOYF WILL BE MOVING TO HOTLANTA! We have been dating for 5 years, 4 of which have been distance. And as you probably know, 2 years where I have considered calling it quits (and 1 time where we did, but luckily we are back together). Somehow, though, we made it. The Boyf just received his job offer on Friday afternoon, and he will be accepting on Monday morning! Once things are finalized, he finish his last semester of school and move down in mid-January. However, I am a bit confused as to where our relationship stands. Now that he is actually moving to Atlanta, we still won't be living together. His best friend Danto is also working in the same company, so they want to be roommates. Although The Boyf and I agreed on living separately, part of my is still pissed about having to continue to pay full rent while Danto and The Boyf can subsidize each other. Oh, but socially, you mean? That's fine. 4 years of distance should probably be mended slowly. It might be better to see each other mostly on the weekend, then move in together when we both decide that the time is right. If things don't work out, he still has a sweet job and I am still at an awesome school (unless I don't pass <a href="http://arcanegazebo.net/images/dino-qual.PNG">qualifying exams</a>). <br />
<br />
I HAVE A PLAN FOR MY FIRST PAPER! Dr. Zebra is in town again, and my meeting with him yesterday went smoothly. At the time, I thought things were very clear. In hindsight, I have no idea what is going on and what the plan is for my first paper. However, the holiday party is this Friday at Dr. Barbie's hizzouse, and I am hoping that I can acquire a very aesthetically displeasing sweater for the event in order to throw off Dr. Zebra from my social antics. Apparently upper management is not amused with my jokes. So for the next unspecified period of time, I will have to remain boring and nondescript. Usually things turn around once everyone realizes I'm not a bimbo (OR AM I). For the time being, I can still express myself online (OR CAN I). And at least winter break is coming up and classes are ending, so I'll be able to have some time to enjoy myself (OR WILL I). I guess the point here is that nothing is certain in grad school, and I would really like some ice cream.<br />
<br />
<br />
THERE IS A COCKROACH IN MY CEREAL! About three weeks ago I started seeing an increased number of cockroaches in my kitchen. I called pest control twice, bought two cans of raid and still have yet to set off my three fumigator bombs. I stopped cooking and started eating cereal. Unfortunately, I did not expect a cockroach to crawl out of my cereal box. So basically I haven't entered my kitchen within the past two weeks. Yesterday I cleaned out my entire fridge of rotting food, and gave most of my pantry items to my lab and apartment neighbor. And lo and behold, when I threw out my cereal, the damn cockroach was still crawling around INSIDE THE BAG. I am hoping the problem is getting better since I haven't seen any more cockroaches crawling around (although I hardly enter the kitchen anyway) and hopefully the removal of the food will keep the roaches away. I am also armed with RAID anytime I enter the kitchen. Anyway, the apartment lease ends in May so I am actively looking for roach-free locations to live. If you have suggestions, let me know!<br />
<br />
IT IS STILL WARM IN ATLANTA! One of the great things about living in the South, besides the nicer people, is that the weather is fantastic. It is already December, but it was 70 degrees as I was walking to campus this afternoon. I am so unused to this weather, but it is still amazing. I'll be going home for one week for the holidays, and although it will be cold, at least it will feel more familiar than this Twilight zone weather.<br />
<br />
I AM A "B"SIAN, NOT AN ASIAN! I believe the minimum GPA requirement for taking my qualifying exams in May is a 3.0, which means all B's. As you may recall, most Asian parents are crazo (not a typo) about their kids getting perfect grades. This semester, I will most likely be getting all B's, as long as I don't fail my mass transfer course, in which case, I am going to quit the program and join the traveling circus as the "black sheep Asian". Hopefully I will pass all my classes, but it won't be with flying colors. Although research is the main priority, I still have to get through the program first. And Dr. Zebra and Dr. Barbie prefer students with better grades. At least Padre doesn't know a lick about graduate school and isn't breathing down my back anymore about studying (a typical phone conversation: "hello? where are you? are you in the library? are you studying? did you eat yet? can you call the phone company because there is an extra $5 charge on my statement this month? is my email account KMAIL OR GMAIL [disclaimer: THIS WAS A REAL QUESTION]?). Today I finished my last exam for my biology course (remember "Block 0"?). I have a paper due next week, then one final in my management course and one final for my mass transfer course.<br />
<br />
Until then, I'll be studying in lab! Wish me luck! And wish the The Boyf congratulations (now if I can ever get him to read my blog...)!Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-18609826761525500662011-10-30T00:47:00.002-04:002011-10-30T21:04:19.978-04:00Panda Is Sad<div class="MsoNormal">Right now the Georgia Tech vs. Clemson homecoming football game is playing, and I can hear the announcer from my open window. It’s also Halloween weekend and most people are dressed up in silly costumes and having a fun time. However, Panda is sitting at home, mourning the departure of a dear friend. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dr. Tittens left this morning to return to Germany. After 9 months in the States and only a little more than 2 months knowing me, he managed to have eight people take him out to dinner and the bars last night, and three see him to the airport this morning. Although I have known only him for a little more than 2 months, I have to admit that Dr. Tittens is one of my best friends. I think that has a lot to do with his character; some people just have good overall character and make friends with everybody. Plus a lot to do with this is that we both lived in the same apartment building, so we got to hang out almost every day. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On a scale from 1 (mild irritation, aka when I run out of Sriracha sauce) to 10 (physical pain/high emotional distress, aka when The Boyf and I “broke up” this summer), I would rank Dr. Titten’s departure as a 7. Usually I am fine with not seeing people for a while because I move a lot, even my best friends. But my friends are all in the US, so even if it’s a few years, we can still keep in touch via Facebook or whatever. This is a really different situation because Dr. Tittens really isn’t in the same field as us (he is a medical doctor and we are in research), and somewhere deep in your heart you know that you will probably never cross paths in life again. I’m sure at some point I’ll be able to visit Germany or whatever country he ends up in, and maybe his kids and my kids can end up being GENERATION II BEST BUDDIES, but for now it seems highly unlikely. I guess I’ll get over it in a few days and hang out with the other best buddies in lab, but it really just won’t be the same without the funny German accent screaming “I know that you are UGLY” to LMFAO. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been trying to console myself, but there is nothing to do. My internet is especially shitty tonight and I can’t even send out an email, The Boyf is away at some Halloween party (no doubt with terrible hair but he is a cowboy so at least the hat will cover it), I finished the last of the ice cream last week already, and to top it all off, there is a cockroach (I say ONE but there are probably more that I am remaining in denial about) in my kitchen that I tried to starve to death last week by not opening the cupboard, but I had to open it tonight to get my Nutella (you KNOW I am eating it right now with a spoon) and the damn bugger crawled right out. Actually, last night I randomly saw a guy with whom I had Chinese class back at Penn State while we were out, so we might end up hanging out tonight if I can pull my wits about me. But really, sitting at home eating Nutella by yourself on a Saturday evening is not the best spirit booster (although still delicious). Even the music on Itunes is starting to get depressing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I decided to write this blog post to make me feel better! I know I haven’t updated for a few weeks, which is usually the case. But now that Dr. Tittens is gone, I have much more time to myself and therefore am back on the productivity scale. Let’s recap!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Previously I had been going on about getting my belly button pierced. Well…I finally did it! BY MYSELF! Holla back HARDCORE PANDA! And as predicted, I knew that no one would believe me. So here is video documentation. For real. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/xsFC7aIS7cA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And also, my panda ring came in! I know I’m supposed to wait 6 months before changing the original piercing ring, but then again I DID pierce myself. So it was likely that I put the panda piercing in less than 10 days after the piercing. There was some swelling at the beginning, but luckily I am a HARDY PANDA and my body quickly recovered. Here, my tribute to Dr. Titten! The joke is that he is old enough to be my grandpa. Then when I have kids, he will be the crazy uncle running around, aka Papi Deustch! The ring is SO AMAZING. The bottom part is only partly attached to the head of the panda, so when I walk the bottom JIGGLES! SO. CUTE. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-n4xbGljJYCxTOIYKh57JXkRy1erIFyvZ1h4R2zX-VU0oi8xmYfzxw578UX4rIP7pQvFan3NrC5lTrUo8mgzGirXqc3wOLj6hGFykbvECB11coUR1oVPfiXZTEr8N0espxG4fBuyR3g/s1600/DSC01858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-n4xbGljJYCxTOIYKh57JXkRy1erIFyvZ1h4R2zX-VU0oi8xmYfzxw578UX4rIP7pQvFan3NrC5lTrUo8mgzGirXqc3wOLj6hGFykbvECB11coUR1oVPfiXZTEr8N0espxG4fBuyR3g/s320/DSC01858.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit A: Panda on Panda!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUDDM0j-Vq07Dxddke-FAzFieXQn7Tqhksq_z4iyVbON_QMudaoWPtscrWayheog3H72wRKulLlh408ur_9otyOqHl2cni1ZSgqj_jJDTdFdJhBbGVAohWXdgv6ja4_50J4jn-rExLXQ/s1600/DSC01850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUDDM0j-Vq07Dxddke-FAzFieXQn7Tqhksq_z4iyVbON_QMudaoWPtscrWayheog3H72wRKulLlh408ur_9otyOqHl2cni1ZSgqj_jJDTdFdJhBbGVAohWXdgv6ja4_50J4jn-rExLXQ/s320/DSC01850.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit B: Panda Belly centered</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOVv6gDMUvPDjn0XdQzmEShFl83dJsX45K1z13Aern9wtm0iS10y8bUviZ1fnoojsMK3F-r18biOhLJ_AkDYXWDL_MA4ycvPCw3Vg5m0t1LoWDSS6jKBtckVPKsnHaMv-jxfUO-nSjpM/s1600/DSC01856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOVv6gDMUvPDjn0XdQzmEShFl83dJsX45K1z13Aern9wtm0iS10y8bUviZ1fnoojsMK3F-r18biOhLJ_AkDYXWDL_MA4ycvPCw3Vg5m0t1LoWDSS6jKBtckVPKsnHaMv-jxfUO-nSjpM/s320/DSC01856.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit C: Panda Belly Jiggled! (the line was from my pants)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Alright, I am back! So I did find something to occupy me after all. Playing music always makes me feel better. Here’s a cover of “Domino”, originally by Jessie J, now by PANDA! It took me forever to figure out why I look retarded in most of my Youtube videos. It’s because I’m look down when I should be looking straight at the screen. Anyway, it should be good now. I wish I had a piano because it would be better for certain songs. But once I move out of here I’ll get a nice upright. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ufaUeFT6TBA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Also I put in some chicken to cook! I had gotten a bulk pack of chicken two weeks ago and had it in the freezer. So I put some seasoning on it and it’s been cooking for an hour. But forgetful me, I didn’t get up to stir it and the sugar coagulated on the bottom and started to burn the pot. So I resimmered it with more water and now it’s good again. Now I am making rice to go with it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Food is done! Bulk packaged and ready to go to lab tomorrow morning. I am feeding cells with another best buddy at 10am, so I’ll have to make the 9am church service...so I should probably stay in tonight. Although I did had a FANTAZMO nap earlier so I feel way better. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Happy early Halloween! I bought an “Alice in Wonderland’ costume online but don’t think I’ll be wearing it this year, although “the night is still young”. But my REALLY COOL costume is coming on Monday…I don’t want to ruin the surprise by showing you now, so I will try my best to post a picture of it on Monday when I wear it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay little cheese curls! I feel much better now. Thanks for listening to me moping. I’ll get back to work now! And hopefully I’ll get some ice cream tomorrow in case I start feeling sad again. </div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-70644596431153882252011-10-10T19:11:00.000-04:002011-10-10T19:11:06.674-04:00Panda Likes to Read<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/> <w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">These past few weekends have not been too exciting in terms of “going out”, which basically means I haven’t been crazily dancing anywhere in the city. However, from my sheltered childhood, I have always found ways of amusing myself and having a good time without the company of others.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last weekend I devoted my time running back and forth between the SEM on campus and my apartment. I was scheduled to use the equipment on Friday night midnight-3am, but unfortunately I was NOT GIVEN BUILDING ACCESS. So I showed up on campus like an idiot in the middle of the night (amidst many reported sexual assaults, HOLLA) and then had to come back on Saturday morning to try again. IT WAS LOCKED AGAIN. So I finally scheduled a time during the week and got card access. I now have BEAUTIFUL SEM images of my samples! They are awesome. And things turned out for the better later in the week…we had a meeting with another professor/lab about a collaboration using another imaging technique that is going to show up some REALLY COOL STUFF! I don’t get to see Dr. Barbie all that much because she is super important, but I LOVE HER and every time she is in the room something cool always goes down. REPPIN’ THE [CELL] HOOD.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This past weekend, I had to cram for my mass transfer exam. I was really worried about it, but somehow that wasn’t filtering through to my brain, and my study habits went down the drain until this morning at 7am. But I do think the “studying” (or at least trying to) over the weekend paid off; I walked out of the exam feeling pretty good about it. Definitely not easy, but I knew what techniques to use – after all, it WAS only one problem (shhhh…). And if I can manage to score average, I can pass the course, and that is all I really need. Last night (another thing not conducive to my studying), I hung out with some of my labmates. I LOVE MY LAB! Everyone is just great. And not to mention, the one guy cooks like a pro. He wants to be a medical doctor, but I know one day he is going to usurp Paula Deen (she’s getting old, let’s face it). I had the best ribs EVER. AND! I made my very first apple pie (or any pie, for that matter)! It turned out surprisingly great. I did spend A LOT of money on it ($30 just for ingredients, the apples for $10 because I had to buy granny smith and they were NOT on sale), but it turned out to be worth it. And I get to keep the leftover ingredients, so I have some groceries to last me a while (if you count eggs and sugar as staple foods, which I do). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRSZaEvz3NB8MU9z90q-bQDp8jemOvI7n6O57G1w_awh_gWa6ltZmKtD289k2pewUMqbVQ7Efrf-jWtTox97epRK7s7PRPIb2-FFgZRPoDMepygBOxOXu7OPX8K8w3g-0e7ISS26N-jk/s1600/DSC01621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRSZaEvz3NB8MU9z90q-bQDp8jemOvI7n6O57G1w_awh_gWa6ltZmKtD289k2pewUMqbVQ7Efrf-jWtTox97epRK7s7PRPIb2-FFgZRPoDMepygBOxOXu7OPX8K8w3g-0e7ISS26N-jk/s320/DSC01621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple pie before going in the oven. Everything is from scratch! The lattice crust didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped...I ran out of ingredients - oops! And yes, that is a panda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfJwiLCEE7ZT5Kd7NF3CkEwX0CXegZ6eCVAAzY5f8ItCCdUwvB03hw8fU5QLr2Npw254OQNAH04XZRKprySK3CHzB5T6t5xyd4Kmbkd0sladY9eIq8fDPZ9wtCToz56pCpmsJPBdxvqs/s1600/DSC01625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfJwiLCEE7ZT5Kd7NF3CkEwX0CXegZ6eCVAAzY5f8ItCCdUwvB03hw8fU5QLr2Npw254OQNAH04XZRKprySK3CHzB5T6t5xyd4Kmbkd0sladY9eIq8fDPZ9wtCToz56pCpmsJPBdxvqs/s320/DSC01625.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voila! A slice of apple pie a la mode. Complete with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel crumble and honey drizzle. I know it looks a little overwhelming...but it was DELICIOUS. This was my plate and probably the least aesthetically pleasing. But it still tastes great, I promise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Ah, so back to reading…Since I have been stuck at home all by my lonesome, I decided to order a few books to read. This also appealed better to conscience, because at least I’m buying books and not clothing…</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, I ordered “The Alchemyst”, the first book in “The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flammel” series. It was actually recommended by a professor with whom I had an interview a few weeks back. I am excited to read it, but alas it has not arrived yet. The second book I ordered is called “World 3.0”, which is about globalization. It is a new book so I am excited to start that. And the third book is called “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell. It was recommended by my lab manager. I started reading it this weekend and it is great! I kept having to put it down in order to (try to) study, but now that my exam is over (until my next one starts on Wednesday, but it is a take-home exam), I can try to finish it. It is about the “secret” behind successful people…which turns out not to be a secret at all! Mostly luck, drive and hard work, which is what most people will tell you. But it is written in the form of stories, which I am beginning to love. I think that life is a story, and stories are such a great way of learning information and understanding a personality. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My aunt has finally arrived in America after being on the immigration list in China for more than EIGHT YEARS! I wasn’t able to visit her because I had to study for my exam this weekend, but I might try to go to China over winter break. If that doesn’t work, she will be back in the States in March and I can try to see her over the weekend then. Graduate school is super stressful at times, and really boring at other times, and really exciting at other times! I suppose that is just life. So if my blog is ever published, it will be like “Outliers” but about a panda in graduate school, telling panda stories all the day long! It’s nothing you don’t know already, just told in a different (hopefully better!) way.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been obsessing about getting my navel pierced for two weeks now…it is getting pretty bad. I think I just wanted to do something badass, and of course smoking and drinking doesn’t occur to me. Instead, I chose self-mutilation in the form of a<a href="http://www.minkymonky.com/images/T/T-196.jpg"> PANDA PIERCING</a>! Okay, so I haven’t gotten it done yet. But in my defense, the place was closed the first time I went, and the guy wasn’t there the second time. So I have taken after my former roommate, Coral diver, and gone ahead and purchased a NAVEL PIERCING KIT! It hasn’t arrived yet, but when it does you can be sure I am going to freak out and not use it! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Alright you cheese curls (come to think of it, I am craving some cheese curls – HAVE YOU EVER HAD ANDY CAPP’S HOT FRIES!? THEY ARE AMAZ-O! Thanks to Big K for the introduction…it is on my list of favorite foods, including but not limited to: CRUNCHY Kroger brand Nutella [and regular Nutella brand Nutella], Snyder’s honey mustard and onion pretzel pieces, FROZEN GRAPES [I just tried them for the first time today and they are fantastic TO THE MAX!], and dried mango/sweet potato. Oh, and ice cream, filled cupcakes, Vortex burgers, oxtail soup, sour cream, whipped cream, cream cheese, anything with the word “cream” in it, CoolWhip…I DIGRESS [that was a lot of digressions within a digression – ANYWAY…]), I am going to go! Tonight I am having dinner with a friend from high school for HER BORFDAY (that was not a typo – the misspelling means nothing, I just like saying things weirdly)! But before I leave, I have another twenty minutes to get some reading done…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, another random fact (well, two, now that I come to think of it):</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>This morning, I dropped my toothbrush in the toilet (I know what you are going to ask, and the answer is NO! I threw it away, you fool!)</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Last week, I wore my underwear inside-out. TWICE.</div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">YES! Panda is making much progress in graduate school.</div></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-47698105874175552492011-09-26T21:54:00.001-04:002011-09-26T21:56:12.428-04:00Panda Publishes!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Hey cheese curls! It’s time to sit ‘round the holiday-scented tealights and hear about Panda’s progress in grad school! I know I haven’t updated in a while, and as I sat here waiting for some water to boil so I could pour it down the toilet bowl with dishwashing detergent in order to unclog it because I don’t have a plunger, I thought, “Why not update my blog!?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Indeed, it has been a hectic few weeks that have passed. The last time I updated was about Labor Day weekend, so let’s start chronologically after that. The second week in September, I went WHITEWATER RAFTING! In Tennessee, no less. It was a great time and because I have a lucky panda life, I was the first one to fall in the rapids when we began. I am normally not an outdoorsy panda, but I have to admit I had a great time. About 50 students went, and almost all of them shared a cabin that evening. Although I love people, too many people at the same time in the middle of Tennessee with a toilet down the street is not really to my taste. So instead, I returned to Atlanta for an evening of festivities at various nightclubs in midtown, not the least of which included a casual coastal knock-off bar called “Flip Flops”. As the Germans would say, “GUTEN!”, but NOT REALLY.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Toilet clog update: I’m not really sure what happened last night, but I have been standing over the toilet for the past 10 minutes, pouring hot water down the bowl. I can’t believe I waited 15 minutes for the water to boil, when I could have just turned on the hot water tap. The first time I poured in the hot water, the steamy, soapy suds arising from the citrus detergent wafted into my nose. Then I realized I was breathing in poop soup, so I threw up my mouth a little bit and then continued pouring hot water down while holding my breath. Anyway, it’s still clogged.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But on to the update:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">TOILET CLOG UPDATE: Okay, so after flushing another 10 times and not seeing any results and even breaking a plastic hanger but still too scared to stick it in the toilet, I finally went to CVS and broke down and bought a PLUNGER! When I got home, I barely plunged it twice and it was back to normal again! Yeesh. I guess you never appreciate things until you’ve been pouring hot water down your toilet.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So now it’s about an hour later. Any normal person around this hour would probably be relaxing, watching a little TV, maybe reading a little of the new issue of The Economist (yup, I got it! Great investment). UNFORTUNATELY, I am sitting alone in my apartment, drinking homemade iced tea that is lukewarm because I didn’t refrigerate it, working on homework but procrastinating and writing this blog instead, and thinking what it would be like to have my CELL PHONE BACK.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For alas, on the way to pick up The Boyf on Friday evening (along with his two friends, accompanied by Danto), my phone jiggled it’s jolly way out of my trendy jacket (it’s Kenneth Cole, OKERR) and right onto the MARTA subway’s train tracks. Even though I managed to salvage the battery, that is still one Nokia N97 that the world will never see again. Today I got a new SIM card from TMobile (free, surprisingly!) and am now deciding whether I should purchase a new cell phone through Craigslist, online, or through Tmobile/authorized dealer. I’m thinking Craigslist, but because I am a frugal panda, I have tried to bargain down EVERY offer, and unfortunately, no one seems to be very considerate about this issue. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lab work is going well. It’s a little slow, but that is good since my schedule is craz-o with four other classes and a seminar. I’ll have to admit I have been partying a good bit on the weekends, but soon it will be winter time and then I can’t not wear pants anymore, and you KNOW that the only reason I go out is to dress up like a ho panda. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dr. Titten is the visiting research scientist in our lab, who also happens to be an orthopaedic surgeon, who ALSO happens to live in my building and who ALSO happens to be Jewish and balding and super funny and AWESOME. Anyway, because he is my new best buddy, it makes me sad that THE BOYF HAS STOLEN HIM FROM ME! There is bromance, and then there is <a href="http://atlanta.gaycities.com/bars/59-bulldogs">BULLDOGS BROMANCE</a>. But don’t worry about me, I’m over it! I have a new best friend, and his name is MASS TRANSFER HOMEWORK. It ain’t no thang.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because I tend to talk a lot (loudly) and because most people are not accustomed to the mannerisms of a panda, I have been EVICTED from my desk in the lab! Instead, I now sit at a desk in the far back corner of the lab, where 80% of the other people around me are from a DIFFERENT lab! It is actually not so bad because I can just be loud by myself (these things happen) and that way I won’t bother anyone. But STILL, really!? We are not riding the bus in first grade anymore, although I do have to admit I loved getting the seat on top of the tire (only the back one) because you could use the bump as a footrest. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SO PANDA!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So in tribute to the fantastic people that I now have to leave because I sit at my own island in the lab (they might as well have put a Dunce cap on me), I made a fantastic video entitled…DORIS! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">ENJOY! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz96He8BfdpG_3kSEwzWOmjps7akwjp4vsH8ls3Z5NUQRyAk-q2dlTP2NJKgZaJtVgxbBTS3Jsp1uP2hgKrLQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">OH EM GEE! And the most important thing that I almost forgot to say!...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I HAVE MY FIRST PUBLICATION!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Take THAT, NSF! And also the powers-that-be that moved me from my desk! I’m third author but it is in BIOMATERIALS! THE COOLEST JOURNAL EVER! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE7aTJWndgepDSsyOhvjf6D4o7rICvk4FlNfAoMKG9_OiB6-w80uprx6uPMn9BqNLt4reu19BXArNz_qjta9n_hy_U1sOXe46QgmgpbPxjcRZxN54LloqiigIALJQImmD__JwLUDy8aQ/s1600/2011+September+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE7aTJWndgepDSsyOhvjf6D4o7rICvk4FlNfAoMKG9_OiB6-w80uprx6uPMn9BqNLt4reu19BXArNz_qjta9n_hy_U1sOXe46QgmgpbPxjcRZxN54LloqiigIALJQImmD__JwLUDy8aQ/s320/2011+September+26.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biomaterials is the coolest journal ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We are making final edits before it is available in print, but for now I will leave you with this newly published paper by Doctor Professor, whom I LOVE and can finally reveal his identity because we are best science buddies and IN A PAPER TOGETHER! This is entitled <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961211006375">“The Goldilocks Surface”</a> because he is a genius and can come up with cool theories and because he also used to own LLAMAS! But when my paper comes out, I will be sure to share it here as well. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enjoy again! I’m going to celebrate with another glass of lukewarm sweet tea!</div></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-5790893081609748922011-09-06T20:42:00.000-04:002011-09-06T20:42:55.103-04:00Panda Goes On Vacation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><!--[if !mso]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">CHEESE CURLS AND SUNSHINE! Such was this past Labor Day weekend. Thank goodness for Labor Day, because I can break out all my white clothing and become the fashion faux pas of the autumn season. SO FANTASTIC!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To celebrate, I went out with my awesome labmates to Daytona Beach, FLORIDA! This was my first time to Florida, and I was definitely kind of disappointed. I don’t know what I was expecting, but Daytona Beach turned out to be a small town redneck feel. If you live in Daytona, I don’t mean to offend you. But the whole town seemed dead, and it was Labor Day weekend! There weren’t even OLD people around. You KNOW it’s bad when you can’t find old people in FLORIDA. It wasn’t like people had many other options. Originally we planned on going to New Orleans, but apparently it was in a state of emergency due to the tropical storm in the Gulf. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, we ended up on the beautiful beaches of Daytona. We stayed right on the boardwalk, in the HILTON! It was surprisingly affordable, most likely because the town was deserted except for the six of us. We rented a car and drove the SEVEN hours from Atlanta (no surprise that the two guys got the front seats). I know I’m complaining about the beach, but it was actually beautiful there. We spent all day on the shore and the water was so salty! We tanned and even rented a body board (even though the boys monopolized it, fail). At night, we had dinner at the Oyster Pub and then went bar hopping along the ONE street in Daytona. Actually, I ended up talking to a group of girls that turned out to be really cool. We hung out with them for a little bit, mostly because one of the guys from the lab is obsessed with blonde girls and I had to play awkward third wheel for a minute. All in all, I still had a great time. We bought wine and beer and drank it on the beach at night, and avoided the patrol car driving past.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnYgNExqaFqhw_Mv4hKVUwjNucy9O7-YTXbwIESR2EyPdrJ9BPQ5ZpyBCJ4f8UBt4ykuItetrahZTWWy2saHgoheetdgkI-ysnAASrQqWm6Lqm-UTUByJZWFg6G2ZUtlnsg_ei7S-ASk/s1600/DSC01434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnYgNExqaFqhw_Mv4hKVUwjNucy9O7-YTXbwIESR2EyPdrJ9BPQ5ZpyBCJ4f8UBt4ykuItetrahZTWWy2saHgoheetdgkI-ysnAASrQqWm6Lqm-UTUByJZWFg6G2ZUtlnsg_ei7S-ASk/s320/DSC01434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Daytona Beach from the back of our hotel, right on the boardwalk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">The next day, we went crabbing. BAD IDEA. This, of course, is what happens when you have two men in your group who feel like doing outdoorsy things to accentuate their manliness. What was supposed to be fishing and crabbing ended up being lowering a net into the a creek, no crabs, and almost dying in a rented canoe because we got lost and tired of paddling for two hours straight. In other words,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“We are PhD students! We only know how to paddle! KEEP PADDLING!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And forgot to stop and enjoy the view.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was later termed the “PLACE OF DANGER”, after listening to a song on The Game CD that was found in our rental car. The sweetest, most innocent exchange student from Peking University was soon corrupted and singing, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_1C8xJV6tY">“Gangsta Boogie”</a> nonstop. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We arrived in Florida late Friday night, and left on Saturday evening. We had dinner in Jacksonville (NOT at Hooters, despite desperate pleas from the boys), and returned to Atlanta early Sunday morning, but not without stopping at Krispy Kreme (PANDA LOVES TO EAT). </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am now home and cramming to finish my homework for tomorrow! The past week has been pretty low key. I am still getting my training in for microscopes and such. I still have to interview faculty in the department, and so far I have 3 of 4 signatures on my sheet. Mass transfer is starting to f me in the b and I am not enjoying it very much. </div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t remember the last time that I posted, but Big K left last Tuesday and now I am alone in my apartment. Alas, I do not have a tendency to walk around naked. HOWEVER, I do sometimes pick my nose in front of the window. So maybe instead of boobs you’ll <a href="http://www.nakedniche.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Picking-Nose.jpg">just see boogers</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This Saturday is the whitewater rafting trip with the graduate students! Oh, and before I forget…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I GOT PAID!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NSF has not forgotten about me after all. But after paying off all my expenses from August, I only have $400 left to last me the rest of the month in September. Good thing I blew $200 on the trip to Daytona and another $300 on clothing and a guitar while I was online shopping last night. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As you can see, I am making all the right decisions in graduate school!</div></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1745916695771846889.post-43817225921685119352011-08-23T22:51:00.001-04:002011-08-23T22:57:04.472-04:00Panda Enters the [Cell] Hood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First off, I AM SORRY! I know these past few days have been jam packed with new and exciting things in my life as a graduate student, but I keep putting off updating. But here I am now, ready to divulge all details of my official life as a PhD student.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So where to start? Last Monday I started my first day in the lab of Dr. Barbie. I have come to like her more and more, especially when compared to the co-advisor of the lab, Dr. Zebra. Dr. Zebra is an international traveler and flies to and from our lab in monthly-ish rotations. He is in charge of approving our experiments and laying down the law and cracking the whip on lazy grad students. Dr. Barbie is the diva and has her personal golf cart with plastic door flaps that she drives around campus. They are both so different and I love it when they argue. It would be the best reality show.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I haven’t done anything with the grad students outside of the birthday outing I talked about in my last post, two weeks earlier. It is kind of weird because no one seems to recognize anyone else when they are in lab, but apparently everyone hangs out on the weekends together or something. I have no idea. Although I am getting multiple offers to go grocery shopping from people in the lab, so at least I won’t be hungry. Last weekend the biosciences grad club had a party (the pirate one that I talked about earlier), but The Boyf were so exhausted from walking around all day that we fell asleep before we had a chance to put on any eye patches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I met with Dr. Zebra last Tuesday, who basically told me nothing about my project but led me on a wild goose chase around the lab trying to find out what it is. Luckily, the chase wasn’t too hard, although at some point I did get entangled in prosthetic penis research (I SWEAR it came up in a search). Anyway, I am working with a 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> year PhD student, which is nice but also super intimidating, but not really because he is pretty cool and plus it is better than Dr. Zebra beating me like an Amish horse. My project deals with surfaces and its effects on stem cells. It is pretty neat and really similar to what I proposed for my NSF project. But for now, I am stuck at my desk (which is starting to look pretty homely, thanks to a free whiteboard and an excess of mugs) until I complete all the safety training necessary for me to use the lab equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Boyf arrived last Tuesday night and stayed until Sunday. We had a fun time eating at different restaurants, which is basically the meaning of my existence. I had a great burger at </span><a href="http://www.thevortexbarandgrill.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">The Vortex</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, so many free samples at </span><a href="http://www.marymacs.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Mary Mac’s</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, a mediocre country fried plate at </span><a href="http://www.gladysandron.net/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Chicken and Waffles</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, and even sampled </span><a href="http://www.chocovine.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">chocolate wine</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">! We also visited the </span><a href="http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">world’s largest aquarium</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, of which I am now a member (although I was kind of disappointed – I guess we will just go to the </span><a href="http://www.worldofcoca-cola.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Coca Cola factory</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> next time, and you KNOW I’m getting a membership there too). We went to church across the street from my apartment on Sunday. Oh, and The Boyf’s friend Danto works in Atlanta, so we all went to </span><a href="http://www.sweetwaterbrew.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Sweetwater Brewing Company</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> for a great/cheap beer tasting. I was designated driver – SO PANDA.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m kind of upset that I NEVER go out dancing with The Boyf. I think we have been twice before, but it was like three years ago and he didn’t even dance. I don’t know why he hates it so much. I even sent him a Youtube video of “how to dance in a club for white guys” (or something along those lines), but only offended him (who’d have thought?). I am considering finding a gay boyfriend just so that we can go out together and fake grind on each other. If you are interested, please reply to the ad below:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WANTED: Faux Boyfriend for Panda Cheng<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Qualification 1) Must look like Jude Law<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Qualification 2) Must be homosexual<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please email </span><a href="mailto:alicethepanda@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">alicethepanda@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> with “Gay Jude Law” in the subject so I know you are not the real Jude Law. If you are the real Jude Law, you can bypass the email and just show up at my apartment instead. I’ll let The Boyf know “something came up”. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have finally put my new Beats by Dr. Dre studio headphones to use! Today I decided to boil water for tea, and while I was waiting, listened to some crazy music on the headphones. Unfortunately, I loved it so much that an hour later, I was nodding my head to the burnt smell of my nonexistent tea…To compensate, I had a bowl of white chocolate-raspberry-chocolate chip frozen yogurt instead, with life cereal, almond milk and nutella on top. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I’m back to listening to music again! I love these headphones. Oh, and speaking of music, Adele is performing in concert in October, right next door to my apartment building! Tickets are only $75 but have been sold out for a while, so I can only find them on Stubhub. I don’t know if I want to go by myself or coerce someone to go with me who doesn’t want to go…I might just go myself if I find anyone. Everyone in Atlanta is so friendly anyway that I’ll probably find a best friend before the chorus of “Rolling in the Deep” starts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tomorrow is my first day of class at Emory! It is weird that Georgia Tech and Emory are on different schedules, so even though it is super cool that GT has “fall break”, I technically don’t get a break because I still have an 8am class that day at Emory. And I’ll probably be in lab anyway since I have already become enslaved to Dr. Barbie and Dr. Zebra. PANDA WANTS TO ROAM FREE! Oh, and on a totally separate but quite related note</span><a href="http://www.ustrading.com/img/products/xl/14028.jpg"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">, I ate bamboo</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> tonight!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110118194528AAl3CGU"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Deuces.</span></a><o:p></o:p></div></div>Alice Inwonderlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06778948815190075248noreply@blogger.com0