Riverside Reunion
Tonight I have a riverside (Allegheny River) reunion with the Riverside (California) clan. I'm really looking forward to it...haven't seen the Riverside folks (save Grace, Jason, and their little family) since graduation!
The annual Soil Science society of America national meetings are in Pittsburgh this year, with the theme being sustainability. Pittsburgh was chosen as the site specifically for that reason.
Labels: California, Pittsburgh, Point, research, reunion, soils
Jazz Combo with Tania & Jeff Grubbs
Tonight after dinner Rachel and I went to Squirrel Hill to have some snacks and turtle cheesecake, and to listen to the jazz combo with Tania & Jeff Grubbs and company. We chatted about research journeys and other interesting topics.
Labels: citizenship, dining, music, research, travel
Experiments and Lunch
I stopped in for two human-subject experiments (the second one with Wawa), and afterward Wa and I used our earnings to pay for our lunch out at the Pan-Asian restaurant in my neighborhood.
Yum.O.
We talked about Wa's two children, and how fun-loving and loving they are.
Labels: computer, dining, family, niece and nephew, research
Recipes
William called yesterday offering to email me a hypertext link to a site with trial software for recipe writing/recording. I haven't received the email yet, but I've started writing ingredients and approximate amounts of ingredients, as well as process for the recipes for today's meals. They have included:
baked beans (w/ rice, w/ hot dogs on the side) and with pineapple
Mom's steak (w/ sauteed onion and mushroom, w/ rice) and with pineapple
Labels: dine, family, research, writing
Sunny Sunday Afternoon
I'm typing while listening to a Tchaikovsky piece on the radio from Balanchine's Jewels ("String Serenade" Serenade for strings [or piano, 4 hands] in C major, Op. 48). The late afternoon summer sun is streaming into the west-facing window. After a three-hour-long nap, this typing with a slight delay in appearance on the computer screen is fine---a slow, sleepy end-of-day.
Chatting with Christoph about his research is enlightening and makes me realize how common across the sciences and health sciences research issues are.
~~~
Dinner follows, and a sit in front of Mom & Dad's television set...a movie with Debra Messing and the beginning of Titanic...a check of my email, with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra playing "Pictures at an Exhibition" by Mussorgsky as orchestrated by Ravel, conducted by Leonard Slatkin.
Labels: blogs, Choir, dance, friends, music, phone, PSO, Ravel, research, Tchaikovsky, TV, writing
Wellesley Alumnae Event, Fall 2008
After work Nancy C. and I went to Vic's restaurant for dinner. I had the chicken biriyani, Nancy had the vegetable chick pea balls in yogurt sauce. Afterwards, I went to Mom and Dad's to change out of my photosynthesis week work clothes and to pick up my copy of Kim Dozier's book and a camera.
Kim Dozier was back in Pittsburgh to deliver a lecture entitled "Breathing the Fire: Fighting to Report---and Survive---the War in Iraq." The talk was sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and I received my invitation through the Pittsburgh Wellesley Club. Nancy and I sat a row in front of Michelle L, with whom we chatted before the talk. Kim was introduced by Cindy Skrzycki of the University of Pittsburgh and of Bloomberg News. Kim's talk was more lively and less formal in tone and delivery than her acceptance speech and talk just a year ago at Carlow University. Tonight she read rarely from a reporter's stenographer-type spiral notebook during her talk, delivering it largely from memory. She spoke about how she was fortunate not to have suffered post traumatic stress disorder. Kim claimed to find her interview by Katie Couric to be difficult [from the other side of the microphone], but showed aplomb during the question-and-answer session after her lecture. During the question-and-answer session, Nancy asked her if the book's title had any more meaning for her beyond the war in Iraq.
It was a joy to meet Kim after the lecture, when I chided her for not attending reunion, and Nancy took a couple photos of us before she signed my copy of her book. Nancy and I enjoyed cookies, punch, and decaf afterwards, I brought Kim a drink of punch, and I had a chance to meet with Abby Mc from the University Honors College, another alumna. Nancy and I enjoyed the artwork reproductions in this Italian villa-style campus building.
Nancy and I walked back to our parking spot at Carnegie Mellon University, and enjoyed the walk with the steam rising from the fountain in front of the Frick Fine Arts building, as well as the steam from the steam plant behind the Carnegie Library complex. The frosty/icy bridge caused us to shuffle in small steps, and we enjoyed the cold night air on the way to her car.
Labels: art, career, Choir, dining, Faith, friends, photos, Pittsburgh, research, reunion, stars, TV, walking, water, Wellesley, work
First Day of School, Fall 2008
Today I awoke at about 5am and did some last minute prepping. I fell back to sleep and my dad called me to awaken ~7am. I had breakfast and headed to work to set up lab in G9 at about 7:50am.
About halfway through the class, I was informed that I would be teaching at Monday afternoon from now on, instead of Monday morning. The rest of my 4-section schedule would stay the same (, after several changes).
Whew! After teaching two sections back-to-back, I am physically tired...and no physical therapy today.
I printed up some documents from Rebecca, the librarian in health sciences, who is helping me with some searches. I'll be heading home soon....
~~~~~
My boss, C., had called before I had arrived at home...another change, involving teaching on Thursday afternoons. My schedule shifted once again (to accomodate medical appointments), and only one original section remained from my three original sections. Much jockeying for position. Ah, well.
Labels: BAD, biology, encyclopedia, exercise, research, sleep, teaching, water exercise, work
Queenship of the BVM, Dinner at William and Marissa's Home
Yesterday morning at Mass we celebrated the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, with John serving, Bob K. lectoring, and Don providing the music ministry. Elaine, Mary Lou P., and I particularly enjoyed the homily, which stressed the scripture reading and Mary's openness to God's will for her.
~~~~~
We had a delicious dinner of curry veggie pancakes, salmon cakes, crescent rolls with veggie filling, whole steamed carrots, rice, juices, and more for dinner at William and Marissa's home. Mom, Dad, and I noted how much taller Beatrice and Solomon look. Beatrice "read" a few books to us. Quite the talented little girl. She, her brother, and mommy are preparing to visit the Illinois relatives, including Will and Grampy Bill.
~~~~~~~
I had spent part of the morning and afternoon working on the latest version of the encyclopedia article. Late morning, one of my editors called me with regards to the organization and particulars of the article. Yesterday afternoon, I was in contact with an especially helpful librarian at the health sciences library system on campus about searches.
Labels: Church, dining, encyclopedia, family, family-Marissa, library, Mass, neighbors, organizing, research, school, St. Paul Cathedral, travel, writing
Time with Solomon
For the late morning and early afternoon today, Solomon spent time with Lola and me. We sang songs, and played games, and watched him roll over and get in prime crawling position. We fed him one+ bottles and he slept for about an hour. Marissa and Beatrice returned from the Pittsburgh Children's Museum at about 2:30 pm and we enjoyed a short time with them before Dad and I departed for our afternoon pursuits, mine at UPMC and Dad's at the library.
Labels: health, library, niece and nephew, research, science, work
A Group Meeting
This afternoon I attended a research group meeting at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. We discussed a research article in Molecular Psychiatry that discussed human blood genetic biomarkers related to mood. This led to a general discussion of mental health research.
Labels: accessibility, health, research, science, Wellesley, work
Last Lectures
I just read the obituary of Randy Pausch, the Carnegie Mellon professor who succumbed to pancreatic cancer. My friend linked his "Last Lecture" to a blog, and I pondered the case of another friend with pancreatic cancer who has, to this day, gone into remission to survive the odds.
Pancreatic cancer, until recently, has been a swift sword for the end. In recent times, more are surviving for longer periods of time.
It brings to mind the first discussion of my outpatient intake nurse and physical therapist and I the week I was discharged from the hospital after my operation. We discussed Amy Knapp's passing, listed in that day's Post-Gazette obituaries. Margie stated that she was "so young, in her early forties." She, too, died of cancer. She was the School of Information Sciences professor who taught government documents.
You never know when your day [to go] will be..."It's always best to have your affairs in order," as one of my friends always says.
Labels: farewell, friends, research, school, teaching
Physical Therapy--Intern
Today at physical therapy there was an intern. Also, we added a gluteal "clamshell"/Jane Fonda exercise, which I do lying on my side. There was, of course, the POOOOOL exercises, which I explained to the intern (,who was a former ballet performing arts student,) were mainly modified ballet exercises: plie/releve, front-side-back rond de jambe en l'air-type exercises, all without turnout.
Mom, Dad and I went to Subway for lunch, and shared two foot-long subs: Tuna and seafood. MMM good meal!
We dropped Mom off at home, then I progressed to Hillman library to return some books and to work at the computer lab for my encyclopedia article; Dad visited the main branch of the Carnegie Library. I forwarded a late version of my article and reference list to Marissa, updated it, then printed out several copies. I delivered one printed set to Marissa via William at his work...he was kind enough to meet us behind the main Carnegie Mellon University library, where he also inspected the results of Dad's run-in with a parking meter. I called Marissa to insist that she read for "flow" of the article, vs. referencing citations. We will see them Friday night for dinner.
Mom, Dad, and I briefly vacuumed and rearranged furniture in my living room this afternoon.
Today is Unka Sahnee's birthday; so Mom, Dad, and I plan to call him soon to sing him a "Happy Birthday"!
Labels: BAD, Birthday, Carnegie, cleaning, dance, dining, exercise, family, health, library, organizing, pool, read, research, surgery, transportation, water exercise
Hair Cut, July 2008
Mom and I have hair appointments with Mary Jane today to get our hair cut. I am excited, it has been a while since I last visited her. My hair has got considerably longer, and right after I left the hospital fell out in small clumps as I brushed or washed it...probably the stress of it all.
It doesn't fall out at such a high rate now, but this week Dad made a comment reminiscent of Kathe', the lab manager from graduate school: She'd be sweeping the lab floor and noting that she saw a LOT of my hair on the floor (I was the only brunette in the group; all the rest of the lab clan were blondes). We came to the conclusion that I was under a lot of stress and losing my hair...
I just hope that this is not the beginning of my hair really going white. :n(
We all look forward to our trips to Mary Jane's salon. Phyllis recommended her to us, and still visits her in her old neighborhood. Marissa has also gone to her, and blogged on the event.
Labels: excited, family, hair, health, research, soils, stress, surgery
My Fitful Sleep
Am I doing too much? Am I reading too much? Working on too many projects? I always had the difficulty of not knowing how to relax properly in my downtime, always taking on projects then. I did confess this year to Marissa's dad that when I meditate I think of "nothing," which may be telling of my li'l brain. Still, I have multiple projects to tend to, filling my days and nights.
...Leading to my fitful sleep last night. Reading several books at once: My Sister's Keeper, Eat Pray Love, books on reducing clutter, and writing the encyclopedia article. I need to keep telling myself that sleep for me is paramount, more important than any project with a deadline two weeks away or a library book with a due date three weeks away. There is time---what is the hurry?
Karina and I were telling Christina last night that "there is no hurry; there is no rush." If we can be so calm in that portion of our lives, then why do I feel so driven, so masipag, in my academic portion of my life? Does this echo back to my college days when we estimated 400-700 average pages read per night by a Wellesley student?
Or does my healing hip play a role in all of this---my jockeying for a comfortable position to sleep in---first on my side, with a pillow "spacer" between my legs, then on my back, with a pillow supporting my operated leg. The Benadryl never seemed to kick in last night...a pack of cookies and milk finally did the trick.
I took a number of catnaps yesterday, which expanded to fill my afternoon until I woke and went to Faith Sharing at the Newman Center. Maybe I overslept yesterday afternoon; maybe I overdid it.
Whatever the cause, I didn't get much sleep last night and vow to make up for it today. This typing doesn't help, but may put me in a frame of mind to be other than somnambulant---doing my walkabout at night, while my eyes are half-asleep, little slits that peer out into the half-lit apartment.
Labels: BAD, blogs, encyclopedia, excited, Faith, family-Marissa, health, home, love, meditate, organizing, pain, philosophical, read, research, sleep, surgery, Wellesley, work, writing
Bob's Geology Article, 2008
My environmental sciences graduate advisor, Bob Graham, and his colleagues in the Soil Science department at the University of California at Riverside have authored an article on nitrate concentration in desert pavement-laden surficial soils for Geology this spring. This is a previously unrecognized pool of desert nitrogen. This concentration of nitrate is fine, as long as its uppermost surface soil (desert pavement) remains intact. If that pavement is disturbed through road construction, off-the-road vehicle use, or military training; then water can infiltrate to the nitrate-rich layers and mobilize the nitrate, perhaps into even groundwater. Other, distant, nitrogen-limited ecosystems may also be impacted.
Labels: California, research, school, science, soils
They will find you!
This week, I received a general survey from the National Academies in Washington, DC. I have not had any contact with them for at least a dozen years---just goes to show that "They will find you" and that our country hasn't totally forgotten about the advisory body of scientists, engineers, and physicians available for the political decision-making body.
I was gently critical of the fact that my pre-doc fellowship did not preclude a new grad student from a heavy load of teaching, research, and classes. I even had a 2X teaching load! In addition, the work was also rather theoretical, and I transferred to a more applied, interdisciplinary field and campus.
I was generally thankful for the opportunities the fellowship opened up to me: I have also attained my goal to teach at a 4-year research institution; and I happily mentor students into summer research, PharmD, and (chemistry) PhD programs.
Labels: dreams, research, school, science, thankfulness
my BAD hips
I have cBAD (congenital bilateral acetabular dysplasia). That means I have bad hips from birth. No clue of this status for me until ~4-5 years ago....
I started having pain after a few-month hiatus from swing dancing (Big Band music). My then-boss used to write emails to her friends making fun of my use of assistive devices. I am glad that I don't work with her anymore. I quit dancing on a regular basis about that time. Until then, I had danced 3-4 evenings per week---Irish ceili/set dancing, ballroom dance, swing (big band) dance, and sometimes Latin/mixed ballroom/swing dance. Boy, I really enjoyed my dance.
I am really excited about having my procedure done...total hip replacement. My medical team insists that I will be able to do basically "anything [within reason]" after my surgery. I guess that means getting back to dancing, swimming, maybe [stationary] biking, but I guess I won't be able to play the violin [snif].
I am currently held together by "string, tape, muscles, and God." What I have done in my life up to this point is pretty amazing---scratch that, miraculous---considering my bone structure, or lack thereof: Ballet to pointe (I was accepted to a ballet school for a large-city Ballet Theater), gymnastics, I lettered on the track team in high school (100m hurdles and 400m dash), modern dance and choreography in college (with my good friend, Liz, through MIT Dance Theatre), rockclimbing in college and beyond, hiking for recreation and work (our little research group of American and Mexican scientists were self-entertaining when we were lost!), and the dance styles I took up in Pittsburgh, mentioned above.
~~~
I am truly thankful that my parents did not inform me of my bone structure until I started to have pain when I reached "a certain age": That they did not limit my activity as a child. "Hey, she can walk---let her be, have a normal childhood."
I am thankful for a good orthopedist: Who understood my need to try to strengthen what was already in place with physical therapy.
I am thankful for a good PT team that has held me together with a little more muscle for good measure.
I am thankful for my PCP and treatment team which have been part of my greater support network.
I am thankful that I have one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the region doing this procedure for me.
I am thankful for everyone who has gone before me in this procedure: Gene, Joyce's father-in-law; Tom, Jen's dad; Dr. Linda, who gave helpful advice...and especially for Gene's helpful hints to me during our visit to California.
And finally, I am thankful that I have a problem that can be easily solved by the miracles of modern science, technology, and medicine. I am truly fortunate.
Labels: BAD, Carnegie, dance, excited, exercise, family, international culture, Ireland, research, soils, surgery
Preoperative "questions, questions"
I am fighting off a cold.
But it was time for my preoperative question (Q&A) session at the surgeon's office. His MD assistant greeted me first, and answered most of my questions. I don't think he caught my joke, though, when I said, "What if I have shallow [acetabulums] like the person on the screen," as I motioned to the film up on the computer screen. (The screen held an X ray image of my hips, with a non-existent acetabulum on the right and a very poor excuse for one on the left.)
The surgeon, Dr. L., walked in and I asked some last-minute questions of him. The bus ride home went by without a hitch, and I happily took a nap to rest my tendons, muscles, and bones. (I lost my voter pin somewhere in my travels today).
Labels: BAD, research, surgery
Famous Women Feminists
I took a "famous women feminists" quiz earlier today, and I scored a perfect score on it! Hey, I'm proud to know my feminist history! I am thankful for the strides these women have made for all people.
Labels: excited, honor, read, research, thankfulness
The Real Reasons III
I just read Carissa's mid-February blog post, entitled "Will You Marry You?" I think her point is well-made, asking questions such as "Would you hire you?" and "Will you marry you?"
I think a big reason I have not "settled" down yet is I am
too independent
too independent
too independent-minded (long story)
and
AM I ready for a metamorphosis into another life?
Thoughts on being ready to metamorphose: In the past I have never shied away from choosing the path less taken--in fact, that is a big reason why I never married, why I chose my second go at graduate school back in the 1990's on a project of my own devising, and why I live in Pittsburgh currently. I LIKE the challenge of the "path less taken," and to quote Frost, "it HAS made all the difference"!
I guess part of it is my attitude toward new projects in general--"I'm going to do this project, and you're welcome to come along; but if you don't, I'm STILL going to do this project on my own." I guess I've just been lucky to share my projects with my close friends and family. Some people have a partner/spouse they share their travels through life. I haven't chosen that path.
~~~
9pm
Nancy and I discuss someone, who may have a very different political leaning than I. I don't think I could pull that off.
Labels: color, family, friends, list, love, NASA, philosophical, research, science, teaching, travel, work
