A more comprehensive update

[tarigwaemir]

Haste Street on the Feast of St. Finbar

Back from kendo practice. Exhausted because I am out of shape, and hungry because I am too lazy to get out of my chair and eat something. -_- (Although the hunger may win out over the laziness soon.)

Spent a lot of time doing men strikes really slowly in practice today, in an attempt to fix my footwork. People warned me that I might get yelled at harshly, but actually it was pretty mild. I mean, I did get yelled at when I got tired and stopped trying, but I could understand that (hey, I would be yelling at myself). But I also got told that I didn't need to worry if I couldn't fix it right away but I should keep working on doing fumikomi slowly until I get it right.

It's interesting being in a dojo that's not strictly university-affiliated; although most of the people practicing there are students, there are also young kids (couldn't have been older than middle schoolers) as well as much older yudansha and sensei. I did jigeiko with one of the kids today, and he kept yelling at me, "Don't just wait there, come at me!" Haha.

I'm still very much out of shape, and I keep reaching that point where I lose all proper form, which is embarrassing. Apparently though, my shinai is too heavy for me and unbalanced, which I would like to think explains part of my exhaustion. (Well, the main reason is lack of stamina, but permit me my illusions, for the moment.) The handle is too thick as well, which I think is why my shinai keeps slipping in my hands. ::sighs:: Will two practices a week really be enough to whip me back into shape? I don't know...I get the sense I should be exercising in addition to practice, but to be honest, as much as I love kendo, I would really like to stop feeling obliged to constantly train for it. Kendo might be fun, but running, weight-training, push-ups, sit-ups, etc. are most definitely not. (Not that I did all of those regularly in college either. >_>)

In other news, I got my imaginarybeasts story in! It of the hasty ending! Well, at least it's, uh, more of a finished story than my blind_go submission?

I also started my NSF fellowship application today. ::sighs:: Here we go again. According to my evaluations from last time, I mostly failed to sufficiently address the Broader Merit criteria (despite having been advised about that multiple times from multiple sources), so I need to edit my personal statement to talk about How My Research and Career Plans Will Help Society. I think I'm also going to write a new research proposal based on my rotation project because (1) I'm really excited about my rotation project and (2) I can probably write a better one.

I'm really enjoying working with yeast! It's an "easier" model organism in some ways because its genome is well-annotated, and there are so many resources--libraries, strain collections, databases--available for it, but it has its finicky points too. It's kind of fascinating discovering all the conditions that can affect the growth of my cultures or cause them to mutate, even though I'm making mistakes along the way. I'm still learning my way around the lab although I've gotten used to it enough that I can conduct experiments now without asking questions at every step. A good thing too because unlike before, I'm working pretty much independently: my rotation advisor is of course guiding me through the experiment planning process, but I'm doing almost everything on my own. It's exciting but also a little terrifying.

What's nice is that we've been learning about yeast genetics in Advanced Genetics, Genomics and Development, and some of the topics we've studied are proving to be immediately useful. Although it's probably not a good sign that I didn't do as well as I would have liked on the first quiz. >_> Guess who needs to invest some extra time in doing the take-home final exam.

Oh, the funny science stories I meant to share:

We read the Meselson & Stahl paper (for the class that I ended up dropping, but that's neither here nor there), which describes the famous experiment that confirmed the semi-conservative model of DNA replication. According to Prof. Rine, it is the only perfect paper. I'm not sure why he says that, but the experiment does stand as a scientific ideal: a simple but clever way to elegantly prove a model. Anyway, we also read a retrospective where Meselson and Stahl were reminiscing about how they came to do the experiment, and apparently, Max Delbrück drove them to this beach town, locked them into a room on the top floor (where they presumably had a fabulous view), and didn't let them out until they finished the paper.

You know, I've heard many things about Max Delbrück, and everything I've heard convinces me that the man was crazy. A genius but completely off his rocker. Prof. Linn did his undergraduate at Caltech, where Delbrück was teaching, and the whole department apparently went on this camping trip into the middle of the desert. They decided to stop a while, and Delbrück took advantage of the break to take off his shirt and untape the petri dishes from under his arms. He then proceeded to examine them and discuss his experiment with his flabbergasted students while they were out in the middle of nowhere on a camping trip. At this point, while Prof. Linn was relating the story, a student asked, "Couldn't he have used a backpack?" And Prof. Linn gravely replied, "Well, if they were under his arms, he could make sure that he was maintaining them at a steady temperature of 37° C."

So...is the moral of the story that when you can't find a warm room for your cultures, use your armpits? @_@

But back to Meselson and Stahl. What's kind of admirable about Delbrück's efforts to get their paper published--even if his method was, I repeat, utterly crazy--was that he had actually championed an alternative model of replication (where DNA gets replicated in fragments...I forget the official name, was it called the piecewise model?), but even though his model had just been disproved by his students, he still pushed them to write the paper and made sure it got published. Now that's scientific integrity. That's also the kind of mentor one hopes to have in grad school.

We also learned that a third scientist had helped Meselson and Stahl develop the technique for centrifuging DNA in cesium chloride density gradients, but because he worked in industry (which was considered selling out and not genuine science back in those days), he pretty much became forgotten and unmentioned in biology textbooks. His daughter apparently is a famous figure on Berkeley streets and is known as the "Bubble Lady". Not being well versed in Berkeley mythology as of yet, I have no idea who this woman is or why she's called the "Bubble Lady", but apparently you can see her if you walk down Telegraph. Anyway, now you know that she is the daughter of a scientist who was involved in one of the most famous biology experiments of all time, although his contribution was sadly unnoticed by most of the community.

Meselson teaches at Harvard by the way, and although I was unable to take his seminar on genetics (alas!), I did see him once during one of the summer intern poster sessions. schwimmerin probably has a lot more funny stories to tell about him though.

I went to UCSF the other day with my rotation advisor to meet with a professor whom she offhandedly refers to as the guru of the unfolded protein response pathway. What's kind of neat is that my undergraduate academic advisor worked in his lab when she was in grad school, and coincidentally enough, some of the first scientific papers I've ever read were from his lab. (You would think that I would thus have a better grasp of the unfolded protein response itself, but sadly I don't.) What kind of freaked me out though was that as the meeting ended, he asked after my undergraduate thesis advisor (not to be confused with my academic advisor). How did he know I worked in her lab? I mean, I'm not surprised that he knows her, because after all, they are both German, and while HSP90 is found in the cytoplasm, it still is a molecular chaperone after all and deals with unfolded proteins, so their fields of interest are not quite nonoverlapping. But...but...how did he know I worked in her lab? I'm hoping there's a simple explanation--e.g. my rotation advisor might have offhandedly mentioned it, although as far as I know, she scheduled the meeting before I even received my rotation assignment--and not something like, he read my application to UCSF. (Because that would be really awkward.)

Anyway, I'm enjoying research and even getting to like Berkeley. Carrying an iPod around has made walking back and forth from lab less boring, and I'm starting to love the campus again, now that I've gotten to know my way around well enough that I'm not frantically rushing to get to places on time after taking the wrong route. ^_^ I still think Berkeley has the prettiest campus I've ever seen. (I would think it more often if I didn't have such an uphill walk every morning.)

This weekend is the Genetics, Genomics and Development divisional retreat. We're going to Lake Tahoe, which is three hours away on the map, but I've been assured that it takes much longer to get there, especially on a Friday afternoon.

I made the mistake of informing my parents about it, and they have both been ridiculously overreacting.

Mother: Are you sure it takes five hours to get there?
Me: Well, that's what I've been told by people who would know better than me.
Father: I would prefer that you do not ride in a car with a driver near your own age. Traveling for such a long distance with a young driver is risky!
Me: But how do you expect me to get there?
Father: Take the bus or train!
Me: Are you kidding me? No. You're being irrational.
Father: There must be a way to get there by bus.
Me: This is California: the land of the automobile! Even if there was a bus, I'd probably have no way of getting to the conference center from the bus station!
Mother: But it's a matter of your life at stake! Why did you move so far away to a place where you can't take the bus anywhere?

And on and on. The next day...

Mother: Did you know that it's below freezing and snows all-year round in Tahoe? You have to pack warm clothes.
Me: It's a ski resort. Of course there's snow.
Mother: And I know you think this sounds like nagging, but you've never traveled on your own, and what if you forget to pack--

I stopped listening at this point because ahem, I have traveled on my own before (Korea, L.A., Cornell), and for goodness' sake, it's a retreat! I'm going to be stuck in the hotel, listening to talks and presentations. What does she think I'm doing, going gallivanting off somewhere to party? This whole scenario feels like freshman year redux, where my mother called me thirteen times to stop me from going to watch the Cornell tournament. Ugh.

Anyway, lines have been redrawn, and apologies made on both sides, but I'm starting to think that I'll never see the day when my mother does not obsessively worry over everything I do. I wouldn't mind the worrying--I'm a worrier myself--if she didn't get so irrational about it. What's worse is that my father sided with her this time, making me wonder if I'm overreacting. (Father is usually rational.) Am I overreacting? I don't even know anymore.

Wow, that was a long post. The side effect of posting less frequently.

Yours &c.

Comments

[tsutanai.livejournal.com]

Well, as my hometown is Cornell, I can say that your mother was probably right to think of it as a Scary and Dangerous Place, requiring much checking up on anyone who went there. XDXDXDD I mean, the deer alone! Puts the yakuza to shame, wot. XDXD

(Remember to check the weather for Tahoe. Because, um, I'm fairly sure it doesn't snow year round, necessarily. XD)

[troisroyaumes]

Well, it's at high altitude, so even if it isn't snowing, there's probably going to be some snow on the ground? In any case, Colder Than Berkeley. But I wish she'd trust me to figure out these things for myself.

Haha, well, okay, granted that once I finally did go to the Cornell tournament (two years later, and I didn't tell my mother I was going, although she found out later), we hit a deer when we were seven miles outside of Ithaca. So her fears are not unfounded. Her fears about Lake Tahoe are not unfounded either; we've heard of at least two car accidents (from Korean-Americans she met while she was here, helping me move in) where the driver and passengers died while driving out on some sort of outdoors excursion in the mountains. But the whole division is going by car, and I'm expected to go to the retreat since my whole lab is going. I mean, I can't exactly avoid getting into a car for the rest of my life. :/

[tokyofish.livejournal.com]

Lake Tahoe is REALLY nice. And, uh, the actual lake area is generally warm (think of all the people swimming!), but if you're going up to the mountains, then yeah, it can get cold, and sometimes there is snow . . . but it's definitely NOT below freezing all year round? XD

I must admit, I find your parents' perspective on driving a little funny. Not that, you know, I trust MYSELF driving or anything (but the fact that I'm a terrible driver can't be helped), but where I grew up everyone was getting their permits at 16 and for the most part people driving around your age would probably have been doing so for around 6 years or so, right? In another few yours (once you get your license) you'll be able to rent a car! Just tell them that at least it's not you driving.

It's actually not that far to Tahoe (trying to remember if it actually takes five hours), but yeah, there will most likely be a lot of traffic on Friday. The roads are kind of windy since it's up the mountains, but lots of trucks go through there, so it's not THAT bad. The roads can get a bit narrow in places though, so it's actually safer to be in a car, I would think, since they can make turns easier than buses? Well, anyway, you might get really bored stuck in traffic on the way.

You're definitely not overreacting. You are an adult, after all. It'll just take your parents a little time to adjust to that. (Um, it might be good to tell your mother ahead of time that reception can cut out on the way and that you'll call her once you get there and then just turn off your phone after you're underway. Because it does cut out from time to time and I really think the last thing you need is a bajillion missed calls from your mother trying to ascertain whether you're alive or dead. ^^;)

BTW, the stars are SO GORGEOUS over there. Well, I've never been at the ski resort, but my friend had a cabin over there and we went out to watch the stars and it was just lovely without the light pollution. I've never actually seen the Milky Way before, y'know? I saw a couple falling stars too.

Oh, and if you're near Truckee (well, you probably won't get to go out since you're at a lab retreat) there is an EXCELLENT Mexican restaurant there (or at least there was a few years back). I highly recommend the chimichangas.

The science stories were pretty amusing. XDDD

Oh, and this (http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?archiveDate=06-04-04&storyID=19005) is apparently the Bubble Lady though I've never seen her. Lemme know when you see the Happy Happy Happy man, tho'.

[troisroyaumes]

(Oops, forgot to sign in.))

Huh, then I really ought to check the weather in Tahoe, shouldn't I? Well, in any case, I'm pretty sure it should be more or less temperate inside the hotel, so in the end, it probably doesn't even matter all that much.

Living in New York really skews one's perspective on driving. Most of the people my age there have only recently gotten their license, so I would probably be a bit paranoid too. But yeah, as far as I can tell, everyone who owns a car here has been driving for years and has probably made the transition to responsible driver by now. -_- Certainly, they'll drive better than me, in any case.

I was told that if you hit rush hour traffic in Sacramento, it takes a really long time, but maybe if we leave early enough it won't take so long? Anyway, now I'm kind of looking forward to the trip! I've only seen the Milky Way once, and that was when we were out in Cape Cod. ^_^

And hey, that really is her! (The name of the forgotten scientist was Vinogrod.) I haven't seen the Happy Happy Happy man yet, what does he do?

[love_archived]

Taking into consideration your entry AND your comments above, I'd say you need to spend more time soothing parental souls than actually arranging for alternatives, especially since it appears there's no real rational alternative. XD

[troisroyaumes]

Yes, I never planned on arranging for alternatives because at this point, there's no way I can arrange for alternatives. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at soothing my parents when I feel that they're being unreasonable, but you're right, I should probably work on calming them down. ^_^

[love_archived]

*snuggles you* I guess if nothing else, nodding and making soothing noises at least keeps them at bay? Works for my mother. ^_^

*loves* Thanks for the examples, by the way--gave me ideas on what to do. <3 I now need to build a study plan and proposal, but I'm pretty confident I can do that within a week. <3

[troisroyaumes]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was useful. ^_^

[issen4.livejournal.com]

Loved the science stories, and glad to hear you're settling in!

Parents... uh. Just give them a bit of time.

[troisroyaumes]

XD Glad you liked them.

Haha, well, hopefully they won't be like this by the time I finish grad school...

[emblem.livejournal.com]

Awesome stories! And I'm glad you're settling in better. *hugs*

[troisroyaumes]

::hugs back:: Thanks, Kara. And hm, I don't know if Botstein is of Delbrück lineage, but I wouldn't be surprised if he were, since it sounds about right, generation-wise.

[emblem.livejournal.com]

Oh, P.S. - IIRC, isn't Botstein also of the Delbrück lineage? I dropped his class too quickly to get good stories, but I bet he's got some (if I'm not wrong).

[sub-divided.livejournal.com]

because he worked in industry (which was considered selling out and not genuine science back in those days)

It still is in physics. XD;; Great stories.

I think your parents are overreacting, but then again, if you live in New Jersey and won't ride in cars driven by people your age, you don't have a social life.

[troisroyaumes]

Hee, industry is considered respectable in biology these days, but I think it still carries some of the old stigma because I definitely don't want to go into industry even though I know, technically, that there's a lot of good basic research being done at biotech firms these days. But hm, it's interesting to know that physics is even more conservative with regard to industry. I wonder if it's because physics is a "harder science" than biology.

The sad thing is, it's not even like this is the first time I've been in a car driven by someone my own age. But then again, I didn't exactly tell my parents about it before. >_>;;

[jaebi-lit.livejournal.com]

Tahoe is a minimum of four hours away from Berkeley, whether you leave at 5 A.M. or 5 P.M., and probably five and a half with traffic. Also, there is indeed snow year round -- on the mountain peaks. Down at lake-/resort- level, it gets four seasons and it's warm enough to go swimming in the lake in the summer. I'd maybe bring a sweatshirt in case it gets chilly outside at night.

Tahoe is a lovely area! My family used to go there for camping in the summer and skiing in the winter, although we haven't done it recently.

[troisroyaumes]

Ah, so they were right when they said it took five hours. Hmm, I'm not sure whether we'll be down by the lake or in the mountains; I should probably look that up.

It sounds like a lovely place! Though I'm afraid I won't have much time to actually enjoy it much since the schedule looks like it's pretty much filled with presentations. ::sighs::

[jaebi-lit.livejournal.com]

It used to take us five and a half to six hours, but that was coming from San Jose, which adds an hour, and at 5 A.M., which subtracts an hour.

The lake is pretty high up and is still temperate, and in the summer, the only snow and cold left is up at the very tips of the mountains, so don't worry about the temperature too much. It's really lovely - the air is bracingly clear and crisp and the smell of pine trees is everywhere. It might be less lovely now on account of the massive fires this summer, but even desolate natural landscapes are natural landscapes, and nice after living in the city.

[schwimmerin.livejournal.com]

Haha, Tahoe. I love how every CA school we interviewed at went on and on about the retreats at Tahoe. Plus, you'll be fine, and it'll be fun - I've heard it's beautiful.

Say hello to the yeast for me. Although I must say, I don't really miss them.

My immediate association with Meselson is the little underwater worms with receptors on their noses. Crazy, senile man XD

[troisroyaumes]

Apparently, half the retreats are at Tahoe and the other half are at Monterey. So maybe I'll be able to go to Monterey next year.

I sent you a postcard from Tahoe, so let me know if you get it. XD

The yeast don't like me much either; I keep not growing them for long enough or stressing them out by growing too much of them.

Hahaha...I was surprised though to hear that Meselson did significant science even after the famous Meselson-Stahl experiment. For one, he outlined a new model of recombination that built upon the classical Holliday model. Stahl's apparently done a lot too. So I suppose he's earned his right to relax and play around with underwater worms? ^_^;;