I've decided to have a new category, as its name implies, it is sometimes about my married life, but also about the married life in general. In addition, it commerates the six years we have been together, yay!
There is this one interesting article I came across about marriage success; it dealt specifically with scientists, and that really struck a chord with me. This is because the life of a scientist is not easy, and many hours would have been spent tolling away at the bench. If the partner does not understand the nature of the work, he/she may feel neglected. Whatsmore, the path from undergraduate to PhD to postdoc to research fellow before making it to assistant professor (only!) is indeed a long journey.
Rather than take the journey, at this present moment I choose to accompany the Husby as he makes the journey. Though there is no promise that the money will be great (it should never be about that alone!), there is surely the satisfaction of knowing that he can come back and share the day's failures and successes with me.
Here is the article for your perusal: Scientific success: What's love got to do with it?
Monday, August 28, 2006
Vacuum cleaner = Freo?
Last night as I was at my Sister's place, two funny incidents occurred.
The first was when I was packing my jeans into my bag, and the wedding band had fallen onto the floor with a loud "clink". I had only a vague glimpse that it was my ring, because the next thing I knew Freo rushed over to take a look and was right above the ring! She must have heard it and curiousity got the better of her. Ahh!! What if she swallowed it?? I quickly bent over to push her away, and thank goodness the band was still there. Imagine if she had decided to swallow it, that would be gross! For me that is, for I would have to follow her be on "poop-petrol"!
The first was when I was packing my jeans into my bag, and the wedding band had fallen onto the floor with a loud "clink". I had only a vague glimpse that it was my ring, because the next thing I knew Freo rushed over to take a look and was right above the ring! She must have heard it and curiousity got the better of her. Ahh!! What if she swallowed it?? I quickly bent over to push her away, and thank goodness the band was still there. Imagine if she had decided to swallow it, that would be gross! For me that is, for I would have to follow her be on "poop-petrol"!
The second incident was after dinner while we were washing dishes. We realised Freo had something in her mouth, and was chewing like she really enjoyed it. Sensing that it did not seem like one of her chew-toys, my Sister opened her mouth to take a peek. Guess what? It was a small packet of wasabi! Fortunately for Freo it did not burst; otherwise she would be in tears I bet!
Henceforth, Freo shall be known as the "vacuum cleaner" as well!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Once upon a time (5)
26th August
Once upon a time, a boy and girl dated for a week, and one early Saturday night saw them at East Coast Park. Under the cover of darkness and the big sea before them, it was this day that they decided that they would be dating each other exclusively, or what is commonly known as going steady. There was still a lot to learn about each other, and marriage definitely was not on the cards at that point in time. In fact, the girl was often worried that the relationship may not make it pass the three month mark, as her previous ones had not.
But this relationship was different. The boy did not laugh at her insercurities, and they promised that they will always work things out, come what may. And so they celebrated the 3rd month together, and soon enough the 30th month together... Time flies when you are having fun!
The year now is 2006, and it is this special day again; this is the 72th month (six years!) that the couple is together! Incidentally it also marks the 5th month they are married.
This is indeed an unique occassion for this is the first time they can celebrate it as Husby and Wifey. Alas vast land and oceans separates them. Thank goodness for technology for keeping them connected!
Once upon a time, a boy and girl dated for a week, and one early Saturday night saw them at East Coast Park. Under the cover of darkness and the big sea before them, it was this day that they decided that they would be dating each other exclusively, or what is commonly known as going steady. There was still a lot to learn about each other, and marriage definitely was not on the cards at that point in time. In fact, the girl was often worried that the relationship may not make it pass the three month mark, as her previous ones had not.
But this relationship was different. The boy did not laugh at her insercurities, and they promised that they will always work things out, come what may. And so they celebrated the 3rd month together, and soon enough the 30th month together... Time flies when you are having fun!
The year now is 2006, and it is this special day again; this is the 72th month (six years!) that the couple is together! Incidentally it also marks the 5th month they are married.
This is indeed an unique occassion for this is the first time they can celebrate it as Husby and Wifey. Alas vast land and oceans separates them. Thank goodness for technology for keeping them connected!
Monday, August 21, 2006
All about blood
There was an incident that inspire me to write this, and subsequently I realised how little some knew about this. My uncle was over for lunch one Sunday afternoon, and was enthusiastically telling my Sis and I about a new book he has read about dieting (Though I never really believe that he needed to lose any weight). It was the Blood Type Diet, which I shall elaborate later. And he then proceeded to ask us what was our blood group. Both my Sis and I answered in unision: A+. He looked surprised and remarked: Mine is just A! I found it pretty comical, as the way he expressed it reminded me of my PSLE results were I wanted an 'A+' grade badly, rather than plain 'A's.
Then I asked around, I realised that most did not bother to remember if they were '+' or '-'. In fact, the most common reply was these signs following the bloodtype? Knowing your blood group (its either A, B, O and AB) is just one part of it. The other is knowing if your blood cells carry a certain marker (known as antigen) on the surface of your red blood cells, and it is known as the Rhesus factor. So this means that for me, my bloodgroup is A, and the '+' indicates that I have the Rhesus factor on my red blood cell. I dare bet my money and say that you are definitely Rhesus factor '+'. This is because less than 1% of the chinese population do not have the factor, and Rhesus negative is more common in Caucasians. Please tell me if I am wrong!
If you are however Rhesus negative and female, then you must take note that there may be complications during your pregancy. It is known as the hemolytic disease of the newborn, only in the case where the newborn's bloodgroup is Rhesus positive. But worry not, with a better understanding of science today, the problem can be solved by an injection of antibodies to the Rhesus factor. So there, hope you all have a better understanding of what these signs following your blood group mean, and its not funny to mix them up!
And as mentioned above, I was also curious about the Blood Type Diet, and googled it. From what I gathered, it was developed by a certain Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo; it dictates that there are certain antigens in blood that render each type different from the other, and one should eat food that are suitable for his blood type in order to achieve weight loss. There are two books Eat right for your type and Live right for your type on this. According to his theory,
-Blood type 'O' is the earliest human blood group. Therefore the diet for people with this blood group should be similar to our earliest ancestors: meat.
-Blood type 'A' was the next blood group to evolve during the age of agriculture. Therefore one should take in more vegetables and avoid red meat.
-Blood type 'B' is associated with the nomad, and therefore thought to be able to thrive on diary products.
-Blood type 'AB' is the most recently evolved blood type, and people with this blood group should have a diet intermediate between 'A' and 'B'.
Do I believe this? Nope, not really. Not until they find more evidence, and I definitely hope no one follows it! For the record, I still believe in a balanced diet, and I want my red meat!
Some pointless did-you-know facts:
- The most common blood group is 'O'. Over 40% of the population belong in the blood group.
Then I asked around, I realised that most did not bother to remember if they were '+' or '-'. In fact, the most common reply was these signs following the bloodtype? Knowing your blood group (its either A, B, O and AB) is just one part of it. The other is knowing if your blood cells carry a certain marker (known as antigen) on the surface of your red blood cells, and it is known as the Rhesus factor. So this means that for me, my bloodgroup is A, and the '+' indicates that I have the Rhesus factor on my red blood cell. I dare bet my money and say that you are definitely Rhesus factor '+'. This is because less than 1% of the chinese population do not have the factor, and Rhesus negative is more common in Caucasians. Please tell me if I am wrong!
If you are however Rhesus negative and female, then you must take note that there may be complications during your pregancy. It is known as the hemolytic disease of the newborn, only in the case where the newborn's bloodgroup is Rhesus positive. But worry not, with a better understanding of science today, the problem can be solved by an injection of antibodies to the Rhesus factor. So there, hope you all have a better understanding of what these signs following your blood group mean, and its not funny to mix them up!
And as mentioned above, I was also curious about the Blood Type Diet, and googled it. From what I gathered, it was developed by a certain Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo; it dictates that there are certain antigens in blood that render each type different from the other, and one should eat food that are suitable for his blood type in order to achieve weight loss. There are two books Eat right for your type and Live right for your type on this. According to his theory,
-Blood type 'O' is the earliest human blood group. Therefore the diet for people with this blood group should be similar to our earliest ancestors: meat.
-Blood type 'A' was the next blood group to evolve during the age of agriculture. Therefore one should take in more vegetables and avoid red meat.
-Blood type 'B' is associated with the nomad, and therefore thought to be able to thrive on diary products.
-Blood type 'AB' is the most recently evolved blood type, and people with this blood group should have a diet intermediate between 'A' and 'B'.
Do I believe this? Nope, not really. Not until they find more evidence, and I definitely hope no one follows it! For the record, I still believe in a balanced diet, and I want my red meat!
Some pointless did-you-know facts:
- The most common blood group is 'O'. Over 40% of the population belong in the blood group.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
My students
As a Master's student, I used to have to demostrate during practical classes for the undergraduates. Hence the "demo" and "demo-ee" relationship. I do enjoy teaching them, especially when the lesson is not too rushed and the students listen and contribute. In fact, there were three students that have emailed me or stopped me when they met me within the past two months, and its really good to know that they rememebered me even after they have graduated from university. Must have been all those times I tell them "My name is YS, but I dont live in Yishun" to help them remember me! But seriously,that means I must have left an impression on them right? And I would like to think that it may be a good impression!
This week, one of my students was all smartly dressed when he walked into my lab."Ah YS! You are still here!" He exclaimed when he saw me. It feels good to know that he knew my name, but the same cannot be said for me. I knew he was once my student and from which class, but what is his name again? (I remember now SJ! ;) )I admit my memory is no longer as good as it used to be, and there have been quite a few classes I taught in each semester for the past two years. Anyway, as I was saying, he was with his sales manager and now employed by a bio-sales company.
What was really comical and somewhat ironical was the fact that he was trying to sell our laboratory products for a certain application which I had to teach during their class. At that moment my brain only had one though: I hope I taught him all the right things! Later on that day, I received an email from him. He told me that when he meets up with his labmates from that practical class, they still remember me.
Now that leaves a fuzzy feeling in me; I finally understand why people say teaching is a rewarding job. =)
This week, one of my students was all smartly dressed when he walked into my lab."Ah YS! You are still here!" He exclaimed when he saw me. It feels good to know that he knew my name, but the same cannot be said for me. I knew he was once my student and from which class, but what is his name again? (I remember now SJ! ;) )I admit my memory is no longer as good as it used to be, and there have been quite a few classes I taught in each semester for the past two years. Anyway, as I was saying, he was with his sales manager and now employed by a bio-sales company.
What was really comical and somewhat ironical was the fact that he was trying to sell our laboratory products for a certain application which I had to teach during their class. At that moment my brain only had one though: I hope I taught him all the right things! Later on that day, I received an email from him. He told me that when he meets up with his labmates from that practical class, they still remember me.
Now that leaves a fuzzy feeling in me; I finally understand why people say teaching is a rewarding job. =)
Once upon a time (4)
20th August
Once upon a time, the year 2000, a boy and girl had their first real date on the wee hours of this day. They had drove to the airport while waiting for a midnight show to start; sipping ice-blended coffees while watching the planes take-off. The movie was a borderline B-flick action movie- The Hollowman, after which they went for some supper at Holland Village. Oh how exciting and fun the first date had been! To the girl she had felt that there was just this chemistry and undeniable attraction between them. Plus they were on the same wavelength.
Could he be The One?
Fast forward to the year 2006. The same date is also a Sunday early morning. The answer to the question above is obvious, yes! He is the One and Only One for her! It is now the Husby (cross between Husband and Hubby) and Wifey at the airport again. However, it was for a different reason this time. With teary eyes and trying to fight back the uncontrollable sobs, she watched him walk past the gates at the Immigration and Customs checkpoint.
But this is no goodbye! It is merely physical distance of 15,503 kilometers (9633 miles or 8371 nautical miles to be exact) that separates them, but never their LOVE.
I LOVBE YOU Dearest Husby Dear!
Once upon a time, the year 2000, a boy and girl had their first real date on the wee hours of this day. They had drove to the airport while waiting for a midnight show to start; sipping ice-blended coffees while watching the planes take-off. The movie was a borderline B-flick action movie- The Hollowman, after which they went for some supper at Holland Village. Oh how exciting and fun the first date had been! To the girl she had felt that there was just this chemistry and undeniable attraction between them. Plus they were on the same wavelength.
Could he be The One?
Fast forward to the year 2006. The same date is also a Sunday early morning. The answer to the question above is obvious, yes! He is the One and Only One for her! It is now the Husby (cross between Husband and Hubby) and Wifey at the airport again. However, it was for a different reason this time. With teary eyes and trying to fight back the uncontrollable sobs, she watched him walk past the gates at the Immigration and Customs checkpoint.
But this is no goodbye! It is merely physical distance of 15,503 kilometers (9633 miles or 8371 nautical miles to be exact) that separates them, but never their LOVE.
I LOVBE YOU Dearest Husby Dear!
Saturday, August 5, 2006
Say the magic words (2)
"Good job, well done!" I hardly uttered these words to any one I am coaching, and I am actively trying to change this. Having met some of my students this week, it made me think of how it was like in practical classes then. I found out that it is important to praise students when the right time comes along; this helps them to build up their confidence. (Then again, there were also days where I will be like really to kill them all as they had not paid attention to what I was saying!) I must have done something right too, because I recieved a thank you card from them; now thats a real pat on my back!
Friday, August 4, 2006
Once upon a time (3)
4th August
Once upon a time, three years ago on this exact date and month, there was a girl who signed on the dotted line to be a Research Scholar/Graduate student with the university. Then there was an air of excitement in the air as she embarked on this journey; after all she had just obtained her honours and sensed that things could only get better!
Fast forward to two years ago on this exact date and month, the girl was still enthusiastic about research, although some things did not proceed as well as she had planned. But that is part and parcel of research right? Research = endless searching answers that may never appear... Futhermore her supervisor had high hopes and dreams of publishing the results, surely he must be right?
Fast forward to one year ago on this exact date and month, the girl was no longer excited about research. All the excitement had fizzled out and research tasted like a carbonated drink gone flat and tasteless. Those emotions were replaced by despair, frustrations and endless doubts of her ability to succeed in this field. Her confidence was slowly being eaten up by the negative emotions of failure, and she was clutching at the last straws of hope. Examinations that had seem a breeze in the past were now a nightmare. The problem had also escalated due to her inability to fit into the laboratory; she had few friends even though there were many colleagues. In her darkest hour, she felt very despondent and depressed and it was really possible that she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Thankfully there were close friends and family helped her pull through, what would she ever do without them!
A decision was made: she would choose to graduate with a Masters of Science rather than pursuing her PhD. It was still a difficult decision to make as many had adviced that by staying in the program for another two years, she would be Dr Tan rather than with qualifications that entitled her to only be a test-tube washer. (A certain prominent man who used to sit at the top of the EDB board and now at the A*STAR made the comment that a graduate with a Masters of Science is merely a advanced test-tube washer)
Fast forward to the present day on this exact date, month and year of 2006, the girl finally has been conferred her Masters of Science! The letter arrived in the mail last night. What a surprise it was, for it is really three years, exact to this date and month that she had entered the graduate program. Life has a strange way of going around in a circle, and now the circle is complete. Freedom, at last!
And yes, the bottom line is that she is now officially an advanced test tube washer!
Once upon a time, three years ago on this exact date and month, there was a girl who signed on the dotted line to be a Research Scholar/Graduate student with the university. Then there was an air of excitement in the air as she embarked on this journey; after all she had just obtained her honours and sensed that things could only get better!
Fast forward to two years ago on this exact date and month, the girl was still enthusiastic about research, although some things did not proceed as well as she had planned. But that is part and parcel of research right? Research = endless searching answers that may never appear... Futhermore her supervisor had high hopes and dreams of publishing the results, surely he must be right?
Fast forward to one year ago on this exact date and month, the girl was no longer excited about research. All the excitement had fizzled out and research tasted like a carbonated drink gone flat and tasteless. Those emotions were replaced by despair, frustrations and endless doubts of her ability to succeed in this field. Her confidence was slowly being eaten up by the negative emotions of failure, and she was clutching at the last straws of hope. Examinations that had seem a breeze in the past were now a nightmare. The problem had also escalated due to her inability to fit into the laboratory; she had few friends even though there were many colleagues. In her darkest hour, she felt very despondent and depressed and it was really possible that she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Thankfully there were close friends and family helped her pull through, what would she ever do without them!
A decision was made: she would choose to graduate with a Masters of Science rather than pursuing her PhD. It was still a difficult decision to make as many had adviced that by staying in the program for another two years, she would be Dr Tan rather than with qualifications that entitled her to only be a test-tube washer. (A certain prominent man who used to sit at the top of the EDB board and now at the A*STAR made the comment that a graduate with a Masters of Science is merely a advanced test-tube washer)
Fast forward to the present day on this exact date, month and year of 2006, the girl finally has been conferred her Masters of Science! The letter arrived in the mail last night. What a surprise it was, for it is really three years, exact to this date and month that she had entered the graduate program. Life has a strange way of going around in a circle, and now the circle is complete. Freedom, at last!
And yes, the bottom line is that she is now officially an advanced test tube washer!
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