Monday, July 03, 2006

Summer Hols


Been away on a little break to Italy. It was great. Florence was the choice of stay, but I got to travel a bit around the country on day trips... My week of rambling was filled with extreme (37 degree) temperature, Culex mosquitoes, Italian language, fumes of alcohol and generally trying to pace the Italian way of life...Here are some of the memoriable pics of that lovely country.

Shock! That was my expression when I realised that I'm going to have to sit on that ATR plane courtesy of Alitalia. Err... give me Ryan Air anytime... but then again what an experience... I doubt I'll have a chance to sit on a propellar plane again.

Room with a view.
The Villa I stayed in was eclectic, with their own orchard and vineyard... best part though was the view from my room... Overlooking the city of Florence, I just had to enjoy a cool drink of Campari mixx on the balcony amidst the scorching temperature.

Yes, why don't I?

Replica of David looking a little shy there...;)

The famous Florence Duomo, peaking out at the end of a lane...

The hand of San Giovanni on display in the Siena Duomo.

Gondolas parked in a row in Venice's San Marco square...

Where else would you go to get Venetian masks?

In Italy, kids are in a hurry to get to school... Go kids!


Bye bye Firenze... I'll definitely be back to ramble around the Tuscan landscape again! But for now, I'm back with a tan and work starts again... sniff.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Sushi!

And the weather is back to the warming twenties. Times like this makes me wanna eat sushi. So even when there is no time to sit and eat comfortably, there is always Sainsbury's that does (not so great) takeaway sushis. Well, it's better than a sandwich! Then again, where abouts can I find a sushi ya in Oxford? Hmmm.

Here's a funny video I found on YouTube about sushi etiquette. Enjoy!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Not exactly DNA, but...

Got this personality DNA quiz thing from SeaDevilyn. It's fun. But don't think it's really reading your DNA, mind.

Generous Inventor


You are an Inventor

Your imagination, self-reliance, openness to new things, and appreciation for utility combine to make you an INVENTOR.

You have the confidence to make your visions into reality, and you are willing to consider many alternatives to get that done.

The full spectrum of possibilities in the world intrigues you—you're not limited by pre-conceived notions of how things should be.

Problem-solving is a specialty of yours, owing to your persistence, curiosity, and understanding of how things work.

Your vision allows you to identify what's missing from a given situation, and your creativity allows you to fill in the gaps.

Your awareness of how things function gives you the ability to come up with new uses for common objects.

It is more interesting for you to pursue excitement than it is to get caught up in a routine.

Although understanding details is not difficult for you, you specialize in seeing the bigger picture and don't get caught up in specifics.

You tend to more proactive than reactive—you don't just wait for things to come to you.

If you want to be different:

Try applying your creativity to more artistic arenas, and letting your imagination take less practical forms.


How you relate to others:

You are Generous

Your awareness of those around you, along with your nuanced perceptions of the world at large, makes you the GENEROUS person that you are.

You value time to yourself and understand how rich your private world can be—you know that you don't have to go wild to have a good time.

You are excited and energized by ideas and often enjoy things more through observation than through experience.

This tendency gives you an appreciation for different perspectives and opinions about the world.

Being as aware of others as you are doesn't mean you find it easy to trust them immediately—this is something that happens more slowly for you.

Despite this, you are aware of the complexities of many situations and are reluctant to pass judgments on others.

Although you have fewer friendships than some people, those that you have are meaningful and are important to you.

You value spending time alone—it is while reflecting on the world around you that you often learn something new about yourself or begin to understand something that's been bothering you.

If you want to be different:

Given how attuned you are to others' thoughts and feelings, you might find that trusting people more is a way to broaden your perspective even further.

While you know how much can be learned from observing the world around you, remember that much of life can be lived by experiencing it, not just by understanding it.


Hmmm... that sounds like me in a nutshell alright. Look at the pretty colours ooooo @_@.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Sleepy...

Just when I've said it's too hot, down comes rain... and lots of it (okay, not a tropical storm or anything like that mind). So now the temperature is down to 16 degrees. Actually, I'm glad that it's raining. My room isn't so warm anymore.
But then again, this weather is making me lazy... I wanna go home and have a nap...
zzzzzz

I think I'll just go home now. To heck with work.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Scorching Weekend

Temperature: 27 degrees. It isn't even this hot in Cardiff!
And as this weekend was that hot, play was really really in order!

Saturday:
Karate training for 2 hours straight! And the dojo was like an oven. I think I almost keeled over with Sensei's zealous but great training.
Then, a small late birthday dinner party till really late. Lots of cocktails which was not such a good idea when hydrated before from a 2 hour workout...
Some sneak peek at World Cup scores in between (Sweden draws??? eh???)

Sunday:
Lazy start of the day. Spent some time with a friend watching TV. Then off to the park with some people to attempt cricket. I say attempt because I don't know what I was doing most times... This is then followed by a mini-picnic.

So I guess that was a good weekend. But I wouldn't mind a bit of rain now. Brain is overheating and sleeping at night is getting difficult. And my laptop is desperately trying to cool down with its noisy fan.

Hope everyone has a good weekend?

Friday, June 09, 2006

Here comes the sun!

And I say it's alright...

Yay finally the feeling of summer is here! It's a lovely 25 degrees. I'm gonna try enjoy this as much as I can while it's here!

Punting, Rowing, Tennis, World Cup, Cricket, Gin and Tonic, Pimms and Lemonade, Strawberries and cream, barbecues, Rosé wines...

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

^_^

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Busy Monday

So yesterday was my birthday yay! But what a Monday. the usual lab work until 6.30pm, then a meeting at 7.30pm, and finally a couple of my friends and I went out for a pub meal at about 9pm! The said two then gave me presents, a birthday muffin, and a special cocktail to boot. My birthday celebration, when celebrated, are always on the low key. I like that.
Alas now I'm coming down with a cold I think. Sigh!

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Midweek blues

Breakdown of lab machines,
Setting back experiments,
Cleaning duty woes,
Mosquito rearing boredom.

Alarms are beeping,
From the cooling facility,
Due to broken air-conditioning,
Giving me a headache.

Brain drained away,
By mundane repetition,
Of laboratory life,
Situated in a basement.

Bank Holidays mean nothing,
When you have to work anyway,
At my wits end,
when things go wrong.

So this is midweek,
Another two days labour,
Time flies by so quickly,
Even when you are not having fun.

Monday, May 22, 2006

It's still raining!

After two weeks, the weather is still grey and wet. Gah! Please! I don't want to cycle on the slippery road and getting a free shower anymore! Besides, would like to participate in some outdoor sports. Right now, what is on offer is Aqua Tennis. But really that isn't my thing...
So anyway, I've gone for two lessons of Karate... Ouch! Seven years of hiatus in this field has left me in muscle fatigue (pain!) that did experienced when I first started in martial arts. At least I can still remember some basic kicks and blocks :S, but not much else. So at the end, I've resolved to start again from the beginning. One thing I like about the Oxford Karate Club is the dojo. It really is a dojo! Wow! Oh and the sensei insists on using Japanese terms only so I'm left a little baffled at times because my previous experience was taught in English. But hey, at least then joining Karate not only gives you the workout and martial arts skill, but also teachers you a new language.
Right, I best cycle home now while the rain is letting up a little.

An obscure observation: When it is raining, and you sing the song "Rain rain go away", does it rain harder or does the rain stop? In my experiences, it always rain harder and harder! Okay, this is bull I know. (For the record, I only did this when I was young! :P)

Friday, May 19, 2006

Bunny coolness!

Have a look at today's Bunny.
Hehehe!
I love Bunny!

Monday, May 15, 2006

English Summer Rain

"English Summer Rain
Always stays the same, nothing ever changes,
English summer rain seems to last for ages.
Always stays the same, nothing ever changes,
English summer rain seems to last for ages."


Somehow sometimes the weather suits my mood. As said absent grey matter in cranial cavity is no where to be found, and things just feel absolutely stagnant at the moment.

I'm in the basement, you're in the sky,
I'm in the basement baby, drop on by.
I'm in the basement, you're in the sky,
I'm in the basement baby, drop on by.


And what is worst is my basement lab (which I sometime refer to as the "dungeon" for it's cold and gloomy interior decor). I could just about see the rain from the small underground window. There is hardly any light coming through it.

Always stays the same, nothing ever changes,
English summer rain seems to last for ages.
Always stays the same, nothing ever changes,
English summer rain seems to last for ages.

I'm in the basement, you're in the sky,
I'm in the basement baby, drop on by.
I'm in the basement, you're in the sky,
I'm in the basement baby, drop on by.

Hold your breath and count to ten,
And fall apart and start again,
Hold your breath and count to ten,
Start again, start again...
Hold your breath and count your step,
And fall apart and start again,
Start again...

Always stays the same, nothing ever changes,
English summer rain seems to last for ages.
Always stays the same, nothing ever changes,
English summer rain seems to last for ages.

Hold your breath and count to ten,
And fall apart and start again,
hold your breath and count to ten,
Start again, start again...
Hold your breath and count to ten,
And fall apart and start again,
Old your breath and count to ten,
And start again, and start again,

Start again...


Maybe when the sun decides to make appearance sometime this week, my life would feel and be a little better. Right now I'll have to wait patiently and plough on.


"English Summer Rain" lyrics by Placebo

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Wanted: Missing brain



If there is a theme song for me, right now it would be "Where's your head at" by Basement Jaxx. Really, I'm doing research like a headless monkey. I get so muddled up and tell my supervisor (who can be scary sometimes) the wrong things. It's like a writer's block, except that there's no capacity to analyse or execute experiments properly instead of creative writing.
So, I was told to go and review my work. How shameful.
:(

Why in the world am I so confused? Lack of concentration? Maybe I don't really have the brain to do this line of work... can someone lend me a brain please?

Maybe I need to clear my head first.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Bogged down

I'm so bogged down with work and other responsibilities to the point of going insane.

"I think I'm drowning
asphyxiated
I wanna break this spell
that you've created"



Just how far will I let this go on?


"you will be the death of me
you will be the death of me

bury it
I won't let you bury it
I won't let you smother it
I won't let you murder it

our time is running out
our time is running out
you can't push it underground
you can't stop it screaming out"


I need to find a way to keep myself in one piece. I can't and won't let things get in the way of my own life.

(Partial lyrics from Muse, Time is Running Out)

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

May Day, Oxford style


Sunday. A few new friends and I took a trip down to Magdalen College for an all nighter movie marathon, hoping to brush away this dark cloud that is building within me. Magdalen as some may have known, is one of the more well known Oxford colleges, and more recently as one of the colleges used for the Harry Porter movies. We stayed awake the whole night, watching films that require little or no brain power. Then at 6 am May Day, we braved the rain and cold, and gathered in the courtyard to witness an annual tradition that dates back to the 4th century called Evensong. Above the Magdalen Tower, the choristers gathered and as the soon as the bell in the tower finished ringing six time, they started to sing, it was as if everything was frozen, except for the hymn that echoed into the stillness. Then there was a short latin prayer, and another hymn. Somehow, it was a calming experience, even though I was still carrying a gloom along with me...

I guess that the previous weeks' positivity is at it's end, I am back to the melancholy that is too familiar. I remember my teenage years, when nearly everyday was like this... even to a point where I could barely move to do anything. It's sometimes amazing how I could have gotten myself somewhat afloat again, even if it isn't so well done. But hey, I'm still here, fighting year after year to maintain buoyancy... And here again I feel that same dead weight that wants to drag me down into the deeps of despair.
So as I was standing on the grass of the courtyard, looking up at Magdalen Tower, I wonder what is it I am here for... I now remind myself of a quote from a former Magdalen college student:

"The aim of life is self-development. To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for."
- Oscar Wilde, 1854 - 1900

I hope you are right, Mr. Wilde. I hope you are right...

Now, I wonder how many idiotic students has jumped off Magdalen Bridge into the shallow river Cherwell as part of a May Day celebration this year?

Monday, April 24, 2006

Another Sunday antics

Sunday was rainy, so what better to do at home? Another cooking experiment! My, is this turning out to be a food blog?

After Easter, I had some leftover white chocolate and about a pint of double cream... what better excuse to make some creme brulee? :P


Firstly, made some Langue De Chat on Friday night... to much of a housemate's irritation as I only finished baking by midnight. Sorry!


And then on to the brulee - white chocolate and raspberry brulee that is... Unfortunately, I couldn't get the burnt sugar layer right as I only have an electric grill... Here's the first one served with extra raspberries and Langue De Chat.


Second attempt , still couldn't get the caramel right. I guess that's why people usually use a blowtorch. So if anyone would like to buy me a blowtorch as a birthday present... much appreciated, as strange as that sounds!

Saturday, April 22, 2006

The People's Petition

It's Saturday and I'm avoiding the city centre as I got news that there will be a large animal rights demo today. I'm tired of these people, and I know many others are too.
Hence, David Taylor has the idea of putting an online petition that is pro-research. If you want to know more about the three statements this petition is for, and hopefully sign up for it, then click on the title of this post. Unfortunately, as these so called animal lovers are so aggressive, the petition can be signed anonymously.
The anti-vivisectionists critise this of course, but after all that has been happening, you cannot say that it is unneccessary. Once, I've witnessed students being shouted at and intimidated as they enter the Zoology Department, even though many of these students studies and work for the progress of welfare and conservation of animals. Buildings belonging to the university are also damaged thanks to them.

I am pro-life, therefore I agree with this petition. How about you?

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Easter is the excuse for choc overdose

What a weekend! Was your Easter weekend a pigging out session on tons of chocolate? Mine was, starting with a rich chocolate cake of my own concoction on Saturday. Then Sunday, a chocolate egg hunt in a local garden, then a lunch, with more chocolate afterwards.

As you can see, my oh so bold attempt to decorate it as a bird's nest did not turn out quite so well after a couple of mishaps. So then I dubbed it the Easter Dinosaur Nest. Amount of chocolate: 500g of Belgian dark (for the cake), 100g of white chocolate and a bag of Terry's chocolate orange eggs.


Here's one of my egg hunt reward: The evil Cadbury's Creme Egg! So sweet that even your teeth cries in protest! :P
Amount of chocolate consumed at the hunt: 3 eggs, fragments of a chocolate bunny, and a handful of other chocolates.

Ugh, maybe that is why I'm feeling a little sick now... ooo! there is still a quarter of the cake left in the fridge!

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Stuck in between experiments

I've run out of a few essential things for experiments... Nothing I can do now but wait till next week, when hopefully I can continue.
Everyone is more or less is in a holiday mood. The department is pretty much empty now, save or a few mental people (including yours truly) that will work over Easter. Le sigh, I hope at the end of my three year research, something useful will come out of it. Meanwhile, Happy Easter... even though it isn't of any significance to me, except that I'll be stuffing myself with chocolate. That I will :).

Here's what I'm listen to at the moment: Bloc Party's "Plans"

Wake up dreamer
It's happening without you
Cut your hair and shave your beard
You squandered your chances
I'll give you a thousand pounds
To show me how you do it
Stop being so laissez-faire
We're all scared of the future

Been training vipers to come for you
In your dreams to release you
Been training vipers to come for you
In your sleep
And the ravens are leaving the tower
And the ravens are leaving the tower
Make your peace

I've got a taste for blood
Leave the weak, leave the young
I've got a taste for blood
I'm walking out without you
You will kill or be killed
It's about progress
I've got a taste for blood

Wake up sleepyhead
It's happening without you
Such a nice guy
You tell me everything twice
Whipcrack speed jump
We will run backwards
Stop being so laissez-faire
We're all scared of the future

We make plans for big times
Get bogged down, distracted
We make plans for good times
All neon, all surface
So kiss me before it all gets complicated
I've got a taste for blood

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Something's up with Mos...

Many failed experiments, but I do have some results to work with... What does it mean? I feel like I'm at a dead end... I'm reminded of Jack Skellington's obsession with solving the secret to Christmas.

"There are so many things I cannot grasp
When I think I've got it, and then at last
Through my bony fingers it does slip
Like a snowflake in a fiery grip

Something's here I'm not quite getting
Though I try, I keep forgetting
Like a memory long since past
Here in an instant, gone in a flash
What does it mean?
What does it mean?"

Oh woe, what to do with my data?

"Simple objects, nothing more
But something's hidden through a door
Though I do not have the key
Something's there I cannot see
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Hmm..."

I've stared and tinkered around with my data, I still can't make any sense with it other than some basic stuff...

"Or perhaps it's really not as deep
As I've been led to think
Am I trying much too hard?
Of course! I've been too close to see
The answer's right in front of me
Right in front of me"

Or is it? Time for a visit to the supervisor...

Sunday, April 09, 2006

On a Sunday...

I usually spend my Sundays at home. Doing laundry, food shopping, reading, artwork... So today's no different. The day started out with plenty of sunshine, and so I cycled down to visit the Prophets of Tesco. The fresh chicken shelves were on sale: Buy one get one free! Needless to say this was sparked by the recent event of bird flu in the country. Oh for goodness sake! It's in Scotland! But anyway, I thought I should stock up on chicken since memory serves that the prices of poultry and related products will sky-rocket after this. I also bought a few stuff on a wimp that will soon be my lazy Sunday's main event...
So lugging kilos of food (of which half being chicken), I cycled home: in the rain. The meak sun was smothered again and heavy dark clouds summoned tiny droplets of near iced rain dancing around with the chilly winds. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my gloves and so had the luxury of watching my hands turn snow white, then an angry red. And the pain! Heh, that is spring for you.

Right, so after a nice cup of tea and a flapjack (whilst watching the rain that turned into hail and then return of the sun), I started my first attempt at making a japanese cheesecake. I don't know why did I suddenly felt like making cheesecakes... I started at around 4pm, and by the time I've finished with the baking it was 6.30pm! But I guess it was well worth it because the cake turned out quite yummy, if not soft and fluffy as it should. But with the decor on, it was rather pretty. And I was pretty chuffed too when some housemates thought I bought it. Too bad the cake's pristine condition was to last for like 10 minutes! Most of it now sits in the stomachs of five people.


The cake after all the lovely trimmings on. Sad to say the souffle-ness started to sink after a bit.


After dinner, I've got something else to look forward to... yum!

So all in all, not a bad first attempt. ;)

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

In between experiments 3

Waiting for the results... and some chemicals for further experiments... so la dee da!

Here's anothere song by The Editors that's stuck in my mind thanks to my little sister.

"Distance"

Distance, I'll keep my distance
These things I never seem to meet
So I'll leave the murder scene

Honey, what got broke here
Won't go back together again
So I'll leave this while I can

Here
Here
Here
Here

Nothing, to be scared of
My dreams they keep a hold of me
My guide when I can't see

Call, I will be there
I'm sure you're passing the test
I wish you all the best

Here
Here
Here
Here
...

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Escape to the Welsh landscape

And so after much stressful work, I've decided to go back to Cardiff for a visit. Unfortunately, I failed to catch wind of a football match that weekend (Swansea vs Carlisle if anyone is interested, oh and Swansea won). But fortunately, my friends brought me to escape the city football-craze scene: the Brecon Beacons of superb Welsh landscape! Didn't take many stunning pictures though...


Taken in a moving car...


Abergavenny Castle... in Abergavenny (Y-Fenni in Welsh) Town, Monmouthshire of course.

Now that I'm no longer living in Wales, I realised it is not a bad place to be afteralll. With that, I was a little sad to leave the country... by train packed full of people in blue and white, or black and white.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Start all over again

What happens when you failed to get things done right?
Start all over again!
:(

Anyway, a little cheer me up by watching the latest Never Mind the Buzzcocks on BBC2. Here is a snippet of the episode. You can watch the whole episode on the BBC2 website.


Okay here's another one:

Monday, March 27, 2006

RNA is a pain

I hate it when I work with RNA (Ribonucleic acid). It's so sensitive to degradation that everything has to be sterile and RNase(protein that kills RNA) free. That means heaps of autoclaving (um, a sterilsing chamber) and keeping everything clean/sterilised at an almost paranoia level. I hate working with RNA!

For those who don't understand what the heck I'm going about, please disregard this post. I just have to gripe on a Monday.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Monday Blues

Like a Carpenter's song: Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.

And even more so when it's a rainy Monday.

To top it off: lots to do, not enough time to do it!

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

In between experiments 2

And as I leave my experiments to run overnight, here I am posting another before I head home after a day's hectic work.

Radio 1 is playing "All Sparks" by The Editors alot. And since it's the only channel I could get in my basement lab, it's now stuck in my head. Heh, this song is somewhat suitable for me at the mo... just read the lyrics.


You're answering questions that have not yet been asked
All sparks will burn out in the end

You burn like a bouncing cigarette on the road
All sparks will burn out in the end

All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
In the end

You're casting opinions at people who need them
All sparks will burn out in the end

Well be careful angel, this life is just too long
All sparks will burn out in the end

All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
In the end

You burn like a bouncing cigarette

All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
All sparks will burn out
In the end

Monday, March 13, 2006

I was served by Draco!

Went to my local Co-op for some groceries. And guess who was the cashier? heheheheh!





It's actually the self-service checkout machine I'm afraid.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

In between experiments 1

While I'm waiting for my experiment to finish running, I thought I should post something here. Listening to Radiohead's "Bullet Proof... I wish I was"

Limb by limb and tooth by tooth
Tearing up inside of me.
Everyday, everyhour, wish that I was..
Was bullet proof

Wax me, mould me
Heat the pins and stab them in.
You have turned me into this, just wish that it..
Was bullet proof

So pay me money, and take a shot
Lead fill the hole in me.
I could burst a million bubbles, all surrogate..
& bullet proof (slowdown, slowdown, slowdown)
Bullet proof (slowdown, slowdown, slowdown)

Monday, March 06, 2006

The Art of Talking

Whenever I go for an interview - formal or otherwise, I would be a nervous wreck! I would start to sweat (so much that shaking hands is an embaressment) and fidget in my seat like I was sitting on a pin-cushion. My face would be warm and a Joker-like grin would be plastered on it. I would also talk at a fast pace... And sometimes it's just gibberish! Gah! Why?
On the other spectrum, when faced an audience (i.e. more than two people!), I would get so scared that my mind would go blank and I would have a somber expression like something bad had happened to the world. Hmmm that bad thing happening would probably be me doing a speech. (The world's a stage, and it groans when Moshunter comes on to talk!)
It's been years. How do I get over this? A tutor once told me that some people are just like that. And the best way to overcome is to prepare something beforehand. But what about impromptu situations? Am I to sound like/worse than George Bush Jr. for the rest of my life? @_@.

I guess if I sound like the US President it would mean I'm as powerful! Kidding.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Caffeine is my friend

Today it was glorious sunshine until 3.55pm, then it's snow and ice. My life is like the weather at the moment. First boredom, then work that drops on me suddenly like a grand piano drops in a Warner Brother's cartoon.
I'm trying to do two experiments at once. On top of that, managing a run-down bar and fundraising. I've been sleeping at 2am every night for the past week... drinking Coke and Lucozade to keep me awake. But I still have five minutes to spare writing in this blog. Bleh! Right, best not waste my time.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Pro-Test

Saturday saw a large march by Pro-Test to support animal lab testing. Wearing mainly blue and white, they held signs like "Vegetarians against ALF" and chanted "Animal testing saves lives, build the Oxford animal lab!" as they walk around the Oxford Science area and parts of the city centre. They were well behaved and quite orderly as far as I could see. No angry phrases, no verbal attacks...
One street away, the anti-vivisection activist was doing their weekly march. But the two groups did not clash. Of course, the police made sure of that.
I am quite happy that finally people are voicing out their support for animal use in Science, despite the intimidation from animal rights activists. Maybe I'll join in next time.
But right now, work is pilling up like mountains. bleh!

Monday, February 20, 2006

Did I really saw Thom?

As I was cycling past the Natural History Museum on my way to work this morning, I so happened to glance up at the cyclist going in the opposite direction. The man was on one of those foldable cycles and his face looked somehow familiar. I stared for a moment... and then it hit me.

Did I just saw Thom Yorke?

I could have been mistaken... or did I? Heh, one of the things I'll never know for sure. But I'd like to think that I did see Thom, nothing like a little star-struckness to start the week...

Mondays are not so bad afterall. :)

Monday, February 13, 2006

Childhood memories: Labyrinth

I came across the song 'Magic Dance' by David Bowie the other day, which jolt my memory of the movie that song was played in. Labyrinth is one of my all time favourite movies still, and very much so during my childhood... I can't remember how many times I've watched it. One most dreamy scene I've found on youtube.com: The Masquerade!
For those who share my sentiments, enjoy the clip.



I didn't realise that the girl is Jennifer Connelly... no wonder I thought that actress in 'A Beautiful Mind' looked familiar. And of course, David Bowie is fantastic! ;)

Thursday, February 09, 2006

My other job...

Hee! Like I had nothing better to do. I've just got a job as bar co-manager. I hope I will get extra cash for this, and that I will have fun managing a smoke-free bar.
From mosquito genetics to bar managing. Let's see how I fare... all the same, I am excited.

*Goes power hungry*

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Listening to people talk...

Yesterday was the last of a lecture series that I had been going to held by Green College - Climate Change: Evidence, Effect and Evasive Action. It has been intriguing for attending this series that goes on every Monday evening for the last one month. It touches on the evidence of climate change, the impact it has on us all, problems facing us, and lastly what we need to do right now. I do hope people will take home the message in this series of lecture and make the effort in helping our environment. But what I like about this lectures are that the speakers are the experts and remain realistic... unlike some green evangelists I know.

Later that evening, I went to a religion versus science debate at the Oxford Union which was packed to the brim.
Not exactly what I thought it was going to be as I got the impression it was going to be a evolution versus intelligent design debate. But it turns out to be more on the lines of memetics versus religion. Well, I didn't know who was speaking until the actual debate started... (Speakers were: Susan Blackmore and Alistair McGrath)
But still, it was an interesting debate (from what I could hear of it) and I finally got to see what Dr. Blackmore look like. Not exactly what I thought she was going to be either ;).

Now I need some quiet...

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Down

The temperature outside is down to -2 Celcius. I have a headache and running at a higher core temperature.
There seems to be some sort of mini-epidemic in the house. I'm the latest and fourth victim. Hope my decision to take the day off will help me get better soon (well at least no need to cycle outside the cold) before I get as bad as one of my housemates. :(
I hate being ill.

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Happy Dog Year!

It's Chinese New Year's Eve today. For those who are celebrating, happy Chinese new year!
Have a good year ahead. Woof!

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Around Cardiff

Apart from being in Cardiff, I sometimes take short trips outside the city with friends. Wales is a beautiful place if you care to look...

Castell Coch (Castle Coch). Meaning The Red Castle. Located just outside the city. If you bother to walk upstream of the River Taff, you will eventually arrive here.



Some spring flowers blooming in the many hills of Wales.


Mumbles. Lovely seaside and places to go walking. Home of Catherine Zeta Jones I am told...


More Welsh Seaside... lovely.


Swansea City. About an hour's drive away from Cardiff.


Caerphilly Castle in Caerphilly. Not only do they have a cheese named after their city, they also have one of the oldest castles in the world.


Lake in the Breacon Beacons. Photo by Nat.


And you gotta have sheep in Wales! :) Photo by Nat.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The Mosquito Relocation

This morning we had to relocate all our mosquitoes and equipment to a new insectary next door. All the elbow grease... that plus the tropical condition of the insectaries while wearing a jumper is near torture. Meanwhile, outside temperature was -1 Celcius! I can't help but to laugh at the irony...

Monday, January 23, 2006

Attack of the Mosquitoes

Arrgh! The mosquitoes has escaped during the weekend and was happily flying around the insectary! The moment I stepped into the room they all went for me. I've just spent the last hour and a half trying to recapture/kill them while evade from being bitten.
Bleh! I hate it went there is a containment breach.

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Cardiff Revisited Part Two

Now down south is the bay. Here are some of the pictures...

Parts of Cardiff Bay still has its marshlands. This patch is protected for the interest of conservation.


The Millenium Centre. There is Ping demonstrating the size of the building. No, we did not see any TARDIS appearing at the time :(.


And here is Ping again nearer by the water. Bird book and binoculars in hand! :)

Friday, January 20, 2006

Cardiff Revisited Part One

I'd gone back to Cardiff for Nat's birthday celebration. It was fun. It was refreshing to come back to this city. So I thought to put up some pictures of Cardiff City I took for the past year...


Here is one of the animals on the stone wall along the street of Cardiff Castle.


Inner part of Cardiff Castle. This is the original bit of the castle. Other castle builidings was later on built in.


Cardiff's very own Clock Tower. I could hear it ringing from my old house!


A part of Cardiff City Centre and an alternate view of the clock tower. Photo by Ping.


The Welsh dragon on Cardiff Town Hall roof.


Millenium Stadium as seen from a bridge in Bute Park.


Another bridge in Bute Park that I always cross during my evening jogs in the summer.


Cricket game during summertime.


The centre piece in the Univerisity Park (or is it Garden?).

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Hardy creatures

Wahey! An actual mosquito post!

Before I left for London during the Christmas break, I decided to kill off my adult Aedes aegypti colony. This is done by getting rid of their food and water. They should then die fairly quickly. Surprisingly, they are still alive. On top of that, Aedes aegypti eggs can be kept on dry paper for months. And to hatch them, just simply add them to a tub of water! It goes to show how hardy these creatures are, and so such successful pests.

What do the eggs look like?

Okay, not the most brilliant picture... but here is a female adult (dead) with some eggs (hers probably). It's the black stuff by the way! And the size of one egg (circled red) is about the size of this comma (,).
So if you live in a place with Aedes mosquitoes, and have some odd desire to find their eggs... check damp areas like wet grounds or water containing vessels (including natural ones like rock pools, puddles, leaf axils and tree holes). Note that the eggs tend to stick to the sides of vessels that contains/recently contained water.

Hope that was useful information...

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Shut the F*** Up!

Grrr! Second day at work and those buggers are back screaming their lungs and brains out about their supposed love for animals. Here I am trying to work on some gene sequences and for the last 3 hours I get them as this irritating background noise! Shut up! shut up! shut up!

Well, at least I get the satisfaction of them freezing outside. It's 1 degree Celcius at the moment... Maybe some of them will catch a nasty cold/flu/pneumonia that they need medicines that had probably been tested on animals before (snicker). Okay, I need not to be mean... bah!

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Fair Trading

A little Christmas present was given to me couple of days before I left for London for the Holidays (oh yeah, now I'm back in Oxford). And that present has left me thinking and somewhat a little guilty... they were Divine Fairtrade Milk Chocolate Coins.
I have always been supportive of getting rid of poverty, hence the support for Live 8. But thinking back of my actions, I realised that I've never really bothered to make sure that I buy fair trade things. Have I been contradicting myself all this while? Could it be that I've been buying sugar at the expense of some poor farmer in Central America?...
Later, I've rummaged through my cupboard, but none of the products bore that Fairtrade logo. My heart sank. Luckily, a quick surf on the internet informed me that my Twinnings tea has a fair trade policy. So was my Cadbury's cocoa powder...
Earlier today, I've gone to my local supermarket for a bit of shopping. And for the first time I actually checked for Fairtrade labelled products :). Now I'm not one that makes new year resolutions, but I'm definitely making a resolution to be fair trade aware and buy products that has an ethical trade policy.
So little does the giver of that present know that his gift was not only just nice chocolates for the Christmas cheer, but a reminder for me to do my part in making poverty history.
Thanks.

Find out more about Fairtrade.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

The Year that was

New friends
from different walks of life
a gathering for Live 8
and another for July 7
Then a new opportunity
To a new city
More new faces
from new places
remembrance of a sad event
Which a friend could not prevent
A peaceful Christmas holiday
at least for me
And now a new year
and hopes for a better one
again

Friday, December 30, 2005

The New Year Looms

I hope everyone who was celebrating Christmas has had a good one. It's the day before New Year's Eve and I've been spending my holidays in London... I've been stuffing myself with the loads of panettone, espressos and hot chocolate! Christmas dinner was lovely! Goose... mmmm...
It's been raining non-stop today. Bah! So much for the snow that was promised. There was a bit of snowing couple of days back... So what to do on a rainy cold afternoon? update blog while listening to my itunes. David Gray is singing about December now...
Anyway, can't wait for the New Year now, though I may just skip going to Westminster for this New Year countdown as the tube will be on strike... again! Nothing new for the new year innit?
May 2006 be a fantastic one for every one of you. Hmmm... I haven't even thought of my resolutions yet. But then again, I'm not much of a fan for that, I tend to think resolutions can be made at anytime of the year. Heh.

Happy New Year all.

" Oh my mind, what happened to the time. December."
-David Gray

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Ice Garden


Braving the sub-zero temperature, I went to the Ice Garden exhibit at the Clarendon Quad by Evolving City. It featured several ice sculptures and artic images and sounds.



Two blocks of melting glacier ice blocks on ropes. Note the layers inside...


Ten 2m columns of ice. Popular with the kids and photographers...


Cool ice lenses...


Large graphic film. Again popular with the kids.


And as I exit the garden, ahead was the Bridge of Sighs which I thought was enchanting and fitting for the end.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Happy Birthday, Ping!

It's Ping's Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Ping! Hope it's a good one!

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Angry

At first it looked as though there is a major accident that had happened. But the commotion was actually caused by the protesters again! Today they are more angry than I have seen before. Some cried, some singing, shouting, blowing horns, banners flying, pickets waving... Basically looked like a football after-match celebration, except that the mob was angry and not happy.
As I got closer, I found that they were all over the street, including the entrance of my building. Some people plus myself just stood there before the exit, unsure whether to test the crowd outside or not. The reception quickly told us to get out through the side-door and avoid the mess as the police (there must be as many police officers as the protesters!) tries to get them away from our building. They aren't supposed to be so near afterall, come to think of it... were they allowed to protest today?. So we quietly sneaked out, thank goodness for side-doors! A researcher wasn't happy though and cursed as the side-door leads to safety but it is as well a large detour.
Now I hope that my bicycle ourside is intact when I go home this evening.

On a lighter note, there is news about a possible new species in Borneo has been discovered by WWF. How exciting! I wish I could be these people sometimes!

Thursday, December 01, 2005

The Battle continues...

Woo! Construction is to continue on the Oxford biomedical research facility. Now then maybe the lab animals can have a better place to be housed in. This means that police will be around more often to the Science Area. I hope that will discourage the bicycle thieves too. It's shameful how crazy security gets in Oxford University buildings, yet people have their bicycle stolen very often... right in front of their buildings even!

Meanwhile... take that you terrorists! :P

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Powering up... oops power is down!

The new power plant is opened to tackle the country's energy shortage, but some people did not appreciate that.

No wonder Lord May of Oxford today had said that "Sadly, for many, the response is to retreat from complexity and difficulty by embracing the darkness of fundamentalist unreason." in his final speech as Royal Society President.

Now let's look at the logic of turning to atomic energy:
1. Use of certain atoms to create energy by striking it usually with a neutron, the unstable nucleus of the atom will then split, releasing lots of energy. This will then trigger a chain reaction as more neutrons are released from the atom. Atoms used are usually uranium.
2. Highly efficient, very low CO2 emissions, and not very susceptible to fuel price changes (and not a lot of uranium is needed anyway).
3. Expensive to build, but the energy output is about twice the amount of a fossil fuel power station.
4. Problem: Radioactive waste. Where to put them?

Unfortunately, when one thinks of a nuclear power plant, it is immediately associated with atomic bombs or Chernobyl.

Now let's look at the alternative (for producing large amounts of energy):
1. Wind power: Renewable, "eco-friendly", quite cheap and the exploitation has been in use for a long time (think windmills!). Very promising considering that the country has such good winds! But the actual energy efficiency? Though this concept is good, I think there is a limit to how many wind turbines we can build as UK is such a small island. And there is a problem that some people says it's ugly and/or noisy...
2. Hydro power: Hydroelectric is renewable too, still quite cheap and "eco-friendly" in the sense that it will not produce any pollution. But the building of the dams which means submerging lots of land area is a major environmental issue. And of course, this method is reliant to the amount of rainfall.
3. Fossil fuel power: Basically burning up fuel and generating power that way. Not efficient. Fossil fuel power includes coal, gases, oil. Cheap, but produces lots of pollutants and of course CO2 emission high. Pollutants release sometimes causes acid rain. And as energy is not renewable, fuel prices goes up and up and up...
4. Solar power: In Britain? Get real. You can use it to generate some energy but not efficient to power the country (unless technology improves).
5. Biofuels power: Like fossil fuels, but renewable as fuel source is from crops and can be sometimes methane from animal excretions. Polluting by emitting lots of CO2 and other gases and particulates that you get when you burn stuff. No risk of acid rain. Good idea, but the current method is not cost-effective and needs refining.
6. Wave and tidal power: Like solar, it is not enough to power the country, the technology is way behind.

I'm opposed to using power generating by combustion and hydroelectric dams for obvious reasons! We should stop using these as soon as we can by switching to alternatives.

Now I'm not saying that we should all turn to atomic energy, but it is a good option. When weighed with all the pros and cons, nuclear at this stage seems to make sense. Unless you want government to ignore the energy shortage! Nuclear is needed until science in renewable energy improves... or when many of us can really cut down on energy consumption. But that is difficult for many of us, as we want machines to do our daily chores and heating/cooling and lights etc... And that requires lots of energy.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Warning label

Yeah that's what I feel like today...
Moshunter may explode without warning
M
EXPLOSIVE

Username:

From Go-Quiz.com

Thursday, November 24, 2005

What's the fusc?

So the formal dinner at one of many colleges was not bad at all.
But I just don't understand one thing: the tradition of wearing a gown. Why did we have to wear a gown to dinner? What is the point of that? and what is the point of the college staff sitting at this high table and mumble something in latin before the meal?
Really, hierachy of this nature should not be needed anymore. All the fusc for what? We are only here to socialise and eat for goodness sake.
Okay. Other than that it was a nice night. Lots of alcohol consumed and meeting new faces.

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Fog as thick as my brain

Bleh what a day... no sun but fog and more fog. Looks like it's gonna stay this way for the rest of the day, and it's seriously affecting my brain power, or whatever that is left of it anyway.
No matter, at least there is a (free) dinner tonight amidst all this blurriness. But the thought of socialising with new people will be somewhat of a welcome, even though the dinner is a black tie event (please brain please be in working order by tonight and don't let me say anything stupid!!). Heh, that is Oxford for you... fun and formal...

Oh and did a silly blog personality test thing on Blogthings:
Your Career Type: Investigative

You are precise, scientific, and intellectual.
Your talents lie in understanding and solving math and science problems.

You would make an excellent:

Architect - Biologist - Chemist
Dentist - Electrical Technician - Mathematician
Medical Technician - Meteorologist - Pharmacist
Physician - Surveyor - Veterinarian

The worst career options for your are enterprising careers, like lawyer or real estate agent.


Well then, I guess I'm in the right career path...

Thursday, November 17, 2005

Sunny Frost?

The morning was clear and bright. But as I walked out of the door, the cold hit me, and I realised the cars and grass had a layer of frost over them. What a start to the day. Got to work on my bike, making my own smoke screen as I exhale and thus blurred my own vision. And by the time I reached my destination, I felt like a block of ice. Must remember to put on my gloves or else I'll be permanently stuck to the handlebars. Looks like it's going to be a cold season... Might as well, and maybe the Thames will spew it's banks and freeze over Port Meadow and then all of Oxford can go skating. Whee!

Thursday, November 10, 2005

Autumn season

Conkers are falling
leaves are turning
Autumn is coming
The air is getting colder
And the days are getting shorter
Autumn is not over

Okay okay so that is not the most brilliant poem ever, but I made it up as I biked to work. I love the autumn season, but then again it rains every other day and that is just crap for me who has to cycle on the wet street with fallen wet leaves smacking my face...

Monday, October 31, 2005

Halloween weekend


Happy Halloween people! Even if you don't believe in such a thing, don't you just love to have that excuse to dress up as some freak or other? hehehe!
Here is one party I went to and the host thought it funny to have the bathroom done up too...

Thursday, October 27, 2005

There they go again...

I am quite annoyed at these so called animal lovers! There they are again outside. This time they aren't so quite, as they got a loud speaker with them. The police seemed more agitated now I think, because today the camera was in use. The nasty protesters were so noisy that I could hear them from my office.
Okay, need to stop whining about them. It is what they want I suppose.

"Words fall from our mouths, Like plates from shaking hands, Smash upon the silence, Of the smooth naked canal.
I'm evil and a heathen, I'm a heathen and evil like you, There's not a lot I couldn't do.
I like how you pretend, That the end will be the end, So fill your thirst, Drink a curse, To the death of death instead.
I'm evil and a heathen, I'm a heathen and evil like you, There's not a lot I wouldn't do"
-Franz Ferdinand

On another matter. Prof Sir Richard Southwood has passed away on Wednesday morning. The world of entomology will miss him :_(

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Walk away

Today, I got my first glimpse of the animal rights protesters. They were on the opposite side of the road, while the police stood on the the other. The activists hung banners and held their pickets; and the police armed with cameras, and even a video-camera apart from their usual gear. And there was siIence, save for a car or bicycle that passes by occasionally. I can't help to feel the tension in the air as I walk pass them (police side, of course). I had half expected shouting and insults to be heard from the activists, but I guess that is what the police are hoping to film. Yet, their presence is felt as they look straight at the empty construction site behind the police that is to be a block of research labs. But then I gave a shrug, walked away, and went on with my day.
Though today's demonstration seemed calm, I know that is just deception. The damages they did to the university buildings and threatening letters they've sent speak for themselves.

"Mascara bleeds a blackened tear. And I am cold. Yes, I'm cold. But not as cold as you are. I love the sound of you walking away. Why don't you walk away?"
- Franz Ferdinand

Friday, October 14, 2005

Mazes and security doors

I'm still adjusting to the fact that my maze-like building is so strict about security. Due to some misguided animal lovers, nearly every door to a corridor is locked. And only special tags can open them, in addition to swipe cards at the main entrance of the building. I overheard a researcher cursing under his breath when he encountered another locked door and had to fumble for the tag again. I don't blame him... Apart from opening doors to get to one place and another (or getting lost) in my building, I'm glad to see that the insectary down in the basement is large and has a healthy stock of mosquitoes of different species. Only thing is that safety procedures mean special lab coats and gloves to be worn in there :(. And of course, no photos. Now if I can just remember the way...

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Location, location, location

After a bit of break, it is time to get back to life as we think we know. So I left my job, and also my previous home in Cardiff. I'm now starting anew again in... Oxford!
My first impression is that I will like it here, though am filled with self-doubt that I am not brainy enough for this city. I will be doing research here (in mosquitoes still, surprise surprise!) and so far the people I've met are friendly and extremely smart (too smart!). Arrgh! I hope I can survive!