1 more week to go!

DNA. The topic of the 21st century.

For those not of the science background, DNA is seen as the ultimate genetic makeup of the human body- essentially, what makes us, US. They cringe at the mere mention of genetic manipulation, stem cell research, bad bacteria mutating into a man-made monster, and mad scientists creating the ultimate virus/cure for cancer in an underground lab.

Greenpeace, Green Party, and many other "green-loving" organisations bash anything that has to do with genetic engineering/manipulation. They go to the extreme of pulling out genetically engineered crops from plantations, or the not-so-extreme of advertising no-GE foodstuffs. They claim that as scientists manipulate and mutate organisms, we are acting as God- defying nature.

Those having at least some science background know DNA as being made up of the 4 bases- A, C, T, and G. These four simple bases are linked together in different arrangements, forming stretches of bases which get transcribed and translated into functional products = genes. Mutations in some genes lead to cancer, diseases, etc.

The story started with these 2 guys, Watson and Crick. The race to solve the structure of DNA was won by them. Since then, DNA has been portrayed as the double helix.

Then we started seeing DNA everywhere...

In architecture,

...in books/movies,

...and even in cellphones

...and as the symbol of my favourite tv show, Heroes

... and just recently, TIME magazine has announced the retail DNA test, 23andMe, as the 2008 invention of the year. For just US$399 and a tube of saliva, testing results can tell you whether you're more susceptible to over 90 types of cancers and diseases.

I personally think the idea is of pure genius. Such a simple concept, but it's one of a kind in the market. It became quite controversial, of course, with people worrying about how a person's privacy can be kept, and of the various ethical issues related with inherited diseases.

I can't wait till the day when $1000 is all we need to get our genome sequenced.

***I can't believe I just blogged about DNA. This is what studying too much has done to me. =P

Getting there. Slowly.

2 down, 2 more to go!

Bioc353 was HARD. I felt so sleepy during the exam! First time ever. At least it confirmed my decision in NOT taking biochemistry as my honours major next year. Hopefully would still get at least a B+ in that.

This weekend would be all about studying, studying, and more studying. Bioc354 is on Monday, then Micr336 on Tuesday. After that, freedom awaits me. Oh wait, I spoke too soon. I'll have to pack up 3 years' worth of stuff into boxes, clean up my room, run some errands, and pack luggage to go back home!

I've been complaining a lot about my Singapore Airlines flight from Spore to Christchurch in Feb. Apparently SIA has this nonsense rule about not allowing us to book connecting one way flights using different airlines- which means I can't book a cheap MAS or AirAsia flight from Kuching to Spore, then use SIA from Spore to Chch. If I want to, I'd have to pay the SIA flight ticket in SGD, which makes the price escalate to RM8000++.

So my plan was to just forfeit the SIA ticket from Kch to Sg (had to stay overnight at Changi, which I didn't want to), buy a separate ticket from MAS to fly to Sg on the same day itself. Which all made perfect sense to good old stubborn me UNTIL I started getting upset and thank goodness for knocking some sense into me guys- I decided to just go along with whatever mum thinks is best- which is: to arrive at Spore from Kuching on the 21st, stay overnight at Changi airport (maybe head to town for a while), then fly off to Chch on the night of 22nd of Feb. Troublesome, but sigh that is the best choice for now.

My accomodation in Spore has been confirmed, people! I'm going to stay at Evans Lodge for 3 months- price is $470 a month including electricity. No linen and food provided, but oh wells, Spore food heaven right. I'll gather up layers of fat in my tummy to keep warm during winter next year. Which reminds me: I'll need to start emailing/leaving msn messages on those people in Sg for a meet up.

Sooo many things to plan, to buy, to bring, to do, and to pack!

But for now, studying is the number 1 priority. But I want to go watch the Full Monty musical tomorrow night!!! Super talented Michelle got the role of the 1st pianist so she'll be playing throughout the show- must be more than 10 shows. Cost is $37+ for students I think- venue is at the Mayfair theatre. Go support her and see guys strip!

Anyway. I love this list of shoppers taken from NZ Herald website:

I'm not sure which one am I: a treater or a clothcutter. Which one are you?

Go light your world

Janice and Greg left for Christchurch this morning, then arriving in S'pore in a few days' time. I'll still have the chance to meet up with them there, but for others like Ray and Mich, last night was the last time we could have dinner together THIS YEAR.

So we, self proclaimed food lovers, decided to have a little get together again before everyone left for the summer. As Michelle had the Full Monty play rehearsal and Alex was on duty until 11pm, dinner (or shall I say supper?) started at around midnight. Ray and Greg made super delicious roast chicken, kumara/leeks, really yummy (and oily) gravy for the chicken, and spaghetti.

Dinner was (as Ray would say) SUPER AWESOME. (thumbs up sign)

We rubbed our bellies and talked for a while... until the 2 cakes were served. =P

The 2 cakes were meant to be early birthday cakes for Sam (Dec baby) and Alex (Feb baby), but somehow everyone started mock blowing the cake ("flame" provided by Greg, haha!), then each of us cut the cake once. We had to mock blow as the candles weren't even lit.


So in a way, we celebrated every one's birthday at one go last night. It was really significant and meaningful as it meant that by next year, we can no longer celebrate each other's birthdays all together, like how we've been doing for the past 3 years.

It's sad to see so many of you guys leaving: the Pancakes (Sam & Alex), the Grapes (Greg & Jan), and May May; and it's so hard to let go of friends so close I can call family, but we can't all stay in Dunedin forever =P We came here to study, built bonds, took care & cooked for each other, graduate, then leave this town with life-long memories (and gigabytes of pictures). And of course, we'll keep in touch by calling and annoying each other 24/7 hehehe. I'm also counting on that proposed ski trip/Hillsong next year- I've been here for almost 4 years now and still have NOT skied!

***

Last Monday during cell group, we planned a special "leaving" ceremony for those who are leaving. EVERYTHING was super emotional, haha. From praise and worship (the guitarists playing together at cell for the last time), to giving testimonials, and to full on crying during the lighting of the candles.

I came prepared, knowing that I'll cry when I see others cry too. What I didn't expect was to see the grown men cry too =P I went from just shedding a tear to full-on sobbing when Alex and Ray spoke. The tissue box had to be passed around the room as more and more people cried. I compiled a video of the history and memories of Lighthouse Fellowship from 2006 to 2008, and I'm glad it did touch the hearts of some. After all the crying and hugging sessions, we stayed around for food, more chit chat, and ended up leaving only at 2.30am. I think we broke the record for the longest cell group session ever.

At times I take this amazing cell group for granted. But looking back at how we started, and how much we've grown over the years, and the seeds that we've planted even in the hearts of non Christians- all the planning and sleepless nights (especially during shine 08!) were so worth it.

There's about 34 of us now in 2008, compared to just 6 in 2006 when we first started. At least 9 would be leaving next year, which brings the number down to 25. 2009- a new year, who knows how many more new members we'd get to include in this family?

Tagged

Did you know that the Vice Chancellor actually earned between $460,000 and $469,000 last year? Read more here. I wonder if I'll ever make that much money in the span of 5 years.

***

Tagged by Samantha W.


1. What’s your ambition?

If I really have the guts, time, and talent- a rockstar as mentioned.
A more realistic one is being a freelance photojournalist.

2. Who is more important to you? Friends or boy/girlfriend?
Friends. Full stop. At least for now ;)

3. How often do you think of commiting suicide?
I love living too much to even have time to THINK about ending my life.

At the Dunedin harbour, 2007 during a supposed fishing trip.
The closest I ever got to jumping off something.

My mum once thought I WANTED to commit suicide. I was about 6 or 7 then, I somehow ended up standing ON the window sill- 3rd floor of a building, facing the Tabuan Jaya (in Kuching) market. The aunties (they knew me/mum well) rushed to my mum and started shouting "don't jump!!!". I was just having fun- until I saw my mum crying and had to convince her I really wasn't thinking of commiting suicide at all.

4. Do you think you have enough confidence?
Nobody can ever have enough confidence. Yes there are times when I wished I could speak as well as those who can sell anything in their hands in 5 minutes, even if it was just a normal ball point pen. But I do have confidence in the things I set my mind & heart to accomplish- if I want something badly enough, I'll find a way to realise it. Does that qualify as having confidence?

5. How many babies you want?
Ask me again when I have a ring on my left hand wedding finger.

6. Do you believe in seeing a rainbow after the rain?
I believe in seeing TWO rainbows after the rain.

7. What is your goal for this year?
Gain the experience needed for my degree at GIS, S'pore.

8. Do you believe in eternity love?
Eternal love? Eternity on earth is probably a millionth of a second's worth of time in heaven. The answer to that question is NO. There is no such thing as eternal love on earth; and I never liked the use of adjectives in describing love anyway.

9. What's the most annoying question you had ever gotten from one of these so-called memes? (this is the one I added)
Refer to question number 11.

10.What feeling do you love most?
Content.

11. What are the requirements you wish from the other half?
Ok fine, here's 3.
I'm a light sleeper; therefore he must be one as well ;)
Able to turn my frown into a smile.
He must love cooking, eating, and cleaning up (future Mrs Pancake- inside joke :P but it's true!)

12. Is there anything you wanna tell the ppl you hate ?
-__- No comment.

13. Do you cherish every single friendship of yours?
yes, yes, and YES.

14. What does flying means to you?
Going across continents. Jetlags. Seeing my family again.

15. What do you crave for the most currently?
Sleep. End of exams.

16. Who's hotter, Chace Crawford or Kevin Peake?
Neither. (I had to google Kevin Peake). UGH.

17. Describe the person who tagged you in 7 words.
Random blogger about to come to Otago.

18. What have you done to make yourself happy?
Make others happy.

19. What will u become in another 10 years to come?
A biotechnologist? (hopefully)
A wife, mum to a few kids, aunties to mini pancakes/yeos/grapes/chius?
Owner of a big-as SLR, a shiny black grand piano, owner of a red mini cooper...

20. What is your fear?
Losing the ones I love

Who follows the instructions anyway? I refuse to tag anyone. Do if you have nothing else better to do.

P.S. I have zero tolerance to all sorts of chain letters and tags- that include those pitifulsympatheticsosad emails with pictures of dying babies or cancer patients. Especially those that end with threats and the "pass this on if you consider me a friend..." phrases.

It's 4.36am. I should get back to studying. =P

Hail Halo

It is now 4.00am.

I'm awake. Very awake. For once, it's not caffeine that's keeping my eyelids from drooping.

It's this.

Halo 3!!!

I know I know I should be studying/sleeping. But I gave in to the temptation for 1 or 2 hours of playing halo with May, Ray, and Alex. The intensity of the games alone was enough to make my palms sweaty and keep my adrenaline pumping.

Wooo. Goal of the day: study, watch the beautiful sunrise at 6am-ish, then (maybe) take out my camera to snap a few photos of dawn appearing. =)

UPDATE*** a few hours later...

Managed to squeeze more biochem facts into my head, then went out of the house (still on Queen Street- it was cold!) with May to take a few photos of sunrise (not that beautiful today due to the high clouds, but OH WELLS), studied some more, and slept at 7.30am. Life is too precious to miss out on the sunrises.