jan - mar 2003

[080103] The scientific explanation of one of Nature’s wonderful phenomena has never left it standing like an unmasked sorcerer who has lost his reputation for magic. The real causes are always grander, more awe-inspiring even than the most beautiful myths.

- Konrad Lorenz

[100103] my current research is on axon guidance, e process by which nerve cells grow in e correct direction to connect e right places: [1] what are e signals that tell e nerve cells to grow, stop, or change direction? & [2] how do e nerve cells receive & interpret these signals?

African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) embryo, viewed under 40X magnification:



actual size is less than 2mm in length, & I have to isolate spinal nerve cells from it.

[050203] yesterday was e fourth day of e first lunar month, year of e water goat. I left IMCB at 8pm after reading 15 journal papers on Xenopus & zebrafish early embryogenesis & gastrulation - when I looked up to e sky & saw e crescent moon, e first thing that came to mind was a zebrafish embryo at e end of gastrulation....

[250303] e latest cat I've 'adopted' - Shima, a stuffed toy cat from e nohohon ('without a care') character series. according to e nohohon website: 'Shima ia a liberal, optimistic cat that expresses her emotion honestly. She is always positive and constructive.'




[300303] happy things:



one day Pig-pig & I walked into a giftshop at Centrepoint & got addicted to e scent in e air....walked around hunting for e source until we found a big fat scented candle burning near e cashier's till....



thanks to Kayla for introducing me to 'mochi ice cream' at China Square Central Sushi Tei *grin*

[270403 update] even better: yuzu (Japanese citrus fruit that looks like small yellow mandarin oranges) ice cream, also from Sushi Tei =) extremely satisfied cat!!



[ filed under: labrat + thewonderingstraycat + 9_lives_2003 + cats1 + catfood ]

if we hold on together

[110303] something meaningful that e whole school was made to sing together back in RGS. think this song is from e movie 'The Land Before Time':


Don't lose your way with each passing day
You've come so far don't throw it away
Live believing dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story, faith, hope & glory
Hold to the truth in your heart
If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

Souls in the wind must learn how to bend
Seek out a star hold on to the end
Valley, mountain, there is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying, someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I

- Diana Ross


[ filed under: thewonderingstraycat + 9_lives_2003 ]