我的快樂 會回來的

8/09/2007

Daffodils and camellia

This month marks the beginning of spring. Our daffodils at home are blooming, and camellias are opening like mad, too. Spring is back to greet us and even though it was frosty yesterday, every time it rained, the temperature raises a little bit. Winter is unrelenting, but it will give way to spring eventually. Dad planted the strawberries in our vegetable garden.
This week is very busy both at work and after work. I went to watch Floorplay: Burn the floor last night. It was such a good show! I love Latin dances, Tango and Pasadoble. Dancing with the Stars, both in U.S. and in New Zealand, has made ballroom dancing popular again. I think it is a great way to exercise and socialise. It is not bad to watch other people doing it, either. Very entertaining and hot.
Fuzzy has three tests this week so she's flat out studying. I have Quiz Night tonight, then on Saturday, the cocktail evening. I need the relaxation because work is so hectic this week. I have so many Westerns to run that I lost count. Good time management is the key, I can do this. I am learning new techniques and the chance of running a full Western with ECL does not come everyday. I've also been helping/teaching Erik how to do full Westerns, too. It's not easy! Especially when I put on the iBlot and it just wouldn't work. So frustrating.
The weather let up a bit yesterday so it was sunny. I hope this weekend the weather will not be too wet so I can enjoy the party.

7/31/2007

Gentle lady under pile of clothing fighting pirates

Fuzzy spent her morning with me before I drove her to university for her eight o'clock lecture, and today her language in the morning was appallingly dirty that's too obscene to repeat on my blog, so I choose not to type them here. However, it was also my happiest time and I love spending time with my sister before the day officially begun. She is opinionated, loud, and true to every word. She is not pretentious, vicious, or even defensive. The best thing about our car ride is that I know I can relax without the music, and I know that she will talk to me without parent's worrying thoughts, or the chatter of our friends. We are two sisters bullshitting together, and we love doing it.
The day started with all the people working on Vic's trial. I had the scale all to myself, making new broth and putting on my experiment in the morning. They didn't even come for morning tea, as Erik complained in the afternoon when he took out his morning tea from the fridge. It was a complain you can ignore because he certainly wasn't bored.
Miel came back for a while and I badgered him with the development of the discussion with Matt and The Simpson movie. He said that Matt will just see how it goes with Sophie, and the movie is hilarious. I am glad that he enjoyed the movie, but he didn't bring me back my money so I will have to get it off him sometime this week.
I managed to get my experiment going on schedule, but the protein just kept coming, and coming, and coming. Yay! I am glad that I got some this time because there weren't much last time.
The gang came back after lunch. I told Carole the good news about my experiment. Erik quickly ran out of the door for his lunch, and Kelly stayed behind. I walked to Innovation Park for my lunch. It was delicious! Cajun chicken melt and savoury muffin were both nice, and mocha was sweet and warm. The walk back was a good exercise.
Ai was sad about me leaving the group and joining the upstair people. I won't be there all the time and she won't be able to do experiments with me. Oh! I will still be there, don't worry, girl. I can always go to Japan and visit her if she goes back, too. There's airplane now.
The discussion started when Erik and Miel labelled the casettes and weight boats for tomorrow's experiment. Erik was talking about bargirls in Kremlin. He talked about some Russian chicks and Cuban girl he met up North. God! I almost fainted listening to him talking about other girls. I had to pull myself together in front of the computer when I was entering the data. I almost started crying right there on the spot. That wouldn't be a wise move, and will be highly embarassed and difficult to explain, but I was lucky that it didn't happen.
Erik went on to say that his family's boat was anchored down 18 years ago and the trees have grown around the boat. If you want to sail it, you have to cut the trees down, otherwise it's impossible. I think his parents are determined not to sail again for a long time so trees have blocked the yacht/catamaran. Just trying to picture the monstrous trees that can block a ten metre yacht from moving, they must be huge. Miel was so excited about this that if Erik ever move the boat, he's gonna tell his dad who loves sailing. They then exchange the details about snowboarding boots. Miel has got an old pair that he can part with, and Erik wants a new pair. Miel will bring the boots to work tomorrow, and Erik will bring them home to try. He loves snowboarding, and will go at the last week of August and first week of September. That's when his work finishes here, and Murray will put up a small do for him in the tearoom. We are going to have some beer and have meaningless/meaningful discussion about absolutely nothing. Haha.
We talked about child abuse in the morning, and the topic in the afternoon was a bit more positive. Kelly said that she used to hide under a pile of clothing, and Erik said that she can just sleep under a pile of labcoats. They have to be clean labcoats, of course. Hmm....it's so cute and warm. Pirates! Erik said his dad, Alphonse, is a pirate. A lot of people say that he is. Hmm, Alphonse the Pirate. Ken reckons that he just doesn't sound like a pirate, but I looked it up and it meant: ready to battle, so it can be a good pirate's name. It's just not baudy enough. The boat discussion went on, and he said that the boat is too small for more than three people. You've got to settle down somewhere, too. I guess that his mum just decided that it's time to live on land again, or maybe they both decided to live in New Zealand for good. He smiled when I asked him whether his mum was a pirate or not, and that smile was so gentle and sweet. His mum must be a nice lady to have such a gentle, caring, and sweet son. We talked about more pirates, pirate flag, mullet roe, and Alex joined in the discussion about catching big fish. I had to go back to my experiment then. I had to finish.
Erik was reading Tommo and Hawk before I went to TC to sterile filter the sample. He went home when I came back.
I drove home feeling tired and turned on the radio. Some strange new music came out, but Stables was on. He's back after extensive sick leave due to mystery illness (maybe I am just not in the loop enough so I don't know what he's got). Anyway, mum was the only one there at home and we talked about everything that happened today. She complained to me about dad not doing anything and I told her that is just how he is. If you tell him to do something, he's not going to do it. Weird man.
Fuzzy is already asleep, and I am going to have a shower and sleep soon. I have wrote a poem on Cornershop of Seashell and Turtle today. I also told Monica that I am going to take up her offer of working for the upstair group after my contract finishes. It's just amazingly easy for me to find another job. I also received an e-mail from the company that I applied to. I will wait when the time comes and if they want to interview me, I may still go ahead with it. I am thinking of not going to the interview if the whole contract thing is sorted by then. It will be better if I stay in Hamilton.
I am so tired after all this typing. However, I have more time to write now.

7/30/2007

Volleyball game on fire!

The rain just poured down from the sky on Sunday. Where did all this water come from? They must all come from Australia! I doubt that the rain stopped at all on Sunday, and it was quite cold in the afternoon as well.
An-chi came to visit us in the new house for the first time. I texted Erik to ask him politely to come and see us, but he said: "Sorry, I can't, I am busy." Fuzzy texted Sarah, and she was practicing table tennis. An-chi lived up to our expectations and brought poppy seed muffins for afternoon tea. Mum gave her radish cake. We talked about university, mutual friends, and her cousin. She may travel to Shanghai in the future, and dad told her how to get a permit from Chinese Ambassy in Auckland. Dad used to travel to Russia from China, and it was handy to have a permit issued from the ambassy. She also bought a new sewing machine, and no doubt will alter her pants and jeans everyday(!)
I suddenly became really sad when I went to bed last night. I had no idea why, tears started to stream down my face and I dreaded Erik leaving in five weeks. Who am I kidding? In the end, I just decided to pull myself together and stopped crying. There was no use crying about it, and when the time comes, there's leaving lunch to be organised, cards to be signed, and goodbye to be said. All good things come to an end, and if we are lucky, then we will see each other again. I am sure that we will, it's just a matter of cosmic interference and human intervention. I just hope that I am brave enough to intervene and not just let cosmic do all the interferring. Or, if I take Erik's attitude, I will see what happens when the time comes and act accordingly. Everything seems to turn out fine that way. I guess I am lucky.
I got early this morning because couldn't fall asleep after an internal struggle. Tried on the white top and pink jersey, but the pink jersey just didn't fit into the whole outfit so I disgarded it. By the time I was dressed, it's already 7! The television was going on about child abuse and two kids from Rotorua had been sent to Starship hospital this week for injuries. What's happening to New Zealand kids? What's happening to New Zealand caregivers? Why aren't we doing something to protect the most vulnerable and most precious future in our country? It's dead simple, don't abuse your kids! Don't hit them so many times that they start bleeding and won't stop crying. Is it so hard to do? That's not hard. Just stop and think about what you are doing before you act. Exercise constrain.
Driving to work proved to be nice and easy after listening to the abuse on TV. Erik wasn't there, though. He came in half an hour late, and asked me whether there's a meeting this morning or not. There's normally a meeting on Monday morning, but after our bosses left, we hadn't have one in ages. There's no meeting today, I told him.
I went on with my experiment. Kelly and Erik would make some buffers today, and Erin will get Erik to do some PCR for her tomorrow. He doesn't have much to do today.
I am always looking forward to volleyball games, and because there's not much going on in the lab today, I felt really excited about the game. We tried to rustle up six people, and succeeded after two attempts. We did really well and won two games. We didn't get into pace in the first game, and lost by several points in the end. However, Alex's strong serves, Zhidong and Eriks' accurate serves both helped us earn lots of points. Miel and Allan also had surprises up their sleeves. I managed to pull off some beautiful saves, too. My serves had improved somewhat, but still missed several opportunities. I love playing volleyball! The game is on next Monday, I can't wait.
Things went even slower in the afternoon. I went to take some money out from the bank so Miel can go to The Simpsons movie tonight. Monica told us that it's possible that I can work for Christ around September for Shelly's maternity leave. Yay! I may not have to find another job afterall. It's so much pressure trying to send out CVs and coverletters. I also have to prepare for interviews. However, it will still have to be done because nothing is concrete yet. I will wait for Miel to decide what he's gonna do tomorrow, if he's going to work for the cheese factory, then I will tell Monica that I will go for the job she is offering me. She will have to talk with Carole and Gina tomorrow. Things will become clearer soon. I am glad that this opportunity has came up.
Mum's cooking dinner and beef soup will be great for this winter evening. I am not sad about Erik anymore. He's not leaving until the end of August, and with the possibility of a new job offer on the table, how can I cry? Everything will turn out well in the end.
I will be busy doing my experiment tomorrow, hopefully I will get good results so three days work is not wasted. "Lord of Ice" is an interesting book, I am totally hooked by it. Gaelen Foley is a great author. I want to read more of her books.
Erik is reading Bryce Courtney's Tommo & Hawk. It is the second book in a series, starting with The Potato Factory. I wonder whether I can borrow that book from the city library or not.
Just hope it will stop raining for a while so we can enjoy the sun for a bit.

7/27/2007

Thank God it's Friday

Thank God it's Friday! This week is actually quite cruisy, and the weather is improving everyday.
I went to Quiz night last night. There were a lot of people attending. The questions were not so hard, and we came 11th. I got a Steinlager, but because it was so late in the evening, I brought the drink home.
It was mum's birthday and I sent her a wool blanket from Sussan. It's nice and soft. Fuzzy came home really late, and was still doing homework by the time I got home from Quiz.
The experiment I had to do today is the same as before, but last time I didn't get any product. I had to change the bacteria stock. Hopefully, it will give a higher yield than last time. Anything is better than nothing.
Erik printed out his report before lunchtime, and handed it in today. He had the due day extended to this Friday. However, his supervisor is overseas and who knows when he will come back and mark his report? It's all up in the air at the moment.
Erik, Kelly, Ai and I were labelling tubes, tinfoil, and casettes for the trial next week. Erik put on nice music for all of us and it's much nicer than silence. Vic will start a new trial and I am sure that some extra work will come up. Just have to fit everything and find time to complete experiments.
Leanne had built a house in Ruakaka. It's ten minutes from the beach, and a group of people will come and see her house this weekend. She is putting in a new garden, and the carpet is brown. Erik mentioned that the house is close to a nudist beach. Leanne went on to say that his father had been propositioned by gay men on the nudist beach, Erik said that he had the same experience. He also said that his brother Jey was chatted up by a guy in the cafe when he was skiing. It is a place where a lot of guys hang out, and a lot of couples meet on the slope, straight and gay both included. You are having lots of fun, and it must be quite romantic with the white stuff everywhere. It must be the snow that make people want to be close to each other.
Are we prude compared to our parents? Do we feel more uncomfortable in these situations? Or, are we more open than our parents? It is all in our minds. If you feel comfortable, then you can accept it, but if you are uncomfortable, then you won't be able to accept the situation. I believe that we are more open to the concept of homosexuality right now than before. My dad doesn't even like to discuss the subject, let along accept it. I have no qualms about it, and I think it is quite natrual. Does that mean I am more open? Or, maybe I am less prude? There's no right or wrong here. I had been taught to be open about this, and I think it applies to all the people who are different. The world is changing everyday, and if we can't look beyond ourselves and accept who we are, we are never going to become better.
I don't know what I will do this weekend. There are books to read, rooms to vacuum, and time to relax. I am looking forward to completing this experiment and starting my weekend.
I hope that the weather will improve further and sun will stay shining for the whole weekend. That's a wishful thinking. Relax, no matter how bad the weather is, I can always stay home and do nothing. That's what the weekend is for.

7/25/2007

Catch you later, Linda

I am still running two experiments at a time today, however, become quite bored in the afternoon because I can't stare at my experimental apparatus anymore. It's just too monotonous. The important experiment went smoothly, and I am sure that the yield will be high this time. All is well at the work front, and I love to hear Erik say: "Catch you later, Linda." at the end of the day. Just make me really happy and relaxed.
It's not so cold today, but it rained for a short while, stopped then started raining again. It's amazing how fast the cloud moves in the sky. One minute you are walking in the sunshine, the next you are drenching with the down pour. At least, we are lucky enough not to be flooded like the Britons and Northlanders. I should count my blessings.
It's mum's birthday tomorrow so I went shopping in Chartwell Square. I found a parking space. Stevens is on sale right now, selling beautiful cups and dishes, but I don't need cups and dishes. Sussan is on sale as well, and I picked a thick wool blanket for mum, a PJ and nice top for myself. One of my PJ is too big, the other one is stretching after going through too many washes. I love shopping in Sussan. You can get comfortable clothing there.
Erik told Murray that he's not going to the Cocktail evening because it's just not his thing. However, he is interested in going to the Winter Gathering. That's still in the preparation stage and nothing is certain. I think I may have my housewarming party organised before that, but nothing is concrete for that, either. Mum had just refused to let me have the housewarming party this Friday. She said that we may have one around August, though. I am hoping that it will happen.
I went to take broths to autoclave this afternoon because they weren't picked up in the morning. Said hi to Sonja on the way, she got married to Grant and changed her name.
It's time for me to drive home. I am going to enjoy my evening. Today is a relaxing day.