If this is the last post on my blog it's because I've melted. Just FYI. Gasp!
Photos, Thoughts and Observations from a Postdoctoral Adventure Way out West.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Summer skies
It's 10 pm and still about 25 degrees Celsius (77 F) outside... Summer has struck Seattle with full blast.
If this is the last post on my blog it's because I've melted. Just FYI. Gasp!
If this is the last post on my blog it's because I've melted. Just FYI. Gasp!
Faster than the speed of night
Time... Time! Slow down, please. Stop and wait! Let me hold on to moments of joy just a little bit longer.
The visit from Sofia, Martin, Tomas, and Kerstin flew by like a gust of summer air. So sweet but, alas, so short. Midsummer at David's rooftop, dancing in Capitol Hill, watching naked bike riders in the Fremont Solstice Parade, brunching in Ballard, wine tasting in Woodinville... Grand food, good friends, and great fun!
With a bit of luck, Sofia will send me some of her photos to share (hint, hint) since my camera was left at home most of the time. Until then, I'll share a picture of the two of us from the Midsummer festivities.
Lovely Sofia and her beautiful baby bump. Oh, how I miss you all already! Luckily, I will soon be busy with a couple of very special visitors. This Tuesday, my mom and dad are flying in from Sweden to experience Seattle and its surroundings for a whole month. And rumor has it that someone else might be joining us as well... What a treat!
The visit from Sofia, Martin, Tomas, and Kerstin flew by like a gust of summer air. So sweet but, alas, so short. Midsummer at David's rooftop, dancing in Capitol Hill, watching naked bike riders in the Fremont Solstice Parade, brunching in Ballard, wine tasting in Woodinville... Grand food, good friends, and great fun!
With a bit of luck, Sofia will send me some of her photos to share (hint, hint) since my camera was left at home most of the time. Until then, I'll share a picture of the two of us from the Midsummer festivities.
Lovely Sofia and her beautiful baby bump. Oh, how I miss you all already! Luckily, I will soon be busy with a couple of very special visitors. This Tuesday, my mom and dad are flying in from Sweden to experience Seattle and its surroundings for a whole month. And rumor has it that someone else might be joining us as well... What a treat!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Merry Midsummer!
As some of you may know, Midsummer isn't one of my favorite holidays to celebrate, mostly because of the insanely high expectations it raises among the majority of Swedes. However, this year will be somewhat different as I'm far away from the normal hysteria surrounding this particular day, and therefore I feel rather excited about celebrating it.
All the key ingredients are at hand: friends, barbecue, rosé wine (no snaps for me, thankyouverymuch), strawberries, and semi-crappy weather. Just like last year, actually! A great evening, despite my initial reluctance.
Look at this happy Midsummer girl eating a strawberry! Very happy! Nothing else. Just happy! H-a-p-p-y, I tell ya!
The only thing missing is perhaps the seven different kinds of flowers tucked under my pillow, secretly picked in absolute silence. A bit of old-timey Swedish magic, allegedly bringing dreams of future love and happiness. (But who needs that, anyway?)
Glad midsommar, everyone!
All the key ingredients are at hand: friends, barbecue, rosé wine (no snaps for me, thankyouverymuch), strawberries, and semi-crappy weather. Just like last year, actually! A great evening, despite my initial reluctance.
Look at this happy Midsummer girl eating a strawberry! Very happy! Nothing else. Just happy! H-a-p-p-y, I tell ya!
The only thing missing is perhaps the seven different kinds of flowers tucked under my pillow, secretly picked in absolute silence. A bit of old-timey Swedish magic, allegedly bringing dreams of future love and happiness. (But who needs that, anyway?)
Glad midsommar, everyone!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
The Love Boat
The banquet yesterday was a fun event with lots of brainy women, and I made at least one new FHCRC connection that I will make sure to follow up with shortly. Besides the networking, the inspiring talk from award winner Sheila Lukehart, and the scrumptious food, simply being at the MV Skansonia itself was a treat. The old ferry was beautifully furnished and decorated, and the view over Lake Union and the Seattle skyline no less than spectacular, either seen from inside through the portholes or outside on the deck.
It's no surprise that many couples choose to tie the knot at such a neat location; this embellished portal manifests the romantic potential rather well.
Luckily, I don't have to worry about such silly things as I'm clearly already married to science. (Or at least to radioactivity. WHICH IS AWESOME.)
Yeah!
It's no surprise that many couples choose to tie the knot at such a neat location; this embellished portal manifests the romantic potential rather well.
Luckily, I don't have to worry about such silly things as I'm clearly already married to science. (Or at least to radioactivity. WHICH IS AWESOME.)
Yeah!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
High heels and business cards
Today is a fine day; not only will I finally receive my four friends from Sweden, but I will also be attending the AWIS (Association for Women in Science) Award Banquet for Scientific Advancement at the MV Skansonia this evening. Judging by the invitation, it could be a really nice event.
Dress, check. Black pumps, check. I'm ready for some buoyant networking!“Begin the evening with pre-dinner drinks and networking on the stern of the ship overlooking beautiful Lake Union and downtown. Then join us for a banquet featuring awards to our dedicated members, undergraduate scholarship winners, and our featured speaker Sheila Lukehart. Wrap-up the night with another opportunity to mingle and network over dessert and a cup of coffee.”
Monday, June 17, 2013
Countdown to company
It's soon time for Seattle to welcome some Swedish sojourners again, and this time it's a whole bunch of wonderful visitors that's honoring me with its presence. Four friends from foreign frontiers, flying friskily for faraway Frost. Fantastic!
I'm counting down to Wednesday: 3... 2... 1... Yay!
I'm counting down to Wednesday: 3... 2... 1... Yay!
Adventures across the sea
Rockaway Beach Park, Bainbridge Island, 4:33 pm. Relaxing in the sun after a hilly bike ride with Isaac.
Before I landed face down on the grass, the excursion started with the two of us boarding a ferry from downtown Seattle, heading West across Puget Sound. Being at sea is a real treat on days like this; blue skies, warm sun, salt water and... Um... Wind.
Shortly after starting to explore the roads on the island, I told Isaac that the surroundings really reminded me of Sweden. Despite the Scandinavian heritage in and around Seattle this was the first time I've gotten that feeling over here, so when we suddenly stumbled on this unexpected piece of land I was quite amazed.
As lovely as it was, I still have to confess that Old Sweden beats New Sweden when it comes to cycling... That being said, the Seattle backdrop was pretty neat.
Up and down, down and up; hills, hills, hills. All in all: a great day, far from our mainland worries. How I cherish these Sunday rides!
All photos by Isaac Price.
Before I landed face down on the grass, the excursion started with the two of us boarding a ferry from downtown Seattle, heading West across Puget Sound. Being at sea is a real treat on days like this; blue skies, warm sun, salt water and... Um... Wind.
Shortly after starting to explore the roads on the island, I told Isaac that the surroundings really reminded me of Sweden. Despite the Scandinavian heritage in and around Seattle this was the first time I've gotten that feeling over here, so when we suddenly stumbled on this unexpected piece of land I was quite amazed.
As lovely as it was, I still have to confess that Old Sweden beats New Sweden when it comes to cycling... That being said, the Seattle backdrop was pretty neat.
Up and down, down and up; hills, hills, hills. All in all: a great day, far from our mainland worries. How I cherish these Sunday rides!
All photos by Isaac Price.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Ready for the weekend
Starting this afternoon, I will do my very best to follow this little guy's advice.
Yesterday, I basically hit the wall as the last couple of weeks (months?) suddenly caught up with me after I had finished another long row of meetings and stressful tasks. I found myself sitting at my desk, mindlessly staring into emptiness, feeling completely washed-out. Run-down. Drained.
The conclusion: I need a break.
Luckily, all I have on my schedule this weekend is a wonderful evening tonight together with the Frayos and Tom, my dear friend and colleague who is spending his last night on this side of the big blue for a while. Good food, amazing wine, and marvellous company. It's going to be a great Friday night!
My pledge to myself: To just lean back and enjoy the next couple of days. Sure, I want to do lots of fun things, but I will try to do them slowly. Cherish the moment. Seize the day!
Enough of the hippie talk... Have an awesome weekend! (I will.)
Yesterday, I basically hit the wall as the last couple of weeks (months?) suddenly caught up with me after I had finished another long row of meetings and stressful tasks. I found myself sitting at my desk, mindlessly staring into emptiness, feeling completely washed-out. Run-down. Drained.
The conclusion: I need a break.
Luckily, all I have on my schedule this weekend is a wonderful evening tonight together with the Frayos and Tom, my dear friend and colleague who is spending his last night on this side of the big blue for a while. Good food, amazing wine, and marvellous company. It's going to be a great Friday night!
My pledge to myself: To just lean back and enjoy the next couple of days. Sure, I want to do lots of fun things, but I will try to do them slowly. Cherish the moment. Seize the day!
Enough of the hippie talk... Have an awesome weekend! (I will.)
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
From: Me. To: Me!
What!? Why am I spoiling myself with peonies on a regular Tuesday?
Weeell... This might be a clue:
That's right - I got the news yesterday. Seattle will not get rid of me for another year! I'm so happy I'm practically bouncing.
Hurra, hurra, HURRAAA!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Memories of the recent past
Discovery Park, June 2. A dreamy Sunday afternoon that turned into evening under the open sky. So recently, yet so long ago.
Monday, June 10, 2013
I'm still here
I am! I promise. Things are a bit crazy right now, but I think I see some light at the end of the tunnel.
I have been battling water leaks soaking my bed (twice), camping on the floor, flying back and forth to Tennessee for a conference, giving an almost hour long presentation at a meeting, planning another talk at a local conference, practicing new procedures in the lab, watching soccer, running a half marathon, moonlighting as a travel agent for visiting friends and family, organizing a networking event with some 70 participants, preparing for two complex studies taking place a week apart, fighting recurring nosebleeds, and failing miserably in selected personal interactions. All that (and more) since I came back from Sweden a week and a half ago.
No rest for the wicked...
I have been battling water leaks soaking my bed (twice), camping on the floor, flying back and forth to Tennessee for a conference, giving an almost hour long presentation at a meeting, planning another talk at a local conference, practicing new procedures in the lab, watching soccer, running a half marathon, moonlighting as a travel agent for visiting friends and family, organizing a networking event with some 70 participants, preparing for two complex studies taking place a week apart, fighting recurring nosebleeds, and failing miserably in selected personal interactions. All that (and more) since I came back from Sweden a week and a half ago.
No rest for the wicked...
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