The July issue

The latest issue of Science Spotlight went live as I was piloting my little silver Kia Rio from Anchorage to Talkeetna, but as we all know, good things come to those who wait. Here are the links to this month's two stories from the Clinical Research Division:

CGAT: a vital instrument in the prognostic toolbox for AML
Replacing the western: an improved way to measure cell signaling

The first article gives some interesting insights into the world of chromosomal anomalies, and their impact on outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

The second was initially entitled ”99 problems but 69 western blots ain’t one”, but although the investigator claimed to appreciate the Jay-Z reference he gracefully suggested something more ”descriptive”. I gave it some thought and reluctantly agreed. Sometimes my self-perceived wittines is just that: self-perceived, as in ’not necessarily perceived by others’.

Enjoy, folks!

Oh. Em. Gee.

I'm back in Seattle, but parts of me wish I weren't (including vital ones like brain and heart). Alaska was everything I could have dreamed of, and more. It will take me a couple of days to catch up at work and get my thoughts and photos in order, but there are plenty of pictures of mountains, fjords and various wild animals to come—don't you worry.

There will be lots of this...

...and this...

...and this.

However, of this, there is only one:

Possibly the best photo of me that will ever be taken. The happiest hiker.

Geronimo!

I think I'm ready. Well, to be honest, I have no idea if I'm ready or not but there is no turning back now. Alaska, here I come!

Please don't be worried if the blog goes quiet during the nine days that I'm gone. I decided not to bring my laptop, so any updates will be completely dependent on whatever computer options I can find along the way. Prepare yourself for an excess of photos on my return...

Be well! I intend to.

Johns Island

I'm taking a brief break from packing to upload a few photos from Johns Island, where I spent a couple of days with Ollie, Nancy, and the Bäck family—our shared Gothenburg friends, who were helping the hosts with rebuilding their wooden deck.

The seaplane ride was everything I hoped for: quick, comfortable, and incredibly scenic. Also, pretty darn cool.

A view from the cabin, with the construction site in the foreground; in the background, the dinner table, set for a sunset supper.

Some snapshots from the island.

The air was warm, and the water...freezing. I made the foolish mistake of promising the Bäck kids that I would swim with them, and being a person who takes such commitments very seriously, swimming it was. I'd say it was 13°C (55°F), tops, and thus not very pleasant. However, I can now proudly say that I have swum in the Salish Sea—that's gotta be worth something, right?

A quick, yet lovely getaway. Thank you, Ollie and Nancy!

Poster girl (sort of)

Wait, what's this? Click on the link and scroll down for a surprise:

What diamonds, a bicycle and one man’s mission have to do with curing cancer

Ok, I guess I sort of spoiled the surprise... But still, do it!

Photo by Robert Hood/Fred Hutch News Service

Here, there and everywhere (again)

First, I apologize for the radio silence.
Second, I may have some interesting news to share pretty soon.

Last week was absurdly intense—I went to France and back, on very short notice. Two nights in Europe, then home I went again. So long, au revoir!

On the way between X and Z, my company and I paused in Orléans for lunch and a quick stop by the Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d'Orléans. Voilà, a model of the impressive cathedral—inside the cathedral:

Yes, it was a job interview, and yes, I think it went quite well. I'm currently holding my breath, waiting for an offer...

In the meantime, other fun plans have emerged. It's only a week until I leave for Alaska, but I'm squeezing in yet another quick trip before I go: a visit with my boss and his wife at their cabin in the San Juan Islands.

Those of you who have been to Seattle probably remember the little sea planes that buzz like flies around Lake Union—coming and going, landing and taking off on the water. So, here's the million-dollar question: guess how I will get to the islands...? Very excited.

I'll leave town on Wednesday afternoon, spend two nights in their cabin, and then another colleague—who happens to be boating with his wife this week—will pick me up and bring me to mainland. After that, I have Saturday to do laundry, pack, and get my stuff together; Sunday, I'm off.

This summer is a record breaker in many ways.

Sparks and flares

In general, I'm not very impressed by fireworks. However, I have to say that yesterday's 4th of July show over Lake Union was quite dazzling—figuratively and literally.

A magical evening; the shores were full of happy people, the lake packed with boats. The air was warm and spirits high. My heart filled to the brim with anticipation. Oh, these are exciting times...!

E pluribus unum

Happy birthday, USA! Much can be said about many things, but in the end there is no denying that you are a pretty spectacular country. Thank you for being my home for the past three years! Thank you for embracing this funny foreigner, and for sharing your wealth and beauty.

This has been one crazy ride, America—I will miss you greatly when I leave. Here's to the red, white and blue!