Festival of Plants 2015

Yet another of my free writing :)

I went to the Festival of Plants in Cambridge University Botanic Garden last Saturday. A nice sunny day to be out there among the beautiful spring plants. Our first stop was the canopy where there were stalls with interactive games and explanations provided by volunteers of Festival of Plants. One thing which attracted me was the booth on algae and biofuel. I work with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, one of the few algae studied widely on its ability to produce biofuel, and I do like the idea of this animal-like single-cell lower plant being such a useful tool to study various aspects. We created a furry cartoonish ChlamyBaby (look below). There are some other activities which I didn't stay long enough to gather info. However, it seemed to me that people were enjoying themselves. We passed by the glasshouse and there was an interactive concert going on. Nice vocal for sure!

There were tours around the gardens, according to my friend, it was very beneficial as the guide told the stories of many of the trees around the garden. There was a talk tent where various talks were conducted. Apparently they were good too.

ChlamyBaby wading on the grass

I managed to capture a few nice shots - thanks to the lovely afternoon sun!

Moor hen feeding her chick

Colourful tulips

Peony?

Iris

I had a great time that afternoon. Discovered it was my friend's birthday, which was nice. Since the weather was great! :)

Scientific Walk in Romantic Sintra

I went away last weekend to refocus and refresh before this hectic season. I'm in the process of writing my first year report, but at this moment, I am kinda frozen in time and space. So, as what the trainer of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) suggested, I begin a short piece of free writing on some random topic.

Finally, I was in Sintra. After pondering for a few nights on which part of Sintra I should do and how much I was willing to spend, I've decided on Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) and Parque e Palacio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace and Park).

View of Palacio Nacional da Pena from Castelo Dos Mouros at the spot where King Ferdinand II loved as he found it an inspiration for his romantic ideals.

My favourite picture of the Castelo

It was an amazing journey and I did take many excellent shots of the breathtaking views, and plants! I never thought I'd end up in the Dept of Plant Sciences, but since I'm already in it, I should make the best out of it. I may be a ChlamyScientist working on molecular biology/physiology of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, but my colleagues are great physiologists/ecologists. I'm beginning to see beyond the green and to see each plant as a different species. It will take time, but I hope I can make my way closer to them greenies.

Navelwort I think... also in Parque Nacional da Pena

Sedum sp. in Parque Nacional da Pena

Fascicularia bicolor, a Bromeliad in Castelo Dos Mouros

Failed Experiments are Norms!

I guess I can't help it. For two weeks I've been struggling with the no-results syndrome. It's TOTALLY NORMAL! Yes, I know, and all I need to do is to exhaust all possibilities before I will bow down to the word "defeated". I know many of my fellow scientist readers would feel me, and mentally support me through this "darkness". At least, I'm still doing work. That's something to rejoice for. It's JUST PCR. What wrong can it go, right? Well, it's just probably 101 things which can go wrong in a simple tiny tube with 20 microlitre of PCR reagents. *Laugh ironically*

When I'm in despair, I am automatically brought to reminder of this particular bible verse (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Nope, I shan't be crushed, I shan't be in despair, I shan't be abandoned, I shan't be destroyed.

I will come out stronger than ever, because every single moment of failure helps to bulk up the "what not to be done" Pandora box. I was to the point of giving up by telling myself that if it were not meant to be, then it would be okay to give up, but God didn't give up on my intention of completing this PhD. Second chance is received. And so, this is not the time to mope for too long. I'll just whine for another few more seconds and then continue the second part of my day.

Exciting times ahead in June: First year report which will enable my upgrade to proper PhD candidate is due in about two weeks' time (Sorry, not even there yet when it comes to first year report! *sad face*). Then it's the season of viva voce to defend my research and to prove my worth (as much as I don't like to use this as a benchmark of who I am and the potential that I have). And yes, Erasmus+ Students and Alumni Association (ESAA) Kickoff Event in Brussels.

Fingers crossed I'll be ready for the adrenaline-pumping June. I just want to live my life to the fullest, because I only live once, and this God-gifted life I have is not exactly mine but His, given to me freely so that I may live a life of grace and joy.

Now, who says great scientists can't be great believers? I am not a great scientist, nor a great believer. I'm just a trying scientist and a trying believer. If Albert Einstein and Gregory Mendel were great scientists and great lovers of God's own heart, then I can.

Me no want to live a life with excuses, justifying things I did wrong and in regrets all the time.