Krith’s Scientific and Life Journey

Hello world.  It has been over a year since my last blog.  Lot has happened since my Hello from San Diego.  I have faced loss of 2 close family members within 2 months.  Being far away from home it is very difficult to cope with death in the family.  It started out with my Aunt (Dad’s older sister) in December of 2008, just before XMas.  My maternal Grandmother (Patti) was the next to leave me in February.  Both were very sudden.  I haven’t yet come to terms with either.  All I can think of is that they wanted very much for me to get my PhD, especially my Patti.  She was always praying for me, worrying about me, and constantly blessing me.  Anytime I called home, I could hear her in the background asking Amma if I was doing well and if I had gotten the desired results.  She so badly wanted to see me graduate, I cannot believe she is gone without fulfilling her wishes.  So now when I call home, especially to seek the blessings of my parents and thatha, I miss hearing her voice and talking to her.  I know she is no more but a part of me doesn’t want to accept it.  I guess it will eventually dawn on me only when I go home and not find her there.

My Patti was an amazing woman.  She was always trying to help anyone and everyone.  The whole neighborhood has sought her help/advice at one time or the other.  My maternal grandparents live with my parents, I guess now it is only my Thatha.  I am very close to them, and they have influenced my life in many ways.

My Athai (aunt) was great.  When we lived in Bangalore, she lived across the street from us, and raj and I were at her house often.  I loved her so much, and losing her was very painful.  I never thought she would be gone.  I still remember the last conversation I had with her.  She wasn’t doing well, having multiple blocks in her heart and all, and I was concerned and was telling her to take her meds and so on and so forth.  She told me that she wasn’t going anywhere till she played with my kids.  And just like that she is gone.

I almost lost my thatha as well.  In April, around the time of my Patti’s 2nd month death anniversary, Thatha was taken seriously ill and was in the hospital for almost a week.  We thought we were going to lose him too.  I am so thankful that he came home alright, and is doing fine now.  I would like for him to be around to see me graduate with my PhD.

Times like these I wish I were home giving my parents the support they need.  I also feel that my place is with them and not here, in the US all by myself.  I have been here in the States for almost 13 years now, and the more I think about it, I feel that I wasn’t as home sick before as I am now.  But like they say, what does not break you only makes you stronger.  I guess given all that I have been through, I am going to be solid as steel and tough as nails… or a spider’s web.
On a happy note, my research is going well though, and I hope to finish by this year end.  My best friend V got married last week, and it was one of the happiest days for me.  It was wonderful to see him so happy.  Well this is it for now.  Catch you later!

Well, the christmas season is upon us and that means… festivities at work and everywhere… today being our departmental christmas party. I just love this time of year… even a dirty city like Philadelphia looks beautiful, bright and colorful! And watching TV is not so much of a bore anymore cos they run those “cheesy”, “sappy” christmas specials that I just cant help but watch. Of course it makes it more difficult not miss my family who are far away, in Texas and in India… even though I am not a christian, I do love the Yule time.

Apart from feeling home sick and all that, I am also preparing for my First Research Seminar, that is to take place on the 4th of January. It will be the first time that I get to present my research in front of the whole department, faculty and students, and anyone else that is interested. Following this, after paper work of course, I am elevated to candidacy… meaning I go from being a Graduate Student to a PhD candidate. In simpler terms… my PhD is guaranteed in the future, and I wont be told to take a Masters’. So I am super excited and nervous, and eagerly collecting data. So you might not hear from me till then.

I wish you all a very merry XMas and a wonderful New Year! Peace out!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. A lot has happened since I blogged last. I turned 30! So Happy Birthday to me!!! Before the thanksgiving break, my boss told me the greatest news of all that she got FUNDED!!! That too by NSF!!! How cool is that. She was so happy and I am so happy for her. I think this is the best gratification to a scientist, dont you think? These days it is so tough to get funding even if the research is ground breaking. And our research is basic research studying bacteria. But I think what we work on is pretty cool. Anyways… I just want to say “Three cheers to Dr. Barbara Stitt…” She is the best mentor that I could get. I have learnt so much from this woman in such a short time. I hope to make her proud with my achievements.

Wishing all of you a very delightful, prosperous and bright Diwali/Deepavali.

Hope no one ODed on all the candy they were supposed to give out to little trick-o-treaters. Be safe!

I haven’t been online to blog in a long time… at least that is how it seems. I have been trying to write something coherent for a while now but have been in way over my head with work and other stuff. So I thought I would share some thoughts and shoot some ideas to the bigger cosmos than my own microcosm. I guess you could say things have been going well at work. I am getting ready for my committee meeting, firstly. Given that goes well, I will get my committee’s approval to present my First Research Seminar. It will be the first time I will be presenting my findings to my whole department, as opposed to just my committee, following which I will be elevated to candidacy. All this means that I am a step closer to my PhD degree. Happy thought isn’t it. But let me tell you, it has been one hell of a ride. There is so much to do and 24hours just isn’t enough. Add to that personal life, and extracurriculars. But I am still holding on so that must be a great sign. Well with that I will end this blog. I hope to add more to this soon enough.

I almost forgot.  My nephews are now local celebrities.  They showed up on Texas FOX NEWS!  Gotta love the media.

Take care all.

Congratulations to Al Gore for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize this year! What an amazing week this has been.

Remember the proverb “Old is gold” and “Never count your chickens before they hatch”? Well this is proof enough that these are indeed true! The 2007 Nobelaureates for Medicine or Physiology are three men in their scientific prime and young years of 66+. My dad always says that he is so many years young. How true. It is how you feel at heart and mind rather than the years you count. Check them out on NYTimes. Hearty congratulations to Drs. Mario R. Capecchi of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City; Oliver Smithies of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill; and Sir Martin J. Evans of Cardiff University in Wales.