Happy Two Year Anniversary To Me!

That was quick--and I mean the time and the growth of my hair! I didn't know what I was in for but I knew that it would be a change for the better. And it was! I'm so glad I have SL's, they really make me feel beautiful (with not a lot of work). My SL's are really helping me now while I write my dissertation. I've taken an online hiatus because things in the lab have really taken over my life. I plan to come up for air in a few months though and I'll keep you posted when it all goes down! However, I am lurking, I haven't gone too far (:
Talk to ya soon! Chi(:

25 again. . .

Hi all,
Just checkin' in to say what's up. Here are some pics from my cousin's visit this summer. The weekend she visited, I was 25 again. Thanks goodness it was only for the weekend. These pic's are from the Funky Buddha lounge on "Supa Soul Sunday".


Definitely a great spot any day of the week. Since my last two retightenings, I've noticed that my hair is reaching my shoulders!!!(: (: My two year anniversary is coming up so i'll have to find a way to put a collage on my mac to do a comparison (picasa is not mac compatible ):

Take care,
Chi(:

I can make a difference as well (:

Yesterday I heard Michelle Obama speak. She gave a stump speech that really felt more like a tree than a stump. She described her background, how she met Barack, the talking points and theme of inclusiveness that structures the Obama campaign. She also told me what I needed to do the help out the campaign—of course I was sold by then so I had no problems taking orders. And she also attacked the criticisms of Obama-haters. The speech was moving, well organized and incited me to do something that no other politician, or their wife has been able to do. She inspired me to act.

I saw the couple the day before at the Bud Biliken Parade on Saturday. Obama has had my vote for the longest but seeing them live was like a reminder, “Ok, you know you’re going to vote for him, You better check his people out.” Luckily, I remembered that Michelle was supposed to speak on Sunday and I couldn’t help but feel pulled to go. It was only 8 blocks from the lab. I mean, just the day before, I spent almost $20 on makeup. I might as well contribute $25 to someone I want to support.

So, I send out a text and my best friend Tonia decides to join me. I’m really glad because when we got there I’m feeling too dowdy in my lab clothes surrounded by the “Women for Obama” who are dressed for a garden party. Anyway, I walk in and there’s no real program. Just a lot of women, some lined up against the wall, some in groups, talking. And I’m like, “I have to go into mingle mode or I’m gonna continue feeling awkward like I do right now” So I strike up a conversation with a “Woman for Obama” from the South Suburbs and she was really friendly. We both exchanged our support for Barack and then I mingled some more. Unfortunately, I felt weary of mingling so Tonia and I hung out until Michelle came out.

Let me tell you, this woman is classy with a serving of spunk on the side. She was telling me what I wanted to hear but I could tell it wasn’t rhetoric, it was real. I could feel in my heart that her/Barack’s views on strengthening the family, community and the nation by embracing what unifies us as a nation—our humanness—is key to moving our country forward. I believed in her—me the realistic optimist—when she said that its up to me to move our country forward. The disease of apathy in our communities is a festering virus and one person can't stop it alone. However, one person can lead us to a place where together we can restore and enrich our world for the better.

Before, Barack Obama had my vote. Now he has my pledge to act to actively participate in his campaign. I don’t know if he’s going to win, but I am moved to work towards positioning someone that I truly believe in as leader of our country. I’ve volunteered for John Kerry in Wisconsin on the day of the presidential election. I just couldn’t sit at home and wait for the results to come in, I had to feel like I was part of the process. But I don’t only want to be part of process, I want to help Barack Obama be president. I believe he’s qualified, intelligent, thoughtful, humble and has the leadership ablilities to lead a nation of diverse heritage. I don’t even care if he may lose, right now my focus is to win.



And, I see this experience, moving me towards the area of public policy. I want to use my talents to serve the public. I know that I love science, but there’s a distance from the public that I want to bridge. I need more of a connection with people and the ability to incite positive change at a large scale. So first stop, working on the Obama campaign. Next stop, the universe!

It's about to hit the fan. . .

Ok y'all,

If you've been reading these past 2+ years you probably noticed that I'm a bit confused about my career goals right now. I've gone from "I want to be a scientist at a tier 1 university and have a life too" to "Forget that, I'm going into business!". But the truth is, I still don't know what God has planned for me. So I took a leap of faith and applied for a position that my friend turned me onto. . .she's leaving and needs someone to take over. Here the duties of the job are to:

(1) increase the enrollment of underrepresented students pursuing a graduate degree in the sciences

(2) ensure the successful completion of their Ph.D. by providing flexible curricula, personal mentoring, and professional development training

(3) prepare these students to transition into competitive postdoctoral and faculty positions by providing them the opportunity to present their research at local, regional, and national meetings.

"Basically, by creating a support network for these
students and combining it with professional
development training (such as a scientific skills
course: how to write grants, papers, make posters,
presentations), we believe we can make any student
with the drive and dedication a great scientist.
It's a great job for someone who is a little mad at
grad school and wants to make it better."

Umm. . .this job is perfect for me!!! So I applied. The only catch--they need someone by August/September and I'm aiming for an October end date. On top of that, I just read an abstract that describes my project only this lab actually completed the project--not me. And I'm trying to get an experimental system that I created to work and it's not working. And my committee said that they want to see me in July and they want to see me with data so I can have permission to write but I can't show them data if I can't get the system working! And I feel like every experiment determines if I'm going to graduate or not!--NO PRESSURE HERE (said very sarcastically)!

Whew! Getting that out was a relief. So, after I freaked out, I sat down and I made a decision. I'm graduating this year and if I get the job above, I'm gonna work the timing out. I had to step up my game, wake up and get with the program. If I'm gonna get scooped, I'll just have to determine the next step and go from there. I'm gonna try some different approaches with this expermental system and make it work. I have to start writing!!!! I just have to because the next 6 months are gonna be bad enough and I have to de-stress wherever possible.

I can do this, I know I can. And I will repeat this phrase as much as I have to. I've been struggling with leaving the bench or pushing myself through a post-doc and remaining miserable. At least in the position above, I'm doing something that helps others and I can see the impact that will be made. Once I'm in that position, I can look at my career options subjectively, take a few business classes and decide if that's the way to go.

So look forward to frantic and/or procrastinating (while writing) posts. It 's going to be a wild ride!

Happy Juneteenth!

A friend of mine wished me a happy Juneteenth today. You can read more about Juneteenth history here. At first I thought, "Why would I want to celebrate the delay of freedom to enslaved Africans in Texas?" Seems kind of shady to celebrate how we got the shaft after the civil war ended. But then I read the history and realized that this the only official state holiday that celebrates the end of slavery in the US. Despite the fact that freedom was 2+ years late for enslaved Africans in Texas, I think that we should celebrate it after all. We need to remember that a large majority of African-Americans did not arrive in this country by accident and we've come a long way despite a very painful past. I wanna send a special Happy Juneteenth to all my Loc'd sistas in Texas. How do/did you celebrate Juneteenth? Let a Chi-town gal know (:

Featuring. . .Lonlon!

My 12 year old niece Lonlon has published a blog this month and I'm very impressed. She's given insightful commentary on some really cool topics but I haven't seen a lot of comments. So stop by and "conversate" I'm sure she'll appreciate it.

Wrap a Loc!

Here's a shameless plug for a new product for all you product junkies! Its a tool that will give your locs a straw set! Check out pics here. What I like is that you wear the style with the tool in and out of your hair. Lemme know what you think.

May was a busy month!

Hey peoples!

Last month was too busy! There was many a photo op and you know I had to take it. First, I was a bridesmaid for a friend whom I've known since 7th grade. Although she lives far away all I have to do is call her on the phone or make a visit and it's like I saw her yesterday. The wedding was really a blessed event. I enjoyed seeing her and her family. And I also made a lot of great friends in the bridesmaids and the grooms family. As far as hair, mine didn't get in the way (: One of the bridesmaids had traditional locs and her style was on point! I really enjoyed myself and I wish the new couple all my best!

Exactly one week later, James and I took a road trip to attend my "play" cousin's graduation party. I am so proud of her!!!! My girl is 24 years old and she just graduated from medical school. Although she was in Wisconsin, devoid of cultural fun, she's about to kick it up a notch and pursue an Opthamology research fellowship at Emory in Atlanta. Any tips on settling in? I'll pass them on (: She's incredibly sweet I only see great adventures in her future (:.

On the career tip. . .I've been conducting informational interviews. So far I've meet with someone in tech transfer and another person who consults for a biotech consulting firm. I also received some great advice from Brunsli about approaching VC from the patent law route. I really appreciate the help, thanks lady! (: So far I'm still interested in the business side of science so I'm going to continue investigating this route. I'll keep you updated. As far as my research, its coming slowly but surely. I've revised my end date to October 31--which is the date for submitting the first draft of my dissertation to the library. I'm writing it here because the more I say it, the more I'm going to believe it! That day is not to far away so its all about progress now.

Unfortunately, I've been gone for a while but I have too many photo's that I want to share so you may see random posts (outdated) in the near future. . .stay tuned.

Hi Family

Hey everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been holding out for pics and putting off posting. So there will probably be a lot of posts without pics but updates and I'll respond more frequently.

Anyway, a lot has happened in the past three months. Unfortunately I didn't meet my deadline for May 2nd BUT I've made significant progress in the lab and it just a matter of time before I have my pentultimate committee meeting (where they give me permission to write). I'm working on two months to that date and three months to the end but only the science will tell.

I have to give props to Brunsli and Breadfruit for giving me advice on being a scientist in the real world. I've been considering different careers and science and they both gave me perspectives that allowed me to see the science world in a tangible light. Lately I've been

thinking, "I like science, but does it like me?" I realized that I don't like the personal sacrifices that it takes to be a PI (Principal investigator) at a Tier I (Harvard, UCSF, etc. . .) institution.

I want a career that is fulfilling, and does not require me to be dependent on the whims of external sources for support. Right now there's a dip in NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding. Governmental funding is the primary source of funding for academic researchers. I just don't want to be at the mercy of the politics required to get a grant funded.

So I'm looking at different ways to live in the science field. I'm thinking about the business side of science. It seems like those who study are the least rewarded and I'd like to be on the side of those who give the reward instead of receiving it. (Deep breath) I'm looking into venture capitalism. . .Yes it sounds very Republican (tee hee). In other words I'm interested in being the source of funding that entrepreneurs use to start up their companies. Personally, my expertise is in the biological sciences and thus I would be interested in developing companies in biotech.

Where did you get this you say. Well, I was in church, talking to God about what I should do with my life. All of the sudden, the word Venture Capitalist popped into my head and everything clicked. My degree is very necessary when it comes to evaluating technology and I would be in the position to fund companies that provide life enhancing products. I wouldn't be at the bench (something that has a big impact in the long term) I would be at the decision-making end (something that has a big impact in the short and long term). I also have a dream of starting a self-sustained science learning center for inner-city youth. I could see myself having the means to push this dream forward without waiting on grant funding to start it.

So right now, I'm in the idealist stage. After researching different VC firms that support biotech startups I've learned that most science-related VC managers and directors have a PhD, industry experience and an MBA. I've mapped out the many ways that I could do it and I've learned that VC is hard to break into. I'm going to have to get an MBA (and I want it at a discount so I need someone to pay for part of it) or go into consulting (which has good and bad points). I also need to develop industry experience. I think the length of time to do this would take 2-3 years of MBA education, 3 or more (possibly simultaneous) years consulting or working in industry and then working my way up the ladder in a VC firm when I get in, and I don't know how long it will take.

I'm starting to network and get in touch with alumni who are VC's as well and friends who are/were in consulting (Brunsli I need to holla!). But for the first time in a long time, I'm excited about the future. I feel like I'm facing a new and exciting adventure and I don't know where I'll end up but I'll be in a better position to live life on my own terms. I'm starting to leave the idealist stage and ask some really important questions: Is business for me? If business is cutthroat (as I've been told) how do I succeed with out sacrificing my integrity? And on and on. Stay tuned. . .

SL's enhance your Driver's License photo!

Hi,

I had my license renewed for my birthday today. I almost got up and spent the hour with my caruso's but I was too lazy. Instead, I wet my hair, flipped it back, put on some lip gloss and smiled.

Tada!

I'm so proud of this pic because I have too many bad permanent ID pics that I don't even wanna talk about--think heat straightened hair that started to poof ): Hope ya like it!

Chi(:

I've been tagged, I'm It!

Creyole tagged me and I'm happy to share 5 unknown facts:

1. In high school and college I played the clarinet and bass clarinet. At one time I wanted to be a musician and play for Disney movies but that path didn't look like it would pay anytime soon so I went into the more lucrative field of science (note: lucrative is said with sarcasm). I played in concert bands, orchestras, musicals and marching band. It was such a fun and creative process. Unfortunately, I lost my chops and don't play anymore, but I still have my Buffet clarinet just in case (:

2. I don't know if I said this already but I've been a Salsera for about 7.5 years! I love dancing salsa, bachata, Cha Cha, bolero, merengue and Mambo. I kind of taught myself with a few lessons here and there but I learned a majority of the latin dances through a multi-generational organization called Cultural Expressions. Every other sunday at the Presidential Towers, this organization would bring beginners and instructors to one location and we would dance and learn from each other. Unfortunately, sets are no longer held there but Cultural Expressions hosts an International Salsa Congress in Chicago every February. It's the place to be to hear great bands, take workshops and see some great performances. I love latin dancing! It also took me awhile to learn how to follow but once you let go, you get better and learn to enjoy the dance. I feel so feminine and sassy! I highly recommend it at any age. What has made my experience memorable is that I go out with my "salsa crew": fellow Salsera/o's and I never have to worry about not having a partner. I love you guys! You're awesome!

3. I'm addicted to reality TV (but tasteful TV no Fear Factor!) My favorites are The Apprentice, Judge Mathis (I was an audience member on the show!), Project Runway, Deal or No Deal, American Idol (in the last weeks), What Not to Wear and The Best Week Ever. Unfortunately (?) I don't have cable so I'm at the mercy of friends and family but right now I hardly watch anything because I get home when the news comes on ):

4. I'm addicted to NPR--Chicago Public Radio is well known for being a pioneer in public radio broadcasting. So in addition to listening to Morning Edition and All things considered, I also enjoy listening to Cartalk, Marketplace, This American Life, Afropop worldwide and Wait, Wait, Don't tell me. It's my main source on world news, culture and entertainment. They used to play jazz in the evenings but they took it away ): However, I really enjoy listening, I even listen through the pledge drives (I'm pretty addicted).

5. Ok, last one. I'm a board member, along with my sisters and parents of the Tochi ("Praise God") NFP (not for profit) organization. Spearheaded by my Mom (: Our mission is to help improve the health conditions of our town in Nigeria. The organization started because my Mom witnessed the death of many expecting women in our village who didn't receive basic prenatal care or services when before and during birth. Initially, we want to provide expecting mothers with the resources to have prenatal vitamins and counsel about childbirth. But eventually, my Mom wants to open a clinic. We are brand new and still submitting paperwork to be organized. We've never headed a NFP so any advice is welcome. But I'm really excited to this work and look forward to it.

Alright, that's five. I'm tagging the following people. Can't wait to learn more about you!
Tra
Sunsail
Tai
BygBaby

Go Bears! (:

First Totally Black Owned Search Engine

Hi all,

My friend sent me a really important email. Check it out below

As some of you might know, a dynamic young African-American Internet
duo, Rob and Roz Rucker have created a brand new search engine and
portal site called The BlackWebPortal.com.

The site is designed with African-Americans in mind. Right now their
viewer-ship is the low thousands. They need to cross the hundreds of
thousands barrier to have any real chance of keeping this site online at
all. Some of you are thinking...why does it matter?

It matters because BlackVoices is wholly owned by the Tribune Company;
Black Families by Cox Communications; BlackPlanet.com by an Asian
company; and Soul City HBO by AOL-Times/Warner.

BlackWebPortal is the only site that is 100% African-American owned.
The BlackWebPortal needs all of us to start emailing our friends,
relatives, etc., all over the world to start using the resources at the
BlackWebPortal. The important thing is that they need help getting the
word out about this site. Let's help this site out by visiting and
seeing what they have to offer. So please tell EVERYONE about the
Black Web Portal. Don't just bookmark it for yourself. Spread the news!


This is a new millennium! We must begin truly supporting black
technology efforts in the same way we cheer on our movie and athletic
stars. If we don't, they'll end up having to do the same as other black
web sites by getting assistance from elsewhere, thereby losing the
original flavor they have.

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

http://www.blackwebportal.com/

4 months eleven days and a whole Heap of Trouble . . . But good trouble

Hi Fam,


Just checkin' in to say hi and give you an update. I figured I can only lurk so long, but I'm learning so much exploring the links on other blogs and I really appreciate to great blogs I'm reading. Anyhoo, I'm in the thick of it folks. After the new year (By the way HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!) I sat down and determined the date that I needed to have my dissertation completed and submitted to the library in order to attend the Hooding ceremony (Where I receive my degree and a "hood" that signifies that I hold a Doctorate--Dr. Chi-chi(:). That date is, drumroll please. . . May 2nd. May 2nd! Eeeeeeekkkkkkk! That means I need to get my reagents together, complete experiments, submit a paper to be published in a scientific journal, write my dissertation and defend it by MAY 2nd! Technically this is the date that I have to submit a draft of my thesis and then the final version is a week later, but it might as well be this day. I don't know guys if I'm gonna make it. Worst case scenario is that miss the deadline and defend in the summer and then graduate in the summer. But the spring graduation is the "big" one with speakers and hooding ceremonies and all that other great stuff. So regardless of whether I make it to May 2nd with all that stuff done, I'm gonna treat it like a real deadline. I'm getting my reagents together, hopefully they'll be ready by the end of the month. Then I have February to introduce the project to my committee. All the while I'll be performing experiments. If I can get all my experiments done by April, then I'll have one month to write everything up. I'm praying that if I can show my committee that I've submitted a paper to a scientific journal in March, they'll give me permission to write in April.

That means that I've been working like there's no tomorrow. I was energized in October but I've never worked so hard for anything like I am now. But its great. I'm so excited by my work, I really enjoy seeing progress--progress and the need to see progress is what drives me right now.

But I haven't turned into a total science nerd. My one year-aversary was on December 5th of last year. My hair is starting to loc in earnest and I really like the length. Not to mention the convienience. Dealing with a 'fro during all this madness would be too much drama right now. James and I also celebrated our one year anniversary of dating each other last sunday (Jan. 14th, the pic below is at a New Year's party). We learn more about each other each day and I like what I see. We're going strong and I'm really happy that he's in my life. (:



I just saw "Stomp the Yard" today. That movie was soooooo good. If you like step shows, this one is on point and was very tasteful IMHO.

Let see, what else. . . Oh yeah, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my life (: I'm starting to narrow down labs for a postdoc and unfortunately, they are not in Chicago. I've fallen madly in love with this city. Here, I'm 2 hours away from my brothers and parents. My sister and her family are in the burbs, my best friend of 15 years is down the street, along with several other friends, my boyfriend is around the corner and I'm in a city but I feel like I'm in a community. My support network is pretty strong, but to stay here would mean career suicide. To be in the running for Senior Scientist at a company or Assistant Professor and a Tier 1 university, I have to go to the a lab of a well recognized scientist in his/her field. Since my interests include stem cells, virology (HIV and others) and immunology, those people are everywhere but here (ie. Boston, Baltimore/DC area, California, Wisconsin, etc. . .). For a long time I was in denial and considered working for a start up in Chicago but I realized that my heart is in discovery. I want to discover not perfect something that someone else discovered. That means that I'm taking the route to being an expert in my field of choice (though I'm still choosing) which means I'm going to do a Post-Doc (post-doctoral fellowship). I have to be broke a little longer, but if I choose industry, it won't be as long (1-2.5 years) as choosing academia (2.5-3 years). I still have the entrepreneurial spirit, I just don't know how to direct it so I'm going to explore this in my post-doc. Then I'll work my way back to Chicago if that's where I want to be when its all over.

I hope the new year is bringing prosperity and a fresh start to you all. I talk to you soon (:


PS. I'm turning 30 in 3 weeks! Another update is soon to follow. . .Stay blessed!
Chi(:

PLEASE Support Black films!!!!

Hi all,

I know I haven't posted in a while and I have to catch you up on a lot but I couldn't resist sharing the link for the movie Pride coming out on March 23. It stars Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac. Check out the trailer, its hot and pass this link on to your friends!

Talk to ya soon,
Chi(: