A day in the life of Chi-Chi in Chi-town!

Quick Update

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:25:00 +0000

Hi friends,

I write to you on the day after my graduation! I didn't realize how much had happened since my last post so let me update you:

On July 9th: I submitted my thesis to my committee--that was the longest part of this whole process. It took me about 1.5 months to complete this draft. One thing that helped was that I had up to 25 people help copyedit the text for typos. Some were scientists and non-scientists, and they all helped me! Special shot out to Brunsli! Thanks everyone. I also used Cashboard to keep track of time while I wrote each day. It was really helpful and made me realize that 5-6 hours of writing(0nly) is really a lot of work because that was a full day of work! I have a new respect for lawyers who may log 7-8 hours a day! They work hard! My unrequested advice: Start early an just do it!

On July 16th: I successfully defended my thesis! It was so weird because I'd been waiting for this day for so long and it just came and went so fast! This and the next day, where one of the happiest days of my life! I was so stressed and tensed up until my committee chair said those words, "Congratulations Doctor!" I felt so free, it was the best!

On Aug. 3: I submitted my thesis to the library. I made edits recommended by my committee, by the library and continued to get rid of typos! I have to say that completing the thesis is the longest form of labor that you will ever go through. I felt like I was having a baby for 2 months! After their final review, I only had to change the page numbers on my "List of Figures" page. Whew! After that, they ok'd me for graduation!

And yesterday, Friday, August 28th, 2009, I received my Ph. D. in Pathology and officially became Dr. Chi (: My entire family came to celebrate (Mom, Dad, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, their husbands and children my boyfriend John and friends throughout my life). I had a reception afterwards and just celebrated! I have to thank God for trusting me and enabling me to pull this off. I can't believe it but I am a Dr.! Yaaaaayyyy!

So I'm sure you're asking, "What now?" Well, the future is wide open. While I'm interested in the study of Epigenetics, I've come to realize that benchwork is not in my future. So while I pursue postdocs in Epigenetics, I'm also applying for fellowships in Science communication and journalism as well as Science Policy. We'll see, I'm back so now I can keep you up to date!

Cheers!

Dr. Chi (:

Thesis update: Slow progress

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:15:00 +0000

Yesterday I worked on a portion of my thesis where I'm writing a review for my intro. I wanted to finish reading all the reviews for a particular topic but missed it by 7 pages! Luckily I've been taking notes along the way so I won't have to re-read.

Today's goals include:
1. finishing that review
2. then read and take notes on recent papers that weren't covered by older review articles.
3. AND organize my notes into a working paragraph for the article
4. If I have time, I will pull papers on the last topic of my intro

I'm thinking that I want to add another section but I just may revise what I have to include all of the data. The type of review that I'm writing is a discussion of three different checkpoint adapter proteins. Since I've been reading so many reviews that have described each adaptor in detail I'm worried about out being redundant. So I think that I will make this review relevant by comparing and contrasting studies and addressing remaining questions for the field.

When I convert this review article into an intro thesis chapter, I'll have to add more paragraphs that will tie it into my other studies which means more writing for the intro! I need to go faster, time will just pass and if you aren't careful you'll be panicking like I am now!

Wish me luck

Chi(:

Goodbye Winter Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:43:00 +0000

Hi all,

Just posting to let you know that I'm starting a new blog to track weight loss. It's mostly for my own selfish purposes. I want to use it to keep a food journal and and track my progress. I'm using the Weight Watchers (WW) method because it worked when I used the program two years ago.

There are some great blogs out there that really help me restart my WW program without having to pay again (trust me, once you learn it the first time, all you need is a refresher). However, if you've never gone the program and are interested, I suggest you use it until you have the techniques mastered for yourself. As I was saying, there are a lot of great blogs with WW tools: There's a daily points target calculator, a calculator for determining food points and a food points list, that are among the many tools that will help me along the way and I'll be listing them throughout my new blog.

Hopefully this will be a nice reminder that will help me get back on track when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestye with sustainable eating habits. You can check out my new blog here.

Cya!

Chi (:

Ahhhh Vacation. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:38:00 +0000

Happy Memorial day everyone!

It's been a while since my last post. Since my birthday I've received permission to write and defend my thesis, I've given a talk at a research conference and am two weeks behind my dissertation schedule.

What has kept me sane? To tell the truth, I've met someone who is really supportive, considerate and nice--especially to me! And my relationship with him has taught me something--I'm a workaholic. I live in a culture where you can do your science 24/7. At my school, some faculty raise their eyebrows if you mention that you were doing something other than your work. I think in general, you have to be careful of how you discuss your personal life because it then becomes the reason for why your experiments didn't work or why you haven't written your paper. So unfortunately, I allowed this culture to ellicit guilt for not working--at any time! To adapt, I would go to work for hours but not really work. You know those internet escapes: email, facebook, The Daily Show with John Stewart on hulu. In the last few months I've been working on purging the guilt and putting some boundaries in my life.

The last sentence was easy to write but has been very hard to do. I try to do things like working on my dissertation for one hour at a time. In the past I would go to the library all afternoon and do a 15 minute task in two hours. I feel like, I have all this time--but I really don't. I have a lot of time and even more tasks to do. I've learned that being vigilant to when your mind wanders is key to knowing when to take a break. I've also turned off all audio and visual alerts to my email. Email in academia is like crack, it's great to receive one and no one tells you when you can and can't read it! So far so good but I'm still behind, why?

It's because I don't feel that adrenaline-based motivation. You know that feeling of excitement you get when you know you have a deadline in 12 hours and haven't started. In the past I've tried to start things early and felt at a loss for ideas. But when that deadline looms, the ideas flow right? Wrong! I often end up thinking that if I took my time when writing application essays for fellowships, grants, abstracts. . .you name they would be more refined. It also gives me less time to refine my writing.

Don't get me wrong, I've successfully completed tasks and received funding. But the more I think about my future, the more I just want peace in my life. When I started grad school I knew that I wanted to be a faculty member at a tier 1 institution, running a lab and mentoring students. Today, when I grow up, I just want to be happy. And that means living and appreciating every mundane minute as it comes instead of living for the next "event". That means, its time to grow up and "trade-up" adrenaline-based drive for self-inspired motivation.

Lately I've been thinking of becoming a science journalist. In reality, I'm really on the fence. I love learning about science, but doing the science can be grueling. I know that I have it in me to run a lab some day, but I'm really tired and need to revamp the way I live my life if I want to take on this time-intensive occupation. On the other hand, I love mentoring and I love watching conclusive results come in after I've performed experiments that I've thought of on my own. Science journalism allows you to stay in touch with the hot science that works but it also appeals to my affinity for meeting new people and dwelling within the "real world". I also feel like there's a voice inside me that can communicate science to the lay public, and I want to share it with others. Plus, writing research articles and my dissertation is boring! No one told me that it would be this boring, Ph.D.'s definitely do not receive enough credit for going through this mentally draining exercise.

Right now, I'm volunteering for opportunities to write for the public and am networking with other science writers. I've also learned that blogging about my hair counts as writing! Well, at least I can create clips to use in internship applications. I'm also reading "A Field Guide for Science Writers" and let me tell you, science journalism is no walk in the park! It's very competitive and you have to treat it like running a small business--but being an entreprenuer has always been of interest to me. What is great is that I can volunteer and gain writing experience to build my confidence as a writer, and at the same time be a post-doc and see if I like academic research as well. The future is looking brighter and is filled with possibilities--now all I have to do is write that pesky dissertation.

I have so say that I'm getting more and more paranoid about my grammar now that I'm thinking about writing as a career. Oh well, if I don't decide to be a science journalist at least my writing will get better! Anyway, I'll be blogging my dissertation progress as well as the daily events of life in Chi-town, so stay tuned! For now, check out this braid out! Did I forget to say that I love my SL's? I truly do!

Today is my Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:32:00 +0000

Hi Everybody,

Today is my birthday. I'm 32 and blessed. I'm truly happy today because I've been blessed with another year of life.

You never know when you will be taken from this earth so for me, every birthday is a blessing. When I turned 30 I decided to live life the way I want it, with joy and the ability to do what you want in life. What other time is better than right now!

So to all my Aquarii, Happy Birthday!

Take care,
Chi(:

More about me than you ever wanted to know. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:23:00 +0000

I've been tagged to reveal 25 things about me on facebook but I feel like doin' my own thang. So here's 20 things about me mixed with a game of catch up. Enjoy!

Two names you go by:
1. Chi-chi
2. Nonye Nwanyi (Which means Nonye "girl" because I have another male friend named Nonye Nwoke (boy)

Two of your favorite things to do:
1. Salsa Dance
2. Voraciously read really good books (which I will do promptly once I graduate)

5 things about me:

1. From elementary school till my fourth year in college I played the clarinet and bass clarinet. I was your typical band geek who played in orchestra, marching band and I loved playing in musical orchestras. I loved playing the clarinet so much that I almost became a professional musician. But somehow I became a scientist instead.

2. I hate cold cereal. There's something about it that repulses me. Even the smell of milk and cereal make me gag.

3. I love to dance. I love to learn different dances but my current favorite of all time is the Mambo.

4. I didn't have a major for about a year and a half when I started college. I just got so caught up with all my activities in high school that I forgot that high school would end and I didn't know what I wanted to do afterwards.

5. I've never had a real job--I'm working on that right now (:

Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. For my house to magically become clean! I'm in the middle of a purge and I really don't know where all this stuff came from but it's gotta go!
2. To know what God wants me to do with my life. I think I kinda know but how can one really be sure?

Two things you did last night:
1. Saw "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" This was an exquisitely beautiful movie, go see it if you can.
2. Upgraded my software to Microsoft Office 2008--trust me it took so long that it warrented a mention on this note.

5 more things about me:

6. I'm a gadget girl. I love things that will make my life easier and more efficient. My current crave is to have the Palm Pre when it comes out--but I'm wary of sprint.

7. I'm also a wanna-be computer geek. I would love to learn to code, but will settle on just knowing how to do about everything else.

8. I know how to make DNA from strawberries. Do you wanna know too? It's great for getting kids excited about science. if you wanna know I'll send you the protocol.

9. I love living in Chicago. If I could find a job, that I love, that would allow me to stay here I would take it in a heartbeat. Anyone out there need a Molecular Biologist?

10. I love me some Barack Obama, but I'm started to feel a little desensitized. I think I'm suffering from Obama-overload. But I know he's doing exactly what we sent him to Washington DC to do, get our country back, and I love him for it!

Two things you ate today:
1. Vanilla yogurt with pomengranate seeds and honey.
2. Jasmine rice mixed with Tomato-Coconut stew. (Mmmmmmmmm it was good!)

Two longest trips taken in the last five years:
1. To see my family in Nigeria
2. Mexico with Corey Jordan. Good times!

5 more things about me:

11. I like bicycling on the lake. I don't do it as much as I'd like to but when I do I love it!

12. I'm a former sprinter and long jumper. In my senior year of high school my team went to state! But we got schooled): I loved running sprints, now long distance that's something else but I'm committed to incorporating that in my life too.

13. I used to love hip-hop but when Dre and Ice Cube came on the scene and misogyny became the rule I had to leave it. But I still listen, just not as deep as when I listened to A Tribe Called Quest, Leaders of the New School, The Real Roxanne and De La Soul. I also had a crush on Heavy D. he was so cuddly!

14. I love trying out different restaurants. Call me a low-budget foodie (:

15. I'm addicted to NPR.

Two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas
2. July 4th
3. Obama Day (It only comes once in a lifetime) (on Nov. 5th, 2008--I took that day off, I was soooooooooo happy)

5 more things about me (I'm on a roll!):

16. I am afraid of scary movies--my imagination is too good, I keep putting myself in the victim's shoes. I'm working on it but they can be intense. I'll have nightmares for days.

17. I was born in Kearney, Nebraska. The doctors kept me in an incubator because I was the first African-American baby born in that hospital and they didn't know what to do. Isn't that crazy!

18. I wasn't raised speaking Igbo but I'm learning by piecemeal here and there. I don't like it but whatcha gonna do?

19. I'm a proud Hyde Parker. I've been trained to park in tight spaces and to to gangster a spot quickly if I'm in a parking war--that's the life (:

20. I have a mild case of road rage. I'm actually a very sweet person--I really don't drink and I've never done pot. But this is my one vice.

A New Year and A New Me

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Happy Belated New Year!

I have so much to be thankful for this year and one resolution that I have will be to blog more regularly and, now that the election has come and gone, more diversely. I can't believe it but I just celebrated my 3rd annual locversary! It's hard to believe that its been three years and yes I am madly in love with my SL's.

I have a lot on my plate for this year:

-I'm defending my thesis this quarter and the first thing I have to do is finish my experiments so that I can set a date with my committee. Nothing else matters until the date is set so I'll just be blogging my trials, triumphs and tribulation until then.

-I'm addicted to facebook-if I'm your friend you probably already know this.

-I'm also going to take ownership of being a better me. How will I do this? By continuing on my journey of self-love and acceptance. It started when I went to Nigeria this summer and fell in intense infatuation with someone other than my boyfriend. Within 3 weeks I was engaged and I broke up with my former boyfriend after I returned. However, as time passed I realized that I had made a huge mistake and I called it all off.

So where did that leave me? Single, again. But I'm learning a lot from my mistakes, notably that I often mistake infatuation for love and by the time it's worn off I'm stuck in a relationship that I don't want to be in but am afraid to end for fear of hurting the other person. I know, that was a long sentence! But luckily I'm learning and growing towards a path towards self love.

-This weekend I'm headed to DC for the inauguration! I'm excited but I don't have any tickets to anything! I'll prolly go to one ball, and if I do I'll send pics!

Talk to you soon!
Chi(:

Yes. We. Did. Barack Obama is MY President

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Is it me or is the sun shining a little bit brighter today? Today is a new day and last night, America turned the page on the deep depression that settled over us when George Bush was appointed president in 2000.

Barack Obama is my president. Michelle Obama is my first lady.

I have to repeat these sentences because it still feels surreal. I'm still pinching myself. I was at the rally in downtown Chicago and I had keep asking my friends, "Did this really happen?" Yes it did happen and in one day, the world has changed.

Getting a ticket to the downtown rally was truly a blessing from God because the Obama campaign emailed it to me at 4:23 PM last night. I was preparing to leave to join my friend and canvassing partner Tara as her guest downtown (bless you Tara!). For some reason, the email junkie in me saw 23 messages and made me check my email one more time before I left. I looked and there it was, "Waitlist update" and there was my ticket to the downtown rally. I couldn't believe it, I felt like I'd just received a golden ticket from Willy Wonka to go to his chocolate factory!

With this great opportunity, two more people were invited, I ran to lab to print them out and then I was off. I hopped on the green line and rode into downtown Chicago. After stepping off the train, everything was cool until I walked onto Michigan Ave. The place was bananas and I wanted every Obama shirt that I saw. After meeting up with friends, 4 security checkpoints, airport style metal detector checks and a lot of movement we were in and it was liberating!

It was funny because we were in the center of it all but we only had CNN to rely on. Without my eyes glued to a TV, I felt so unaware of what the news media was saying. My parents gave me updates and we stood next to a guy with a radio but we still were clueless at times because I guess we were in the middle of history. Everytime they called a race we cheered but in my heart I didn't believe it because I was looking for the percentage of precincts reporting as well as the exit polls.

It's funny because although I bought three buttons that declared victory for Obama, I had to see it for myself. First I saw 199 EV's and then 207. I knew that California would give 55 EV's so at 262 EV's we only needed 8 votes to put us over the top. So when Virgina was called I knew it was all over. Virginia was like a symbol for change because not long after that California was called for Obama and then the words that I dreamed to see on the CNN jumbotron, "Projected: Barack Obama, President of the United States!"

The crowd went wild and I screamed at the top of my lungs. I hugged my friends, my canvassing buddies and was vaclempt. I couldn't believe it. And then John McCain conceded. This was really happening! Oh my God, it's really happening. Barack Obama is the president! I called everyone that I could until my phone died. I dedicated my minutes to phonebanking that day but I didn't predict that I would use it until the battery died.

And then it began. The page turned and we bowed our heads for prayer. We prayed together in that crowd and then we said the Pledge of Allegience. I've never recited those words with so much pride for my country before. Yes, I finally feel like this is my country too. And then we sang the Star Spangled Banner and I sang every word with true sincerity in my heart. Next "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" by Stevie Wonder and "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher" by Jackie Wilson was played. We also heard "Only in America". But when they played "Sweet Home Chicago", I never felt more at home than I did that night. I love my city and last night we were the center of the universe.

Then there was silence and they announced the First family of the United States! I lost my mind and screamed again. I felt so much pride as the Obama family marched across the stage. In that moment, the Obama family was lifted up as a beacon of love and positive family values for all Americans and especially African-Americans to see. We have a new Huxtable example and they are real people. I felt like Black folks finally had a symbol, an example and a leader to follow. I saw Barack and Michelle embrace and I saw her say, "I love you too". Black love is beautiful y'all and it was there for all to see.

And then he made his victory speech and we closed the chapter on the Bush years forever. He set a new tone through his leadership and in one speech healed the nation.

This morning I woke up to NPR and they said it again, President Obama (smile). I went outside to pay the meter and saw that I got a $50 ticket 8 minutes prior. But it didn't matter, Barack Obama is the President of the United States. The flowers outside my apartment were shining brighter and the world is now on the right track.

We have a reason to believe again because with President Obama (I smile every time I type those two words) I see a brighter future ahead.

Today I feel like a normal person again. Like a "Born-again American". I feel like the civil rights that we lost with the Bush administration have been restored. I feel like common sense will rule again and that we now live in a world where anything is possible. Congratulations America! Welcome to a new day and a new world!

How will Obama's tax cut directly affect me?

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:19:00 +0000

Roadtrippin' for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:50:00 +0000

Hi all,

My sitemeter tells me that you have been checking out my blog so take a few minutes to check out my first attempt at being a director/producer. I made a video about a recent canvassing trip to Michigan. Let me know what you think!

Please pass this on to people who say they don't know about Barack Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:50:00 +0000

Americans want answers not distractions

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Yes spare us all because I'm all about action, not distraction.

Obama unplugged part II

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:58:00 +0000

Obama unplugged. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Ok, I'm not one to promote Faux News but I had to post this interview. It was Obama at his best, one on one blocking punches and givin' it back to O'Reilly. I'll be posting the rest of the interview over the next week.

Don't trust the media--Sarah Palin should not be our VP

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:26:00 +0000

***UPDATE*** You can find out more about Palin from the perspective of a Wasilla AK resident here.

This video clip should be enough to show that you can't trust the media. Before McCain's pick was chosen, the pundits were giving the obvious reasons why Palin would not make a good VP. Then immediately after the announcement they've changed their tune? Sounds like they are flip-floppin'! Please research the candidates for yourself and don't trust the media. Disclosure: I'm don't approve of McCain's choice. It scares me to think that Palin would be able to step in if McCain was incapacitated because she has no national or foreign exposure. And no, you cannot compare her to Obama because he has been vetted by 18+ million votes.

I think this choice really betrays how McCain makes tough choices. He uses his instincts (which could be wrong) more than information. His lack of judgement is clearly shown by the fact that he did not really check out the background of Palin before he offered her up for public scrutiny. Now, instead of admitting his mistake, he is stubbornly defending this woman despite her allegations of corruption, flip-floppin' on earmarks and thin resume. Sound familiar? I do not want third Bush term and I hope that you don't either. Please vote Obama/Biden '08!

Barack Obama is MY president!

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:17:00 +0000

It's hard to truly express how I feel now that Senator Obama has accepted the nomination to be our next president. After his speech I was proud, I felt secure and safe, I felt satisfied that he addressed the smears and then went on the offensive! And I felt a renewed sense of motivation to volunteer for the campaign again--I took some time off to work on a little thing called my thesis dissertation.

I also appreciated how Senator Obama spoke clearly and directly to the American people. He clearly outlined the policies that will be a priority in his administration. He clearly described that he would pay for it by ending the tax-break policy for the rich and by going through the national budget line by line to cut out the fat. Now this statement really resounded with me because we are paying 10.25% sales tax in Chicago to be able to pay for our politicians relatives to have a job and for police brutality settlements that are in the millions! I know that my local and national governments are not spending my tax dollars correctly so it makes me glad to know that atleast one of them is going to get an audit!

So from now on, I am attributing any claims that "He lacks substance" or "He can't pay for it" to either failure to listen--pay attention America-- or shady attempts to distort his policies for low-information voters.

Last night I witnessed history. I saw Barack Obama become the Democrat's Presidential nominee "not because of the color of his skin, but because of the content of his character."

And for the first time in my adult and young life, I am proud of my country. You see, being raised by Nigerian parents (who are now also US citizens) have instilled in me the need to be proud of my heritage. And despite all the drama, corruption and lack of infrastructure that plagues Nigeria, I am proud of my Nigerian heritage. I've gone home to Nigeria three times now (as recently as this summer) and each time I'm reminded that there is a place that I call home where I will not be discriminated against for my skin tone and that I feel like I am mainstream.

I've never felt that way in the US. I've always felt like African-Americans have been the exception and not the rule in mainstream America. And this feeling is not because we do not make up the majority of the population, it's because the mainstream culture of this country is completely ignorant of what it is like to be Black in America.

But last night, and actually from the day that I started volunteering for Barack Obama, I've actually felt like I was working to improve a country that was mine too. I've met people from all walks of life and we have been unified through our main goal of working to elect Barack Obama as president of the United States of America.

So now, I am proud to be a member of a country where I previously felt like I didn't belong. I'm proud of the citizens that realize that we have a choice and that choice is to make our government work for us, the people.

Thanks for reading this really long post! Please take some time to share your thoughts. Sincerely, Chi-Chi (:

Michelle Obama is my role model and my hero!

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:34:00 +0000

Growing up, I've had wonderful role models in my mother and older sisters and in close friends that I've grown up with. I've also had heroes like FloJo who, with her beauty and talent, made me want to be just like her as I pursued track in school. I've also had heroes in my Graduate Dean of students, a female scientist with a family and others. But in this election, I've added another hero/role model to my list. When I first saw Michelle Obama speak last summer, I felt a strong sense of inspiration to do better. She made me feel like nothing is better than devoting your life to the service of others and I was truly inspired by her. Last night she did it again! Unfortunately, the online press is not acknowledging her greatness and so I'm compelled to do so here. Please take a minute to watch her speech again and tell me how you were affected too.

Take care,
Chi(:

They told me to write!

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:04:00 +0000

Hey My Peoples!

Here's an update. I just had a meeting with my Thesis committee today where I described the three projects that was working on. At first I was nervous because I didn't know if they would think that I had enough data to constitute a thesis, but luckily I have too much data! (:

Basically I was told to write up the first and second projects and get the first one accepted in to a research journal and then complete the third project as a postdoc once I complete my thesis.

So basically, my committee told me to write up my data, and they will be chapters in my thesis! The experimental drudgery is over, let the writing begin!

Thanks again for your encouragement and your support. Keep praying because your prayers are working. I will keep you updated to let you know the defense date. I'm aiming for august but that will depend on the peer review process so we'll see.

Stay Tuned. . .
Chi-chi

OBAMA! 08! YES WE CAN! YES WE DID!

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:37:00 +0000

Hey blog family,

I haven't posted in a while because I have been working fervently in lab and finishing up experiments. I have a penultimate meeting with my thesis committee on June 16th so I pretty much have no life until my committee gives me permission to write my dissertation.

But today I just had to stop and mark this historic day. BARACK OBAMA HAS WON THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION!!!!! He surpassed the number of delegates needed to win!

Last night was surreal. It was so anticlimatic that I couldn't believe that it happened. But when I saw his speech I knew it was true. Obama makes me so proud! I'm proud of this country, I'm proud to support a winner, I'm proud to know that someone who I trust and believe in will be our next president!

I'm just smilin' today and I don't care. I have my "Obama" T-shirt on and it feels good to represent! I hope you all enjoy this day because we've just experienced history!

Well, back to work, I'll keep you posted on my defense date.

Chi(:

My Two Cents. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:08:00 +0000

As I listen to the media reaction to Barack Obama's speech on race I am sad, angry and proud. I'm proud because Barack Obama did not compromise himself in the face of considerable political pressure.

I'm angry because the press has minimized his speech to, "Did he reject his pastor or not?" This speech not only revealed more about his philosophy on race and politics it allowed Barack Obama to describe these past events as a distraction. We are being distracted from the issues and the more the media keeps this up the more people are looking away from problems that are real in their life.

I'm sad because in order to understand the situation fully people have to actually believe Barack Obama when he says that these sermon snippets do not represent the pastor or his church. But how will people believe that when all they see are these continuous clips of inflammatory speech? They would actually have to take Barack Obama at his word, research the church and the pastor and come to their own conclusions. But I'm sad because I don't think the American people want to do this. It's too easy to watch TV and let their opinions be formed by what they see in the media. But looking at those clips is like looking at a red spot on a white suit and calling the suit red.

If Barack Obama's relationship with his church and pastor are what people use to decide whether he should be president, then I have and am losing faith in the American people. I'm not sure we deserve Barack Obama's talent if it has come to this. What I do know is that I'm glad he took a stand for what he knows is true. This church is not racist and Barack Obama is not racist either. It's better that he maintains his character and lose the race than cave to political pressure, compromise himself and lose the race.

What happens next? I think that he will go back to talking about the issues but lets hope that this speech ends the discussion of his church and pastor. Judge Barack Obama for who he is--study him and his policies. But don't make assumptions about his pastor and then project your incorrect conclusions on him.

A more perfect union. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Here is the speech that Barack Obama made in Philly today. I'd like to give my comments later but I would like to hear your reaction first. Lemme know whatcha think!

I have an announcement. . .

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:37:00 +0000

Yesterday, I applied to graduate in the coming spring quarter!

In 70 days I have to:

1) Have a final thesis committee meeting and get permission to write up.

-So most of my experiments should be finished, I'm thinking by early april--This is tough because I keep thinking about questions that I want to answer and experiments that I can add in a short time! But I know that I can expand on those ideas after I finish and do a little transition post-doc in my current lab.
-In the meantime, I'm writing a review that will be published with my boss (first chapter of my dissertation).
-I'm working on a journal article that will describe my data (one or two chapters in my thesis)
-I'm compiling my data thus far--I have a lot, I didn't realize!
-And I'm praying for strength, I see a lot of long days in my future.

2) Submit my dissertation by April 30th (first draft)

-I want this to be my final draft, there will probably be changes after my defense
-I'll keep you posted on my defense date!

3) Submit a final draft of my dissertation by May 21st
-That's it, thesis defense done, dissertation signed off by my advisor and committee, it all has to be in, formatting changes made, that's it!

4) Walk and be "hooded" on June 13th!

I knew this time would come but it easily felt that it never would! I'm scared and excited at the same time, but it's time. . .I can't wait!

Talk to ya soon, and please keep me in your prayers, I need all the support I can get!
Chi(:

Finally, The press speaks out.

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:53:00 +0000

Keith Olbermann confronted Senator Hillary Clinton in a ten-minute "Special Comment," saying that he was not endorsing Barack Obama but that "events insist" that he speak and stand against her "tepid response" to the controversial remarks of Geraldine Ferraro wherein she said that Obama wouldn't have been as successful if he were not black.

Check out the video here.

Although I agree that race may play a role for some voters, I DO NOT condone Ferraro's comments NOR do I believe that Obama's lead in delegates and states is because he's African-American. There's something about the way he runs his campaign. It has themes of unity, integrity, and giving political power back to the American people. I don't know about you but his campaign and his character make me an Obama supporter. What do you think about Ferraro's remarks?

Obama is ready to be Commander in Chief

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:48:00 +0000

Dylan Loewe

The Case for Obama's Readiness

Posted March 10, 2008 | 08:57 AM (EST)
Hillary Clinton's success in Texas and Ohio suggest that questioning Barack Obama's readiness to lead may be a tactic that can resonate with voters. Though exit polling data from Wisconsin and other recent state primaries had suggested that voters saw Obama and Clinton as equally capable to be commander in chief, new numbers reveal a shift. A Newsweek poll now shows Clinton beating Obama on readiness with a 12-point margin.

The poll also finds that only four percent of Democratic primary voters view national security as their top priority. But if Clinton continues to make national security the centerpiece of her campaign, we may see those numbers begin to increase.

Much of the media views Obama as facing a delicate and unique challenge. It will be difficult, they argue, for him to repudiate her attacks without appearing to have abdicated the high ground. For the most part, this portrayal is overblown. The last six months of the Democratic race have included serious and sustained negative attacks from the Clinton campaign; throughout all of it, Obama has been able to attack swiftly from a defensive position without undercutting the rationale of his candidacy, or damaging his persona.

Yet these new attacks do bring with them a sense of urgency. Hillary Clinton has displayed a surprising willingness to paint her Democratic rival as less qualified than the Republican nominee. Her success won't do much to deliver her the nomination, now nearly out of reach. But it may help produce vulnerabilities in Obama's armor, each of which will be meticulously exploited by John McCain. As a result, Obama must respond quickly, making an honest case for his readiness.

But if he is to convince the voters of his readiness to lead, he must first define what it means to be ready.

The presidency requires a vast knowledge base, not just of policy, but of philosophy and history. Each decision requires a distinct framework of thinking, one that has been shaped by collective wisdom. Surely Barack Obama meets this test -- the Harvard Law Review editor, turned constitutional law professor, turned United States Senator. Obama brings to bear a deep understanding of the world around him.

The president must also be capable of asking thorough questions to his advisers, the only real tool for analyzing the validity of disparate arguments. A knowledge base is a prerequisite for such an ability, but it is not sufficient to guarantee it. One must be able to connect what, to some, may seem unconnected, to draw analogies to history and politics that help frame the decision. It requires instinct and perspective, precision and insight. Obama's decisionmaking framework, as described by Cass Sunstein of University of Chicago, is thorough and non-ideological. He is "a careful and even-handed analyst of law and policy, unusually attentive to multiple points of view."

Readiness also requires a coolness under pressure, the ability to stay even-tempered, to be unflappable in a crisis. Neither Clinton nor Obama have had the authority to make decisions even remotely close to those within the power of the president. That is a distinction reserved to only 41 people since George Washington, one of the many reasons to discount a candidate's claims to experience.

But Obama's temperament on the campaign trail does reveal, to some extent, how he responds to pressure. Without exception, Obama has exhibited a calmness, an assured self-confidence that falls well short of arrogance. He is resolute and measured whether winning or losing, and has stayed emotionally intact throughout. If the campaign is a yard-stick for the presidency, Obama is ready.

Armed with a knowledge base, strong instincts, a questioning spirit, and an even demeanor, a president still cannot be ready without judgment. A president must have the ability to gather all that is needed to make a decision. But ultimately, they must make the right one. There can simply be no better metric for judging a presidency. To date, Obama has displayed an almost prophetic judgment.

He was right on the Iraq war in 2002. His judgment was based on a working understanding of Middle East geopolitics, as well as non-ideological instincts and the willingness to ask pointed questions. If there are weapons of mass destruction, but we don't know where they are, what will happen to them when we destroy the government that controls them? Iraq and Iran have balanced each other's power in the region. Will Iran's strength and influence expand when we create a power vacuum? What happens after we gain control of the country? Is there any way to avoid an occupation?

His questions received answers that solidified his opposition.

He has shown similar foresight in other global policy decisions. He questioned whether the U.S. relationship with Pervez Musharraf was the most effective means of dealing with Pakistan. Months later, his concerns have been validated as the U.S. finds itself on the wrong side of a Democratic revolution. He spoke of the need to target senior al Qaeda leadership in Pakistan, even without Musharraf's approval. Recently, the U.S. succeeded at doing just that, taking out the third-highest ranking al Qaeda official. He was right to question the Bush administration's saber-rattling toward Iran, once again vindicated by a National Intelligence Estimate that found Bush's case to be far overstated. He has proven, time and again, that his global worldview is sound and sophisticated, and that he has the tools to make the right decisions. In terms of judgment, Obama is clearly ready.

The readiness debate will no doubt continue. But from any honest perspective, the answer to Hillary Clinton's threshold question is clear. Can Barack Obama be an effective commander in chief?

Yes he can.

Wake up America, we are smarter than fear.

noreply@blogger.com (Chi-chi) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:07:00 +0000

Check it out!