Colorless

Friday, May 12, 2006

Finally, another load off my shoulders... but still alot more.

Halo! (I never understood why ppl use this word. It exists u know? It means a glowing ring, usually associated with the saints and angels)

Hey, haha! I know I know... very long nv blog already. U don't know how busy I was with my assignments ok. K, maybe throughout the week I haven't really been doing constantly, but it's enough to stop me blogging even a short entry.

Firstly, I've been catching lots of insects... or trying to catch lots of insects. Been cycling around the place searching for the more exotic ones. Then there's Virology Prac also. Need to do the stupid write-up of all the pracs, and also the report on WNV... Majority of u probably don't know but WNV stands for West Nile Virus. I won't delve into the depths of virology. Suffice to say, it's really a headache, the project that we did.

Ok, for those who might (but I highy doubt so) know, I just wanna type it in here la. It's what I understand of it:

"WNV has a protease encoded in a gene called NS3, which cleaves the gene at functional parts in order for the virus to be infectious. In order for NS3 protease to cleave these sites, it must bind to NS2B, which is a cofactor found in the NS2B gene. So, it has been found that if NS3 is not able to cleave the sites, the virus cannot become infectious. And it has been found that if any of the cleavage sites has its amino acid residue changed, NS3 also cannot cleave. And it has also been found that if an amino acid residue of the 40amino acid long NS2B is changed, affinity of NS2B and NS3 will be altered so that they do not bind to each other, thus NS3 will be unable to cleave, rendering the virus uninfectious. This has been an area where virologists think has the potential for antiviral drugs to curb WNV. Hence, our project is to mutate each of the 40amino acid residues to Alanine so that we can see which residue plays an important role in inhibiting NS2B from binding to NS3."

Get it? No? I don't blame u. It took me a couple of hours in the library with Mai to realise this. Haha! Ya, so anyways, that would be the kinda crap I've been dealing with for the past week. And others too... for those who know, such as Western blotting, Coomassie Blue staining, E. coli transformation and mutation etc etc... bleah. Stupid la.

And the insects so hard to find can! Hymenoptera has so many species! Hymentoptera is the group that consists of bees and ants and wasps etc... insects with 2 pairs of wings and a sting or bite that may or may not be toxic. Ya, everything I catch happens to be hymenoptera! Otherwise, it's the Diptera... true flies. Insects with only 1 pair of wings. Ya! Can't find Mantodea (praying mantises), can't even find Blattodea (cockroaches) can! Wah lau...

Ok ok, enough science.

Been sleeping really late lately also. Like 3 or 4am in the morning? Last night I rushing my reports, I slept from 4 to 5 I think. That's all. And the previous nights also like that... very tiring. Haha! Mai said my eyebags are huge. Haha!

Oh, and I dyed my hair blue! Haha! Fudged it (Fudge is a hair care brand and they have this semi-permanent dye that lasts for abt 20 washes) with 3yr old Fudge. Seems like the dye spoil le... so when this blue one washes out, I'm gonna buy a new Fudge. Purple Haze! Check it out:

http://www.fudge.com/fudge/main/index.php?select=semi-permanent&ID=23&MID

Raspberry Beret looks nice too. See how lor... $16 each.

Hmm... next assignment: Arthropods & Human Health PBL. Topic: Lyme Disease. So lame...

Aiyah, sorry la... My whole head is filled with assignements right now. The fact that I just got Virology off my mind temporarily pulls in other upcoming assignments. And exams too! Wah seh... die sia. If I'm not wrong, 10th, 13th, 22nd... stupid... stretch over such a long period. But nvm, at least I got time to study for the 22nd one.

My well-being... hmm, let's see. Health-wise, so far so good. 2 nights ago had a very slight dry cough but I was alright after drinking Nin Jiom Pei Pa Gao mixed with hot water. That's all I guess. Sleepy lor. But coffee, which didn't use to work, seems to work quite alright. Of course, by coffee I meant black coffee, no sugar, no milk. Ok, maybe occasionally with sugar. But it's not bad. Haha!

Anyways, ok ok... I think now my head is clearer. Had a nap just now... 1 and a half hours... after dinner some more. Last night I had my dinner at 2am. Haha! Cooked pumpkin! And butter potato with chopped hamburger. Ya... cooked enough for 3 meals, so that leaves me with 1 meal. That'd be for tmr lunch... or dinner. Did I mention that this butter potato dish was imagined while I was shopping in Woolworths Ind'roo? Ya... was thinking of what to cook for dinner then I saw pork stir-fry going at $4.50 for 600+ grams, so I thought of what I can cook with pork... and this recipe magically popped into my head! And it turned out quite well, if I do say so myself. Haha!

Oh oh, ya, Ind'roo that day. I cycled there after catching some insects around UQ Lake. Bought so many groceries la... haha! In the end I cycled all the way back home with just 1 hand controlling the bike. There was this point where an upslope was looming, and I was holding the bags on my right hand, then I needed to lower the right-hand gears. So I cleverly used my left hand to reach over to the right gears (yes, I can ride without hands)... and twisted the gears, at the same time pulling the handlebars! Haha! The bike went outta control and I fell in the middle of the road! Haha! Luckily there weren't any cars. And it's quite amazing how I fell... I actually jumped off the bike u know? With all the stupid groceries still in my hand! And I managed to still be standing up on the road, groceries in one hand, unscathed. So cool la! Then i quickly dragged my bike to the curb for examination. Wah, the handlebars in line with the wheel can! Haha! U know how they're supposed to be perpendicular? Yeah, it's now parallel! Small problem. Twisted it back. Next problem, the chain came off... wah lau. Hate that... coz it always dirties my fingers. But that's also a small problem. So there, I righted my bike, got my stuff & headed home again, riding with 1 hand. I feel like I'm typing a story... But yeah, I said a prayer on the way home, and all was well to my door. Amen.

Hmm... what other interesting stuff? *thinks* Oh! I found out where I can dig for termites! Haha! Isoptera! Yeah... 1 more Order down!

Oh I know I know! Today's Arthropods prac! Yeah, we looked at fleas & lice, and we had to identify 10 ticks lor! Wah, that one is really hard. But after awhile, u know what you're looking for, things get easier. Spent like 2h for the prac... I'd say about 1 & a half hours is spent on the tick. Haha! Yeah... I wish I own a microscope now. Haha! I wonder how much 1 costs... probably like a few thousands. But I really feel like owning 1. It's so cool to observe these critters at home...

Ok ok... everytime my entries so long... I think I should compile these entries into a book. Bleah...

Everyday he gets too preoccupied with work. He neglects her, he knows. But she awaits his call faithfully day by day, only to be disappointed yet again. Sorry darling, sorry for all this. Believe in me, and we'll make this work. I love you.

"I don't know but I believe
That some things are meant to be.
And that you'll make a better me,
Everyday I love you.

I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do.
You know that I learn somethng new,
Everyday I love you.

'Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don't you know that I do)
And you'll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.
It's a touch when I feel bad;
It's a smile when I get mad.
All the little things I am,
Everyday I love you.

If I asked would you say yes?
Together we're the very best.
I know that I am truly blessed,
Everyday I love you.
And I'll give to you my best,
Everyday I love you."

-Boyzone: Everyday I Love You

Love me if you dare... 14:53
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