accepted!

Today was a beautiful day!
Today I received an e-mail from a Journal of Microbiological Methods confirming that my paper has been accepted for publication!
This is amazing!
My very first published paper, that someone at some point will even read.
I'm happy.
I still have hope.
To leave this place and have a life.
And I have actually accomplished something.
It was about time.

And, man, it was a long journey. I sent it (my manuscript) off the first time one year ago. To the journal called New England Journal of Medicine - Science citation index 42!
It came back negative (rejected).
Then I tried Nature Biotechnology - no luck.
Nature Method - they seemed to like it, but still refused. No reviews even - just editor saying no.
Then Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - it went out to reviewers. But they didn't like it. Or it seemed that they just didn't like the general concept of peptides as future antibiotics.
Anyway - negative.
And then - I sent it to JMiMet (SCI about 2.2). It was in the beginning of June.
And now - it's accepted!

I am happy!

Julia and I celebrated too:)
We had a smoothie on the roof of the shopping mall.
I had a huge cinnamon bun.
We did yoga.
We had sushi.
We had tea.
We had more tea.

And tomorrow I'm going to the sauna at the Nordic Spa. It's time to rejuvenate and get my second manuscript in.

Let me come in

So they say.
And then they will come in.
For a glass of water.
Or washroom.
Or suddenly they have to see on a map where is Estonia.
And then...
... then they stay.
And then they find an excuse to move closer.
And they say some nice things.
etc.

And I always fall for this initial "may I come in for a second" part.
I guess it wouldn't be that bad, if they would be hot.
Sometimes they are. But still the timing is wrong.

One funny example here.
His name is Mahmoud. He is my ex-student (which means he is quite young).
We saw each-other at work, and he talked and talked and talked until I gave up and gave him my number. He promised a dinner. And what could I have against food? Nothing.
A week passed.
He called.
He said he's coming over and then we'll figure something out. So that was his way to get into my apartment.
And then he tried sweet talking to convince me to make sweet love with him. I was not too interested, and I told him so. But he didn't give up. So he kept trying and I kept blocking. It went on for a while, and he even told me: "why do you have to be so sarcastic?".
I don't know.
Anyway. The best line was the following: "Let me just put IT in (you) and if you don't like, then I will take it out".
Wow.
HOW could I resist this offer?
Easily! I just had hard time not to laugh.
He gave up soon after this.
And the thing is that I tried to teach him, that if you like a girl, then first you take her out for coffee or something, and then for dinner, and then at some point you could move on to the next stage. But he didn't master this skill yet.
And - after all this, have I heard from this guy? No. It has been a while. It's his birthday today.

His line - I think it's classic!

And then there was other Mahmoud. Also my ex-student. Also young. Similar story, just that it was his house, and it was a party, and he managed to get rid off all the guests in the half-minute and then made the sudden move on me. And I thought that he's just my friend... Yea, right...
It's sad, because I really thought he's a nice guy.

Once somebody asked me, whether all my male students have crush on me. I said, that I have no idea. I guess they do have crushes...
But I'm just not sure whether it's a good thing...

All I want is a nice and normal guy.
Perhaps they are all extinct?

Feed me!

.. because I'm a hungry and poor graduate student.
And guess what - people do:)

Another Estonian event - Kiili Vanamuusika Ansambli kontsert (concert of Kiili old-age/renaissance music), which was held at the Tabaret Hall (University of Ottawa). It was great! Wonderful music. annnd - after the concert there was a small reception. Oh, how I love receptions. So that was dinner - some watermelon, cheese and crackers and wine. Amazing.
The best part was the end, where I got the chance to take all the leftovers with me. Isn't this great? So I have a box full of crackers, carrots, and cheese. And hummus. I'm set until Sunday, me thinks.
And all of it 'cos they know that I'm poor and hungry grad student.
But on the other hand - I want to have real life already. I don't want to eat leftovers and any free food there is. I guess I gotta take myself together and run - to the finish! (I wish it were that simple like running. I have to write. A lot. And writing is harrrd...)

hello how are you?

"hello how are you? i believe in the love to first see, becouse you like so much to me, i like youy eyes, yur lips more becouse you kiss like angel, plis answer me---- my name is enrique i met you en canada i mexican"

This is an e-mail I received today. I think I have hopes to get married:)
But actually - what would one answer to this? I'm not sure I even master the language...

It all started on Thursday when I went to have a drink with Marc at the Cafe Nostalgica. I had ended up having two, and then I learned that Dennis are getting married and it's his bachelor party the next day. And SoulJazz Orchestra was playing (i like their music). So of course I had to go out on Friday as well then.

Dennis is an interesting character. He is at the Cafe Nostalgica almost every day. Every time he's drunk and/or high. And he has been there for a few years I think. He looks good though, a little bit like Brad Pitt:) Last summer him and my friend had a fight because of me. It was very awkward. But all passed eventually.
And so he is getting married to a very religious girl (Jehova witness or someone like it). And apparently she is pregnant too, despite the disbelief of pre-marital sex. It will be interesting.

Anyway - so Friday I came around. I was sick all day (something in my lunch didn't agree with me), but by the night I thought it's good to get some calories through vodka, while sterilizing at the same time. Julia and Jaan came over with Viru Valge vodka and grapefruit juice. We had two pretty strong drinks, and headed off to the Cafe Nostalgica.

We enjoyed the music. I had a beer. We were sitting down and chatting. And then these 3 guys came in, one in a red t-shirt and the other with the striped shirt. And the striped one smiled to me.

Once Julia left, the Red T immediately sat next to me and started chatting. And the Stripes just smiled. Soon I figured that one speaks some English, the other one doesn't really. They were really nice. They are here for a course of some sort. So we chatted a little. Red T was trying to convince me that I'm not as old as I tell I am. That was an interesting strategy. And then the Stripes asked me for a dance. Everything was fine, except he was trying to kiss me at any possible moment, I guess to make up not speaking.
So we exchanged e-mail addresses and they went home.
I finally got a chance to talk to my friends.
And then all of the sudden Stripes was back. He came and stood next to my chair and he put his arm around my shoulder. And he just stood there. I felt bad for him, and I also felt uncomfortable. I continued talking to my (male) friend, as I couldn't talk to my Mexican friend. Then a bit later my other friend Marc came over, and decided to hug everyone, including Stripes. He got puzzled and decided to leave. Poor guy. And now I have to figure out what to tell him...

Happy Birthday, Canada:)

It's Canada Day.
It's also 7.30 am. And I just got home. Leslie and I had a few drinks last night, and then we went to one house party (one of Leslies friends was throwing a party). That was a weirdest party ever. First I met Aaron there. I haven't seen him for a year or so, and now we happened to be at the same party. Then I met Jason - he is a old buddy of mine, whom I haven't seen for year either. And there he was. And then there was one of my neighbors - the Turkish guy. He lives in my building and we say hi.
Very interesting party. And so we just hanged out and chatted. And danced! I haven't danced for such a long time. It was awesome!! (except the part, where one of my boobs decided to escape my dress, but I don't think anyone noticed:).
We tried leaving at 2 or so, but got convinced otherwise. So we stayed, and drank more. And danced more. I met a guy from Uruguay.
And I just got home!
Such an amazing morning though. So beautiful! So quiet. Sunny! Kastepiisad päikese käes sillerdamas.
Now it's time to have a nap, and then I can reconvene to drinking! In Canada, Canada Day is a BIG event! Everyone is out and partying, and there are concerts and fireworks and a big, big party!

time flies

Crazy. June is almost over. Where did it go? I have a few ideas.
First - one day we went to the Aerial park near Ottawa. It's this neat park, where you can climb trees. But not just climb, but go through obstacle courses and fly with zip lines. It was amazing! So much fun. I have some pictures up too (http://picasaweb.google.com/evelin.loit/AerialPark).
The next day I was pretty sore. But it felt good!

Then Fringe festival started. It's a avantgarde theater festival. I volunteer there. And for the second time I'm billeting somebody (billeting means taking someone to live at your place). I'm billeting Amy Salloway. In return I get a VIP pass to the festival, which is amazing. By now I have seen 15 shows (it's nothing compared to last years' 30 shows). Some of these shows are better than the theater shows at the National Art Center here. But theater in general is not very popular here. The only thing with Fringe is, that I haven't had a chance to rest properly.

One day Dorota and I had a hula hooping date at her place. Along with dinner, and make-up, and TV. Such a wonderful night:) It started funnily though. We took a bus, and shortly after the bus started driving, I kneeled down, wine in one hand, in front of one guy like proposing to him (he was married though). But what happened was that when I wanted to change seats, the bus was speeding so fast that I lost balance and fell on my knees, partly over this guys lap. The bus kept speeding and stopping and turning, so I stayed on the bus floor for a few minutes. I just couldn't get up. Thankfully I didn't break anything (besides some skin). And in retrospect it was pretty funny:)

And the rest is a blurr...

still alive / weird weekend

it has been a while... it's not that I haven't experienced or felt anything interesting and worth sharing. it's just that for some reason I haven't made it here to write about it... I'll try to make it up.
In short:
* my Mum, my aunt and my cousin were here in Ottawa in April. I will try to talk about it longer. But in short - it was a neat time. Also tiring. I think that one reason that took over my writing spirit.
* I had my Comprehensive exam No 2. It was stressful. It was crazy. It made me feel horrible. But I passed. Which means, that now I have the green light to get my PhD. yay:) all I need now are just a few tiny details: I need some results, I need to write it all into one big book that no-one besides my examiners will read, and I need to defend it. This is what I'm doing right now. But right after my exam I had an existential crisis. I was not sure who I am, and why I am, and what the hell I am and will be doing with my life. And I was also unsure about the people in the world and their actions. I think I passed this part. I hope. But probably it's still in the back of my mind.
* I spent a week in Moosonee and Moosefactory, teaching highschool kids science. I suggest, you check from google maps, where it is. It's in Northern Ontario, at James Bay. It doesnt look like it's THAT far, but there are no roads connecting this place with civilaztion. Just planes. and a train. we took a plane. actually three tiny planes. I will post my pictures soon, and I will talk about it more.
* and now I'm back in Ottawa, in my cave-lab, in my life. I wanted to go to Kopenhagen and visit home after that, but I had to cancel this trip due stress. I REALLY need to finish up here. I can travel once I have my degree. I think. I hope.

But now about recent stuff.
We had a Lets Talk Science volunteer appreciation night. It meant a free drink and some free food. It has been 15 years since the beginning of Lets Talk Science program. It was neat to see all the development. And it was crazy to think that I have been part of it for 4 years. Already.
But the BEST part was, that I won an award for significant contribution in science outreach. So I got the certificate in the frame and 100 dollars. I am SO happy! Somebody actually sees and appreciates my efforts!

After that Julia and I went for icecream. I had kiwi and chocolate/hazelnut one. super tasty!!

After that I was pretty tired, so I passed out at 10 pm or so. I woke up at 2.30, because I was hot and hungry. I changed into my pj's, and didn't find anything to eat. I just went back to bed. But my neighbours had a party and they were chatting on their porch, which is next to my bedroom window. I was trying to fall asleep, but couldn't. It was 3.30. I got up, and checked my fridge again for some food. Still negative. And then somebody was knocking on my door. I got scared, switched off the lights, and kept quiet. People left. I think they were visitors next door. I went back to bed, but my neighbours were too loud still. I tried to fall asleep. No results. It was 4.30. My phone rang. At 4.30, this was very odd. It was Mahi, my ex-student from the Biotech class the last year (the cute one). I picked up, and he asked what am I doing. Sleeping, of course. He goes: "Listen, I'm coming over. Or, you could come over here" (he lives a block away). I said, that he can come over, but I'm not moving. So he came. He seemed slightly tired (read: intoxicated). And man, he had so much he wanted to share and pour off from his heart. About school, exams, people, girls... lots of things, that are dumb and stupid. So we talked. I mean, he talked, and I listened.
He left, when it was light out (past 6 am).
One thing that we discussed was the thing that in canada people are very particular about money. They are always aware how many cents someone owes someone. Even between friends. And at one point it becomes very annoying. Julia and I have discussed it too. It's so much easier, sometimes just one pays for the stuff, and then the other time it's the other person.

Today (Saturday) Julia and I had some carrot cake and watched the Blood Diamond (great movie, but slightly too bloody for me). I left her house around 1.30 am. I was walking home. First I ran into Parry - a greek dude I know since I got to Canada. He's an interesting guy. We have some great philosophical discussions time to time. I haven't seen him for a while. So we chatted, and then I continued my walk. I decided to get some milk from Loeb (a grocery store near my home). I walk in, and whom do I see between onions and veggies? My ex-boyfriend from last winter. The one who just disappeared into the thin air. I called him Mr. Promises, and Mõttetu Mees. I don't have too good of an opinion of him. And there he was, with his new girlfriend. So I had to be nice. We chatted a bit. He still hasn't finished his kitchen and other unfinished businesses he had in the winter. He also promised to bring me my sweater I somehow forgot to his place in the winter. Yes, we will arrange for it (Yea, right). I think I was a bit too sarcastic.
My goodness - who goes shopping at 1 am on Saturday night??? And he lives about 15 km out of town. And he is in MY store?? Crazy dude. I walked out the store and I even couldn't remember his name, which is a good thing, I guess... I did remember his dogs' name though. Jake. I even asked about him, and he's doing great. But his name... who cares anyway. Jerks are not worth spending memory space on them, right?

Ok, I'm not nice now. Perhaps I need some sleep:)
Tomorrow I'm going to climb trees:) I need energy for this.
Goodnite:)