Canada won gold because ...

...of Estonians. Or an Estonian I should say.
I'm a little behind, but I just realized that Canada won a gold medal in Men's 8 Rowing in Bejing Olympics. And guess who was one of the lucky 8? Yes, an Estonian is a correct answer. His name is Adam Kreek (his father is Estonian). If I were to be in Toronto, I could go and say "tere" to him on Oct 17th. But I know someone, who is going to be in Toronto that day... coming all the way from Estonia.... maybe he should go....

Eh, what would be the world do, if there would be no Estonians?
The world is SO lucky!

happy thanksgiving

I'm so full at this moment, that I'm afraid I might break. I had a Thanksgiving dinner at my supervisor's place, and it was amazing! The food was super tasty including turkey, stuffing, potatoes and cranberry jam and pumpkin pie (the food is always extremely delicious in this house) and the company was great. And the weather was amazing. It was close to 20 degrees today. So after we had the welcome wine that was made by Larissas' father's winery in Moldova and then brought all the way here by Larissa, we went outside to have some welcome bubblewine. And there were strawberries. It was perfect.

Thanksgiving is this very popular holiday here in North America. In Canada it's on the second Tuesday in October, and in States it's on the fourth Thursday in November. It's essentially about eating turkey (and lots of it) and spending time with the family. The Monday is a day off, so nicely extending the weekend to fir more turkey in. The deeper meaning of Thanksgiving is to celebrate the harvest and be thankful for making it so far (that's my interpretation). The tradition started already at 1500 or so, when one dude called Martin Frobisher went to look for the way to get to the oriental part (China and co) of the world through the North. I'm not sure whether he found it or not, but nevertheless he returned alive and well, and he threw a formal dinner at 1578 to be thankful over surviving the long journey. And actually the native people in North America had been celebrating something like harvest celebration way before that.

Also, already old estonians used to celebrate something similar to Thanksgiving. And we continue to (sort of) celebrate it - it's called Lõikuspüha (Harvest Holiday). I don't know too much about the history though.

Saturday was nice too! I did some baking, and made two "poppyseed pastries" or (moonikringel). And I had invited Eve and Jakov and Samuel to visit. I always visit them and now for a year or so I have had the idea to invite them over. So finally I made it. And it was really, really nice! We had tea and kringel and wine and fruits and chatted. And Samuel really liked my fish and superhigh bed. In the beginning he asked, why is my bed so small, which I didn't understand, because my bed is a meter off the ground, plus it's a doublebed. But perhaps they have different measures at this age.
After I went to Mikes/Natalies to feed Audi. She was in a crazy mood - she kept dropping herself on the side on the carpet and then stretch and roll around. And so over and over. Some sort of interpretative dance that I don't know how to read. Yet. So I decided to go for a swim. The swim was NICE. Nobody else there, and the water doesn't have chlorine (I think they use ozone to kill the evil). Supernice. And then - I went to the womens changeroom to change. I considered going up just in a towel, but then thought that perhaps it's not the best idea. And in the change room - first I saw one indian woman who came out of the sauna and asked whether I wanted to use it. I said no, it's too cold for me. And then, a guy jumped out from the sauna. And then the indian woman says, oh, I wanted to warn you about my husband. And then they disappeared back to the sauna. Thankfully I'm Strong Eastern European Woman, and one indian guy doesn't interfere with my inner peace too much, but I was still a little confused. Was I supposed to change? Were they planning on leaving any minute? I thought for the moment, and then, after double checking that I was in womens change room, I thought that what the hell, it's MY territory, therefore I can be naked here if I want to. And he needs to deal with the consequences (from the wife?), if he doesn't like it.
I didn't see them again.

Later I invited Leslie over to also have a share of the kringel and fruits and wine, and we had a nice quietish evening.
Oh, and this morning (Sunday) we (that is Leslie and I) went for a nice market venture! To catch some shiny zucchinis and giant leeks and enjoy some pastries at the Market Hall. I should visit the market more often!

Such a good times! I like!

Happy World Egg Day

Did you know it was the international Egg day today?
Now you know:)
It's the day to spread the word and raise awareness about the goodness of the egg.
Celebrate well - have an egg:)

some days are better, some not so much

Yesterday (Monday) was a catastrophe day. I overdid on thinking (and work), as it happens sometimes.
I worked all Saturday (and for what? On Monday I found out that my antibacterial drugs helps Campylocbacter to grow compared to the one that has no drug. What the h... ?). All Sunday I was sitting in front of my computer, waiting for the "writing gods" to give me the green light. The light never came, or I just missed to notice. But so I was sitting here, forbidding myself all the fun/life before I write.
First my goal was to finish my paper (I like to set huge (day) goals. Such as: Finish PhD - $yeap, I should be done by 4 pm:P $). Then I thought - ok, at least work on the paper a little bit. Perhaps one sequence alignment?? NOTHING happened. I just couldn't do it.
And then, because I didn't rest, didn't work, only thought about having to work, my mind got overheated. At midnight I was done. Kaput. But no, the sleep couldn't come either, because my mind had thoughts running by 1000 thoughts per minute. So... there I was. Stressed and awake - I couldn't work and I couldn't sleep. Until 5 am.

So Monday was not pretty. I was way too overstressed (and stressed over what??? ...nothing too serious!). Ok, I had to meet my supervisor.... And guess, what I ended up doing? I just avoided him. Horrible.
Overall - no productivity for yesterday either.
This comics is SO me on Sunday and Monday: www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1079

The other big thing was that I lied yesterday. And I felt terrible (and even more terrible today, when we had a lab meeting). I saw a paper presentation (sort of like a draft, but sort of ready to be presented). It was not by my taste really (to put it softly). But there seemed to be SO much that needed changing (by my standards), so I thought, ok, I will give a few suggestions to fix the bigger things, and the rest could potentially stay. And I said "good job" (because I believe in encouraging attitude). Because it was a good effort that was put into it. It just needed some (arguable amount) work (but who am I to tell people what they should do? Maybe I have too high expectations? Maybe I would be too harsh to undergrads?). Anyway... the presentation today was ... long (2 h) and "slightly" painful. I felt bad... I had an opportunity to ease it a little, and I didn't (even though, I did suggest a few things that would have helped, if they would have been taken into consideration).
On the other hand, my first presentation in Canada was a disaster. I felt horrible squared. But I learned quite a bit from this one presentation.

So today (Tuesday) was disasterous too... This two hour lab meeting. Plus another meeting, where after half an hour or so the conclusion and to-do list was exactly the same as at the previous meeting (am I crazy to expect progress?). Something has happened to my patience recently. I used to be able to tolerate almost anything. Now I need to remove myself physically from the situation (if I want everyone participating to remain scratchless to say the least).
But the good things were here too:
I located one super difficultly accessable paper. I just need to go and get it. Tomorrow.
I had a nice TA experience (I prepared well! See this comics): everyone seemed to listen and comprehend, no one complained, I had an amazing meal during the TAing, and I was done and done by 9.20. Good!
After I went to the Cafe Nostalgica and had some beer. Add in some dancing and it was an amazing night.
Tomorrow it will be even better!

and then there was October

Uhh... October already...

* I had a long and quite productive meeting with my supervisor about my paper (from 10 am to 3.30 pm)

* I made a decision to expand my family and acted on it (no, I'm not or planning to be pregnant). It's a "She". I think her name will be Leslie. Unless there will be competition. Ideas?

* I went to the amazing concert with Julia, Vanja, Kristin, Teodora and her fiancee. It was Bossa Nova 50th anniversary Celebration concert with Marcos Valle and Roberto Menescal. It was AMAZING. There is some of their stuff on Youtube - I warlmy recommend (especially the ones that they Bossa Nova 50 anos). We liked a lot "Balansamba", "Samba de Verao", "Os Grilos", "Que Bandeira".
You could check some here (just skip the intro part ~1.22 min) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21vjGucXSu8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bVKxKw7euU
The two guys were real characthers on the stage. Lots of fun!
And one of them, Roberto, reminded me Reza a lot (4 - I haven't told him yet, but I will).

* after the concert we saw lots of mysterious white tents at the Major Hill Park. It was an art installation to bring awareness for intellectual disabilities. So there were lots and lots of tents, each of them having light and piece of art in them. It was 10.30 pm. The grass was wet. And the big curious clouds were in the sky.
Very neat!

* and then we had dinner with Julia, Leslie and Fabien.
Unbelievable, that Julia is going back to Estonia. Of course, she is Master Julia now, and she can. And I still need to be patient and wait....
I put the pictures together for her (since Jan 2006), and there's so much we have done. Lot's of "crazy" and "fun". I can see my life changing into more boring now. Or who knows...
Bon voyage, Julia! Hopefully we'll see in December!
The topics covered that who we are and where we are and who we want to be and who we might become. And we had unanimous understanding that we could all call ourselves the "head retards". It's a good thing.

* I also managed to spend an entire Saturday at the lab. Working. Wet-lab-working. I think I'm out of my mind. I'm fixed on this idea, what I want one more piece of information for my paper and thesis. But if this trial will be as inconclusive than the first one, then I should just ignore it right now and move on with REAL stuff - that is writing.

explanation

Perhaps you figured that the last post was not written particularly in my style. And you are correct - the last post was not written by me. Just that you know.
It was written by two true fans:)
And they were reflecting the funness of the night!
Yesterday was Julias last night in Ottawa. So Leslie made a supertasty dinner, I made the salad, and Fab came with wine. It ended up being really really nice quiet night. Just happy talking. I wish there were more nights like that.
I thought I would post a pic or two from last night, but my computer doesn't seem to like this plan. Next time...

Yo Bitches!

Hey beee-yatch, I having a big heavy time with my homies right here rocking da house!!!! Now we plan on getting all naked and stuff and shit!