A recap of what I read this year

I must say this year has been a good year in terms of the amount of reading I got done. 

First, an update on this year's Reading Challenges

 

Updates on the Color coded challenge

1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title 
Blue plate special by Kate Christensen

2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc) in the title

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.) in the title
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
 

4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title.
White jade by Alex Lukeman

5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc) in the title
The Poisoned Chocolates Case By Anthony Berkeley

6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title

The Black Cat by Martha Grimes

7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc) in the title.
The Ivory Trail by Talbot Mundy

8. A book with any other color in the title (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magneta, etc.)

Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.)
The boy in striped pajamas 

For the Vintage mystery challenge,

Mystery of 31 New Inn by Austin Freeman (Category: Murder by the Numbers)
Orange and Yellow Diamond by J.S.Fletcher  (Category: Colorful Crime)
Dyke Darrel, the railroad detective by Frank Pinkerton (Category: Planes, Trains & Automobiles) 
Daffodil mystery by Edgar Wallace 

Other books this year
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
The Baker's Daughter
The Hobbit
The Shiva Trilogy
The Dinner
How should a person be
Beautiful Ruins
The Orphan master's son
The litigator
What the dead know
The Bankster

I had a goal of reading 24 books this year, I did slightly better than that! 

Next year, hope to read many more and probably attend a few book club meeting as well

Cheers
 

A story and a eulogy

Warning: A deeply personal story and I am trying desperately to fight back the damn mist in my eyes

My grandma, my hero, my pretty woman (seriously no kidding, she was the prettiest in my family)- decided that her children and grandchildren can take care of themselves and stopped breathing just a few days before Diwali this year. About a month ago, this time I was mid air on my way to India- almost sure gran would not make it but hoping, nevertheless, that she would.

She was at my cousin's engagement ceremony, smiling as always. No one knew what was coming...

Born in 1927 to parents who were a part of the Indian independence struggle, my grandma had an interesting childhood. My sister and I were so enamored by her life- we would sit by her and listen to her tell us stories. She always told us stories of her childhood with such fondness. It was never boring, never!

Coming from an erudite family, she was filled with dreams and aspirations. She always wanted to do more, study more, sing more, cook more, whatever she laid eyes on she gave it her best. She used to tell us (my sister and me) of the time when she would write songs on the walls of their home. She never stopped writing because writing songs made her life better,she was pretty good at it and she did it until the end of her time (in case any one who sings carnatic songs is interested, let me know- we are trying to get some of her songs recorded to honor her memory).

But at a young age of 16, everything she ever dreamed of doing and becoming was quashed when she married a guy who did not care to provide for the family, was constantly suspicious of whatever she did and hit her for his own shortcomings.

When her 4th child was just 13 days old, she was out on the streets. Thankfully, her parents and brothers were all kind enough to take 4 little children and my grandma under their wings. Sure no one thought the 4 children were going to make it, no one thought my grandma would make it- but they all did. And here I am writing about it, writing to say how honored I am to be a part of this family- the family that makes it despite the odds.

For women in an abusive relation, the women who think they cannot make it -if my grandma and her children can make it in the 1960s India, you sure can. Believe in humanity and the kindness of strangers. My grandma always did. She used to tell us her life stories which always ended in strangers showing up when she needed the most help or even just a few comforting words. She truly believed that such strangers were God sent.

There will be things that you would never forget and there will, most definitely be regrets. Her only life-long contrition was that she had not done enough for her children- no one who knows her or her children would ever say that though.

Her two favorite குறள் (Thirukkural, a two line short poetic verse penned by the greatest Tamil scholar and philosopher Valluvar) with crude English translations

அன்பிலார் எல்லாம் தமக்குறியர், அன்புடையார் என்பும்  உரியர் பிறர்க்கு  

Those who are not loving (or loveless) have only themselves, but those who spread the love, even their bones belong to everyone

தீயினால் சுட்ட புண் உள்ளாறும் , ஆறாதே நாவினால் சுட்ட வடு

Burn injuries will heal, but hurt caused by your tongue (your words) will not heal

All those times when we were happy together, cried together, when we fought for no particular reason and laughed for no particular reason- all those times will be missed.

You taught me to be kind and honest, to always tell the truth, to never stop learning, to respect nature and to always follow my heart.

Love you forever...

Phew- 3 more to go...

Reading Challenges- an update

 

Updates on the Color coded challenge

1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title- Blue plate special by Kate Christensen

2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc) in the title-

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.) in the title

4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title.

5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc) in the title- 
The Poisoned Chocolates Case By Anthony Berkeley

6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title-  

The Black Cat by Martha Grimes

7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc) in the title.
The Ivory Trail by Talbot Mundy

8. A book with any other color in the title (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magneta, etc.)-

Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.)

BLUE PLATE SPECIAL

This past weekend, traveling from Houston to Kansas city- I managed to read Blue plate Special, a memoir by Kate Christensen. I have not read any of her other books. In this book she is quite candid about her own life- from her childhood through to her 50s.

At times it felt wrong reading about someone's intimate private life especially one which involves a lot of troubled periods but then I thought to myself "she wants us to read about it- otherwise why would she write a memoir". Despite all her/their tribulations, she managed to do well for herself and so did the rest of her family.

Food is not the subject but it very well could have been- she intricately weaves it in with her own life story.

The name "Blue Plate Special" comes from when her mom who called her meals blue plate specials. There are some interesting recipes in there as well. I could not get to try them- it is quite a popular book and it was on hold for some one else :)

@ 333031

Picture this- 16 years old- young, naive, quiet, adorned in baggy clothes and a pair of shell frame glasses- that was me...

Anyway I did not realize that my room in Meera Bhawan was going to be my own little corner in this wide world when I got the BITS, Pilani application form from a friend who did not want it anymore (shall we say my mom and I were at the right place at the right time).

The day my mom dropped me off- I was literally in tears- no don't go ma, I said to her. She smiled and the smile meant "you are going to be just fine dear". I will not deny it but I was homesick for a good part of the 1st year- it was difficult what with all those hormones, new surroundings, new faces from all over the country. I will take the song "Mahan Gandhiye mahan" to my grave (this was how I was ragged- you have to sing "mahan gandhiye mahan" and dance to it as well, freshie)

Here is  a link for anyone who cares.

But it all soon began to change and I began to love every moment of it so much so that those long summers at home were quite boring and I wanted to get back to Pilani as soon as I possibly could. I especially could not wait to get in the train with my friends and sing "Mustafa, mustafa" as we would near Delhi station. The bus/ sumo rides from Delhi was also immensely fun despite a large number of eyes staring straight at a bunch of crazy teenage girls.

Macchi, sing  mustafa mustafa once for me will you? :)

We ate together, laughed together. cried together, danced together (especially after fun movie nights- remember this one time when 24 of us went to watch "Yes Boss") slept together, gossiped together, passed judgement on some, fought with a few (especially when we had to chose our wings/ hostel blocks as seniors). Friendships were made and sealed for life. Crushes, well some of them, went on to become something while others remained just what they were, a crush.

I was the thatha who rode a paal karan cycle (a.k.a I was the grandfather who rode a tall milkman bicycle).

Date nights at C'not, deliberately avoiding Shiv-G (wondering about the poor couple who chose to hang out at Shiv-G in the dark), quite evenings at the Mandir.

I liked mess food (there I said it!)- most of it anyway but there was also Annapurna's onion masala dosa and Blue Moon milk shakes. I liked chatting up those mess bhaiyas and pappuji at sky (all those "pappu account mein dal thena"/ pappu, charge it to my account).

I am not the social type but BITS brought out some of the social in me...thanks to my roommates (1st year in an expansive room with Priya and 2nd year with Goms who would set her alarms in totally random places) and other lovely friends.

A few of them helped me through my toughest times (and I hope they know that I am there for them)

Is that enough psenti for you guys- now go on...go do something useful!

Take care.

(Image source: careers 360)

Why not ban smoking at Miller Theater?

 

Imagine a hot summer evening with air that is already heavy and humid- cigarette smoke on top of that, even the most insensitive of us cannot handle it.

Take for example the first weekend of Houston Symphony concert when there are literally thousands of people in the theater- among whom is also the sensitive population that includes children, the elderly and patients perhaps (given that the theater is in the med center). On such days I wonder- why not ban smoking at all of Miller Theater (right now smoking is banned only in the seating area and not on the hill or around it)? I have seen parents smoke around their children and if they want to put their child in harm's way by smoking in the privacy of their homes-well then it is their problem. But when it comes to city property I think it is a whole different story and it is the government's responsibility that vulnerable people are protected.
 
It has been long established beyond doubt that smoking is harmful for the person who smokes and for the people who inhale the smoke.You can argue all you want. You can invoke priavcy, my body- my right (women folk- this is not for you, your body is not your right apparently- well that is a story for another day), or whatever else you can think of- but the evidence against smoking is pretty STRONG and it is about the collective good of the community.

 I must add though- I find it quite interesting that there is quite a large number of health care workers who smoke in the Houston med center area (I could not find any statistics on this).

Read more about the harmful effects of smoking here
Read more about environmental tobacco smoke here

The postdoc paradox

Where do I see myself in 5 years...

In my view, those who can answer this question, even with a broader intent, are the ones who succeed.

This is a question that has been playing over and over in my head for a few days, now that my love of research is dwindling to the point that there are times when I downright unhappy. This metamorphosis was a long time coming and it does pain me- because all said and done I am a bloody good scientist!

So why did you do a PhD then, you ask? Well, back in those days a) I could not be pulled away from the bench (no sir not for any reason); b) I would obsess about it; c) I would talk incessantly about it and d) most of all I was extremely passionate about it (Note the choice of past tense).

Those who have known me for a while now would nod in disbelief if I tell them that I am thinking about quitting research. Better believe it guys!

To me the biggest problem is that I would probably either be one among many scientists who are just a-okay or I would be a complete failure (which is where I am headed right now- given that nothing has been working the last few years). While the fear of failure does not stop me from doing what I like doing best, fear of being one among many does (arrogant you say- what is wrong with a bit of professional arrogance, I ask?). So it is mostly a personal decision.

Interestingly, I am seeing this disconnect between real-life and the imaginary job market situation (all of us postdocs finding a cushy tenure-track position). Most of us have been drilled into our heads that there is no job better than academia on planet earth (I might agree to this to a certain degree). In reality, even if you pass a certain threshold and enter the top echelons of postdocs (wildly successful ones-the stars), there is still no guarantee that you will find that dream job (at that level how are the search committee members going to decide anyway- think about it).

I was taken by surprise when it dawned on me that most of my fellow postdocs do not have a plan B. But what happens when you do not get into academia- what choices does one you have? Some people just moan and moan, while few others find an industry position. But this is where everything goes haywire- everyone including the postdocs, the Universities, the PIs throw their hands up in the air as though the world is nearing its end.



Graph generated by Paula Stephan of Georgia State University
Source: Atlantic

A 2009 NSF survey found that only 14% of lifescience PhD land the most-coveted, oh-so-glamorous tenure track positions. The plan B pharma jobs are also on the decline (I mean who is to blame given the global economy madness). It is time PIs and institutions started to give this a great deal of thought to come up with ways to help the postdocs out (after all you are our mentors).

If you are a great researcher who is still passionate about research after 4 yrs of undergrad, 6 yrs of grad school and 5-10 yrs of postdoc - by all means academia is for you. But if you being to have slightest of doubts- I say prepare for the eventuality and be smart about the decisions you make (towards end of grad school) that will land you yet another great job ( I was anything but smart about it).


Other references
Washington Post 
Bruce Alberts article

Reading Challenges- an update

 

Updates on the Color coded challenge

1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title
2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc) in the title-

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.) in the title

4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title.

5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc) in the title- 
The Poisoned Chocolates Case By Anthony Berkeley

6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title-  

The Black Cat by Martha Grimes

7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc) in the title.
The Ivory Trail by Talbot Mundy

8. A book with any other color in the title (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magneta, etc.)-

Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.)



A vintage mystery mini-challenge: must read 4 vintage books in one of the categories mentioned by Dec 31st (doable you think, I say you think?!!)

Updates on the Vintage Mystery mini challenge- I AM DONE; not quite there! As of June 12th, 2013- I am done with this challenge... yippee!
Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (Category: Wicked women) this is neither a mystery nor have I finished it :)
Mystery of 31 New Inn by Austin Freeman (Category: Murder by the Numbers)
Orange and Yellow Diamond by J.S.Fletcher  (Category: Colorful Crime)
Dyke Darrel, the railroad detective by Frank Pinkerton (Category: Planes, Trains & Automobiles) 
Daffodil mystery by Edgar Wallace

If you have suggestions for me- please do let me know. And in case you are interested, hop on over to Bev's to sign up for the challenge.

Elusive

I toss and turn. I turn the fan on and 5 minutes later I turn it off. I quickly notice a stream of tears. I close my eyes.

I see her limpless, lifeless body on a puddle of blood. I am crying and screaming, while people stand around me and watch on.

I delve deeper and strain harder  to understand the events that transpired. The explanation remains elusive, it has been for the last, soon to be 13 years.

I am in and out of consciousness on a hospital bed. Everyone I dearly love in a state of shock, frantically looking for answers.

I remained numb, that day in the hospital and the day I was told that she was gone, she did not make it. The cheerful one, the kind one, the fighter who made through several other death traps decided to quit, decided to give up.

She would have been 30 today- Happy Birthday ma petite soeur douce.

A trip to Caddo lake

With our friends visiting from Boston, we decided it was time to take a trip to the Caddo Lake state park (about 4 hr drive from Houston).

The best way to get around the park is probably by a boat and so we did- well we tried. When everyone else was scurrying towards the marina, our boat driver said "oh the storm is coming from this direction, lets go the other way" and so did with a three year old in tow! 

You see those thick dark clouds, they made it our way rather quickly. Heavy downpour, lightning strikes, thunder, a frightened 3 yr old and an even more scared mum and dad- those 5 minutes of boat ride were....well..." IT WAS A RAINING BOAT" she said!

The amazing thing though, to me, was how quickly the little one recovered from this little adventure boat ride and as soon as the sun was out she said "could we go on the boat" :)

Look at those bald cypress trees with spanish moss growing on them- kind of eerie...

Few more books

For the color coded challenge- finished Mundy's Ivory trail


My impressions: For about 50-75 pages into the book, I was unsure as to
whether I would ever finish this book "white" ivory hunters. With such flowery words and description of the wide variety of geographical locations (mostly deep into the African continent) and the people of different lands, it was really hard to follow. And then, it happened, I could not put the book down- it had a certain pace to it and reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean. Mundy takes us on this adventure and does it so eloquently. I was thoroughly impressed.
Do keep in mind that this book was published in 1919.


I also read- Immortals of Meluha (the first book of the Shiva trilogy)
It is a fast paced book and I did finish it but seemed to lack originality and I did not like it that much. There were hints of few other books I have read, some Bollywood movies I have seen. The book is about the ascent of Shiva from being a simple Tibetan tribal chief to Neelkanth (the one with blue throat), saviour of Meluha.
It is one of those books that is just alright.

On to a good start...

I am chugging my way through this year's reading challenges hosted by Bev of My Reader's Block- and it helps that I am on vacation! Most of the books I picked have been really great reads.

**Stay tuned for reviews of all these books!**

Vintage mystery challenge

Mystery at 31 New Inn by Austin Freeman; Published 1912 (Category number)
Currently reading Read: Dyke Darrel The Railroad Detective by Frank Pinkerton; Published 1886 (Category Scene of crime)
Currently reading:Woman in White by Wilkie Collins; written 1859  (Category color)

 



Color Coded challenge

The Black cat by Martha Grimes
Red badge of courage by Stephen Crane
Domestic Violets (P.S.) by Norman Matthew
Currently reading:The Ivory Trail by Talbot Mundy

Reading challenges this year

This is the first time I am taking on something like this, and I am super excited about it. I am doing two reading challenges this year- quite scary especially me and commitments do not go hand in hand you see. 

These challenges are hosted by Bev of My Reader's Block- she really does put me to shame!

A vintage mystery mini-challenge: must read 4 vintage books in one of the categories mentioned by Dec 31st (doable you think, I say you think?!!)

Below is my plan for the mystery mini challenge

Woman in White (Category: Wicked women or Color in title)
Mystery of 31 New Inn (Category: Murder by the Numbers)
Green mantle (Color in the title)


And the other more daunting one hosted by Bev again- Color coded challenge and here is my plan for that

1. A book with "Blue" or any shade of Blue (Turquoise, Aquamarine, Navy, etc) in the title- Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen

2. A book with "Red" or any shade of Red (Scarlet, Crimson, Burgandy, etc) in the title-  

Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

3. A book with "Yellow" or any shade of Yellow (Gold, Lemon, Maize, etc.) in the title-  
The Golden Notebook by Dorris Lessing

4. A book with "Green" or any shade of Green (Emerald, Lime, Jade, etc) in the title.

5. A book with "Brown" or any shade of Brown (Tan, Chocolate, Beige, etc) in the title- 
The Poisoned Chocolates Case By Anthony Berkeley

6. A book with "Black" or any shade of Black (Jet, Ebony, Charcoal, etc) in the title- The black cat by Martha Grimes

7. A book with "White" or any shade of White (Ivory, Eggshell, Cream, etc) in the title.

8. A book with any other color in the title (Purple, Orange, Silver, Pink, Magneta, etc.)-Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

9. A book with a word that implies color (Rainbow, Polka-dot, Plaid, Paisley, Stripe, etc.)

I will update this post as I finish reading and come up with titles in the other categories! If you have suggestions for me- please do let me know. 

And in case you are interested, hop on over to Bev's to sign up for the challenge.

Mmhmm it is 2013....so what?

As a child and even as a teenager, I used to give in to the New year's eve festivities- we would not do much but mostly cut a cake, watch some TV is all but that felt like a world to me. But over the last few years- the festivities have lost all their allure. To me it is yet another day. I wake up today 01/01/2012 and nothing has changed- we still do not know if we were thrown off the fiscal cliff, the dairy cliff (and whatever "cliffs" CNN and the 24 hr news media could conjure up-I still hate them), my experiments still have not gone anywhere and Houston is still in drought!
    On a a day when millions are celebrating the past (hopefully) and welcoming the future/present, I cannot help but think about the people who call streets their abode, people who have been displaced from their homes and lands, people who starve each day, people who are grieving for their loved ones (this year- in Syria, Phillipines, Connecticut, Colorado, Delhi and many more countries). I wonder how do they welcome a new year, a brand new year.
    A part of me wants to believe that there is hope in all this (but haven't we been singing the hope song for a long time now) and that is why millions brave the frigid temperatures and swarms of crowds to be a part of "ringing in" celebrations world wide. But if it is HOPE then it should last all through the year and it should make us better people (may be I am missing something and hopefully I can figure it out before we ring in 2014!)
     Until then,
Stay safe
Be happy
Reduce, Reuse and recycle (do your part to protect the place you live in)
spread the love y'all, and remember
Do not do to others what you do not want others to do unto you..

Note to self- be more charitable this year since you do not need any more clothes, accessories, utensils, kitchen gadgets, art supplies....

HAPPY 2013!