Travels

Ugh...I have not been as faithful with keeping up the blog as I anticipated, but alas, I have some reasonable excuses, like a cruise to the Bahamas. Yes, finally one appendix and four long years later, I finally made it to the Bahamas. I would like to thank Beth for organizing such a great trip to celebrate the 30th birthday of her and several others. This was my first cruise and despite some over-cast weather, it was great! I did not have any sea-sickness issues, although, I did not really anticipate any. We set sail from Miami on Friday afternoon and got the trip off to a great start with several drinks by the pool. While in port in Nassau I did some shopping, snorkeling and bar crawling. Beth set-up a mini bar crawl to a few local places that ended with her purist to the infamous bar she had stumbled upon during her last trip to Nassau. We also enjoyed wonderful, endless food and a great dinner waiter, Nelson, who kept us very entertained. All in all, for my first experience at sea, it was fun and relaxing.

Now, it is on to Cali. First for the Experimental Biology meeting in Anaheim. It was so wonderful to see ol' friends from UIUC, and of course bittersweet. Last night Mina and I had a great time catching up over a pitcher of margaritas and afterwards met-up with Vicki and company for a rousing evening of scientific banter. Yes, it was stimulating. Now the John (and shortly Desiree) have moved to Cali, I was able to see them both. His new promotion at Chase is going well, and she is excited to get out here after graduation and get ready for their baby!! Of course the conference was good, although there were not too many talks on the specifics of my new research.

FASEB did a great job at improving the career development section and I hope I attended enough seminars to now have some clue of what I want to be when I grow-up. I will say the Anaheim convention center/Hilton was not the best equipped. One example was the ridiculous line at Star-bucks every morning. I know this is not their first conference and it is not hard to figure out having a line solely for coffee along with a barista taking orders in-line would greatly improve the situation. Guess it was my luck I liked the coffee in the room.

Now it is on to UCSD to learn some new scientific techniques. I'll be here just a few days and have already gleaned much more insider information and tricks than I would have just trying to follow the directions. I am not sure how much time I will have to sight-see, as I have to prepare for a presentation on Tuesday when I return.

Sam's hot-spot

I am back from a wonderful weekend in Chicago seeing the sites, and of course, wonderful friends. The trip out was clam and boring. We did have a book-on-CD (thank you public library system). Although, Kite Runner, is not the most up-lifting story for a Friday night/Sunday afternoon drive, it is a great story that keeps you guessing. We did not finish the 12-disc unabridged version, so thanks to the advent of modern technology, it now sits on my hard-drive ready for my iPod. Also, there was a really good piece on Chicago Public Radio, an interview with Dr. David Kessler about his new book and how the American diet is addicting.

We visited the Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, and of course the Magnificent Mile. It was so great to see Amy, Faisal, Beth, Jake, Sam, Keng-I, and Brooke. I also met a few of Sam's new friends at 'her' new hot-spot, Suite Lounge. I would recommend it for anyone in the neighborhood. It was a little under-ground secret with great martini's, and out luck at a prime table topped off the night. It was great to see Sam out with the masses, mingling with the best of 'um. She has her own bar now, where they greet her by name, and know her drink.

Wine, birthday, and a make-over

There was a great, albeit a tad crowded, wine tasting at a restaurant just around the corner from my place on Friday night. The night started a bit earlier, though, with a impromptu lab happy-hour. I wasn't originally planning on beer and wine in the same night, but considering this is the first lab-related social event that has happened since my arrival, I felt the need to participate. The theme of the wine tasting was "World Cup of Wine: France vs Spain." There were about 30 wines, split pretty much half and half. As these things usually go, after about the fourth taste all the reds were tasting similar as were the whites. However, there was a bright, and spicy, star in the bunch, a French Domaine de la Cotes-du-Rhone. I would not say it was spectacular, but just its sheer distinctiveness among the bunch made me put down a few bottles for me and a few for Christian on the order. On top of that tasty treat, it is well priced and available at Arbor Farms Market, how sponsored the tasting.

After breakfast out and a few errands on Saturday, I took a trip "home" for a dinner party for my brother's 30th birthday. It just never ceases to amaze me some of the personality traits of mine that Marissa has. She was bouncing off the walls with excitement for my daddy's party; very reminiscent of "Tina-time" that used to occur in my bouncing-off-the-wall days. I also had a chance to meet up with Dan and Kelly later in the evening and catch-up a bit. It is wonderful to be able to make it home for things of this nature, but sometimes I find that even though I am home more, I don't really see people that much, as I'm usually in-and-out for whatever event has brought me to Grand Blanc.

One of my new-favorite stores in Ann Arbor, Ulta, had free-mini make-overs today, so I took the opportunity for a little, did I mention free, pampering and tips.

Now it is time to plan our trip to Chicago this coming weekend. I am ecstatic to see my friends, get out of town, and actually do some touristy stuff in Chicago.

Lady date

I have a lady date this evening for martini's with L. I have joined a young professional group that I found on-line to network meet new people in A2. I received an email from L the other day suggesting that we had similar interests and should grab a drink. Martini happy hour, grad student in molecular biology, and a tall blond; I think we'll get on just fine!

Some progress

After a few failed attempts at getting my transformed bacteria to grow and isolate the DNA plasmid I was finally successful today. The sample still needs to be sequenced, and thank goodness there is a core facility for such a thing, to determine if our gene is what we think it is before I proceed. There are still lots of steps to do before I am able to do my tail vein injections, including learning and mastering tail vein injections. I think this maybe the hardest part, because it requires a large volume in a very short amount of time - i.e. lots of practice. I have cells growing and will hopefully get to an experiment next week; that is the plan, but one never knows in the world of science.

The week has been pretty boring and I'm looking forward to a busy weekend. By Wednesday I took myself out for a drink as cabin fever was setting in. I was in the mood for a martini and found the Babs Underground was a good spot, however, I think I was there WAY too early and it was pretty dead. So I nursed my martini until it was late-night happy hour at Vinology (half off wine by the glass) and had a good glass of petite Shiraz and some Kobe beef sliders. I think I am going to try and make this as much a weekly event as possible - Vinology has lots of glasses that I need to try.

The weekend is going to thankfully be busy. Dinner and a show with Amy - Indian and 'The Producers.' Kelly is coming down tomorrow for a trip to the Homegrown Festival in Kerrytown and then back to Grand Blanc for Allison's first birthday on Sunday.

"She's not hot, she's smart"

My first full weekend in AA has been fulled with a lab BBQ, meeting new people at Ted's party, which from what I gleaned are pretty infamous, and hanging out at the park with the family. It was great to spend some time with the lab-crew on Friday at a farewell BBQ for Lynn how is heading down the road to a former post-doc's new lab. All the fun stuff with no work - this post-doc is going great!

Saturday I went out, way out of my comfort zone and went to a party where I did not know a soul. I found meetup.com, a website for networking of local groups is just about any area. There are several young professional/nightlife/explore the town type groups and I joined a few, one of which was having a party Saturday. I decided it was now or never to get myself out there and meet new people. Dressed in my new black and white strapless summer number I got from The Vineyard armed with a bottle of wine I made my way over to Ted's loft. From the get go everyone was very friendly and made an effort to introduce and talk to new people. I met several people that evening who were in the same position as I was, as well as seasoned professional Ted party goers. There were a few interesting people, but for the most part everyone was friendly. It was a great diverse crowd and the wonderful cool evening made it great for the party to spill onto the patio and even to the vacant patio next door. One of the funniest moments of the evening was the comment a new acquaintance made after asking if I was cold. After another women had responded to him, she was hot. I remarked I wasn't cold but had brought a cover-up if needed. To this he concluded, "she's not hot, she's smart." Needless to say, the people engaged in this conversation all burst out laughing as he feverishly tried to back peddle. Unfortunately after several people asked if I was OK and the wave of nausea that came over me from the migraine I'd been fighting all day, I left earlier than planned. I think it is time to find a doctor here and get these things under control.

This afternoon I met up with my brother's family at Kenisngton Metro Park for a picnic with my sister-in-law's family. It is so wonderful that I am able to attend these events. With only a month under my belt I really feel at home and that I have made the right decision. Let's hope that feeling continues when I actually start my job.

Settling in

For the most part it looks like I live here now, and I would say I am about 90-95% settled in. There are still a few pictures to hang and sorting out of things, especially boxes from the Freund lab. Most of those items will stay in the spare room closet until I get started in the Saltiel lab in August. Some moments it does not feel that weird because I am surrounded by all of my stuff and it is now just in a new and much better apartment. I have already begun to enjoy the ammenities here, including the laundry room and dishwasher. I doubt I will really use the dishwasher all that often, since I am used to washing by hand and, well don't ditry that many dishes to begin with. The laundry on the other hand; I just love it, especially since it is an actual room and not a laundry closet. All day to day when I was running errands, every time I got change I smiled because I no longer have to worry about saving quaters for laundry.

Lily has adjusted well and has yet to try and escape, but I am sure she will. The front door opens directly to the outside, so we'll see. At least there is a window so I can see if she is there. I'm not quite sure what she'd do if she got on the balcony; I would hope she wouldn't try to just off, however with her, one never knows.

I went to lab this afternoon to sign paperwork etc. and Alan asked me to come to lab meeting. It was strange sitting there thinking this is my lab now and seeing how things go. There were some jokes and small talk, but nothing quite like the Freund lab meetings. There are definetly things I will miss about the Freund lab, and not just the pizza during lunch lab meetings.

All in all, the strangest feeling so far is being back in Michigan.

Things I will have to get used to again:
1. Motorcycle helments
2. Bottle returns, got to start saving those pop cans, and now beer bottles
3. Ridiciulously bad roads...grr
4. Hearing local news etc. about Detroit, and it is even worse when what they say on the national broadcasts
5. Not being smoke-free. I have heard rumors that it is in the works, and I sure hope so
6. Eastern time zone, especially the TV schedule
7. Being much closer to my family is just such a blessing. Marissa already wanted to spend the night when they were helping to move me in

With having the next two months off to travel and relax I do not really feel the weight of having to start over again. I am hoping this time will serve as a good transistion to this new chapter and will enable me to somewhat get used to this new life without such an abrupt change. I know once I get to working again and have more of a routine I will miss the Chambana groove I have had for the last 5 years. I hope to see everyone very soon and welcome all visitors.

I have attached a video of the new place for everyone to see and pictures are up on FB.

The last 5 years...

The last 5 years have sure been a whirl wind of ups, downs, goods, and bads. I am not sure I was ever ready for it all, but I would not trade any of it and am grateful for the opportunities I have been afforded by my time here, but in and out of the lab. As I started packing a few weeks ago I began to think of everything that has happened in my life in the last 5 years.

Also, I must note, and will elaborated on soon in the near future, my last night was quite a fitting end as things came full circle while sitting out enjoying a cool summer evening at The Pig. Glenn almost got in a fight because of some obnoxious, biligerent drunk, which is what happened the first time I went to The Pig with him, however, last night there was also a French Canidian named Mary involved.


1. lost both of my grandmothers, one to cancer and one to complications of heart failure
2. become an aunt twice and am very excited to be moving closer to my nieces
3. had the addition of 4 other babies in my extended family
4. traveled to Europe for the first time and visited, The Netherlands (Amsterdam), France (Paris, Arachon, Toulouse), Italy (Rome), Spain (Barcelona), and Germany (Bamberg & Munich)
5. visited Madison WI, San Francisco CA, Breckenridge CO, Washington DC, and Balitmore MD for the first time
6. traveled to Chicago, Indy, New Orleans, Tampa, and New York
7. published 6 peer-reviewed publications
8. received a pre-doctoral fellowship from the American Heart Association
9. had an appendectomy (that prohibited my Bahamas vacation)
10. brought my first a new (used) car
11. testified in court as a victim of vandalism
12. had my first (and hopefully last) root-canal
13. got my first pet that I hope to have a very long time
14. stayed in the same apartment for all 5 years
15. went on my first bar-crawl (thanks Hartman & Klemen)
16. free-style walked (and fell) on a large planter on Green Street
17. performed brain surgery on a mouse
18. had an experiment that had to start at 3AM
19. developed a love for wine
20. had my heart broken twice by the same person
21. took an overnight train ride
22. my parents got divorced
23. never pulled an all-nighter
24. saw numerous shows, including the “Full Monty” at The Station Theater in Urbana – I highly recommend their shows
25. was propositioned by a stranger to for a ménage à trois
26. was in a homecoming parade at my alma mater
27. got a tattoo on the inside of my left ankle of a star-gazer lily
28. started a blog (which you know, because you are currently reading it)
29. had two roommates and four other friends stay for extend periods of time, including my “rent-a-husband”
30. saw the following concerts: Cake, Kanye West, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Fall Out Boy
31. attended my first Big 10 college basketball and football games
32. took up a part-time job as a waitress for about 6 months because I was kind of bored and missed it
33. ‘moon-lighted’ as a quzie-personal trainer
34. fell rollerblading for the first time ever
35. took a road trip to Las Vegas
36. went to 6 weddings (1 bride’s maid, 1 maid-of-honor)
37. cooked a live lobster
38. lost my camera in Chicago during a bachelorette party
39. ate an atomic-nuclear-rib…OMG!
40. saw the following muscials: Rent, Urine Town, West Side Story, Hair Spray, Seussical The Musical, Wicked
41. went white water rafting on the Arkansas rive in Colorado
42. hosted my first keg party
42. learned to like drinking beer, especially German wheat beer
43. chased a bus
44. subbed on the on the Crack Monkey softball team a few times
45. won the NSGSA bake-off two years in a row

Goodbyes

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos." Charles M. Schulz

The goodbyes have begun this week and it is hard, harder than I thought. Waiting around for this big change to happen and tying up all the lose ends has been a bit depressing. I feel that I am in this strange limbo in which I am here but not really needed for anything. Lots of conversations in and out of the lab making plans for next week and next month are going on around me and there's not much for me to contribute. I'm determined not to just sit around in my half-boxed-up-apartment for the next week, even though it is a challenge not to continually think about just how few days I have left to enjoy the company of my friends.

I had lunch with my good friend Meg on Friday to say farewell. Her sister, Nell, and husband live in Ann Arbor which means that not only will I see Meg and Chuck when they come to visit, but I have a few friends already in Ann Arbor.

I also said so-long to Diana last night after an enjoyable evening of dinner and theater. I will see her soon, as they are one of several friends moving to Massachusetts whom I will see in July on my East Coast tour. Additionally, as a precaution, I said adieu to Melissa. She will be gone all next week and is returning the evening of my Bon-Voyage party, so depending on travel etc., last night maybe the last time I see her until I visit again.


Tonight is Vicki's last night in town as they are packing up and heading, as well, to Massachusetts. Vicki is one of a few people (you know who you are) that it will be very difficult to say goodbye to. We started our PhDs at the same time and have become not only great colleagues but life-long friends. I will miss her laugh, warm-spirit, great advice, and spontaneity. Thankfully, her and soon-to-be-husband, Erik, are part of my East Coast tour. I am thankful that I will be able to celebrate her 30th birthday on Martha's Vineyard with her, Erik, and her family.

Reflections

Today I am a doctor, Christina Lynn Sherry, PhD, something I never imagined in my wildest dreams. Now that it is over and I have the time to look back on how many never-in-my-wildest-dreams moments that come along with this PhD journey, I am amazed.

I found a letter at my mom's house that I wrote myself circa 5th grade in Mrs. Bookout's class as part of a project. She mailed them to us when we graduated high school and as I read the things I told myself about who I am and who I think I am going to be it is all I can do not to laugh. I am still the same bull-headed, out-spoken, independent person as I was in 5th grade. I always thought I was going to be a high-school teacher and I guess in certain ways I am a teacher.

There are things I haven't done yet, but many more I never thought I would do. People in my life have changed me in ways I never thought possible and beloved family are no longer around to see the first Dr. Sherry. I have been faced with many hard decision and unexpected complications all the while having the support of amazing friends and family. I feel I have truly found a passion in my work and love the questions science poses. It is hard to put in to words the feelings of graditutde and humility I have for all of those who have supported me in this journey, because it would not have been possible without you.

Weekend wrap-up

After a fun-filled weekend of celebrating me, my liver, and my Visa are taking a hiatus (at least until this weekend).

Friday
1. Champagne tasting @ Corkscrew
2. Dinner @ Radio Maria - delicious coffee encrusted fillet and mashed sweet potatoes and plantain with a yummy cream sauce
3. Early graduation celebration @ Esquire and The Pig
4. Super nachos

Saturday
1. Lots of napping
2. Jackie's graduation party and several intense games of flip cup
3. Happy birthday Glenn and Bon Voyage Shawn festivities @ The Pig, Boltini, Revisit to The Pig, and C-Street
4. Taco bell

Sunday
1. Bunch at Jim Gould with Elizabeth
2. Lab
3. Study
4. Intern meeting
5. BED

Busy week ahead: Internship banquet, cooking club, whiskey Wednesday, Star Trek (hopefully), mom's coming, graduation, graduation P-A-R-T-Y!!

To end the week

With uber enthusiasm THANK GOODNESS ITS FRIDAY

The week ended with consummation of my dietetics internship!! To be honest, as most of you know, this has not been the most favorite part of my life over the past 8 months. I am jubilant it is over, and I am able to get back to what really is a favorite part of my life - my research.

I signed the lease for my new place this week. I officially have a new address and expect lots of visitors.

As an up-date to a previous post, we finally received the actual approval on our new protocol and I will be able to start experiments next week!

Looking forward to the weekend and:
X-Men Origins Wolverine
Birthday 'tinis
Celtics vs Bulls Game 7
Shopping for some new spring stuff

Now and then

15 years quickly melted away within the first 15 seconds after I saw her smile.

When I left that morning I still could not really believe I was going to see Fred. We had these nick-names for each other. I was George and she was Fred. Neither one of us could quite remember where they had come from, but that is all we called each other. I even dug out an old yearbook, and found that is how she signed it back then. We even had matching leather hair clips that we had had embossed with "Fred" and "George" at the fair one summer. On my drive up I-57 I almost forgot where I was going, as this is the usual first leg of my trips to MI. After I got on Lincoln Hwy heading out to Indiana I could not get the smile off my face; just the thought of seeing Kassie and her mom Roxie again, left me grinning ear to ear.

I was a little nervous when I pulled in the drive. I did not know what to expect. There was not really any doubt that there would be hugs and smiles, and a general sense of I can't believe that we were really in each others presence again. My apprehension came from what would be beyond those first few minutes and hours. What would we talk about? Would we be comfortable telling all the juicy little gems of our lives that had transpired over the past 15 years? That is a lot of living to catch up on, and how would it go?

Shortly after we exchanged "hellos" and "I can't believe its," we after headed out to Roxie's country store, Dunfee Plumtickled Junction, for lunch. After looking around a bit downstairs and meeting Roxie's husband Dave, we took the old wooden staircase upstairs. I could hear her cute, little voice before I could see her. My grin grew. As we rounded the corner and I saw her, I just couldn't believe it - she looked not even 15 minutes older! We hugged and the smell of her perfume brought back even more memories.

After lunch, Kassie and I sat at the table in Pickle's and started to embark on 15 years of catch-up that lasted until the wee hours of the morning drinking wine and sitting on her couch in our PJ's. It all came with such ease, as if we had not seen each other in only a few months. She told me about life after she moved to Texas for just under a year and then to Indiana. All her stories about rodeo life in high school and I saw the pictures of when she was Indiana high school rodeo princess. I told her about college and my car accident. My trips and travels and caught her up on how the rest of the family is doing. We both filled each other in on the boys and men we have dated, and the good, bad, and crazy that went along with all those relationships. I got the story of how her and Jeff met and married. There was and still is so much to tell each other, but I think we made good headway.

In the morning we had our signature pancakes. When we would sleep over each others house, which was probably 2-3 times a week, we would make thin, not quite done pancakes, smother them in butter, and roll them up to eat them. We had one like this for ol' time sake. As the afternoon wore on it was time to say good-bye. We went down to say good-bye to Roxie, Dave, and grandma. We made plans to see each again soon, much much sooner then 15 years. After I get moved to Ann Arbor they would like to come up so they can see the rest of the family as well.

As I was driving home in the pouring rain I just could not believe how blessed I was to have this reunion with them. Her husband and little girl Holly, were just so welcoming. Holly repeated several times, "come back to Holly's house," as I was leaving. It is the true test of sincerity and depth of one's friendship when now it feels just like it was then.

Pancakes and rodeos

It was about circa 1994 when she moved in across the street and I was enamored with her from the start. Everything about her was the complete opposite of my Mid-west, subdivision-living, 2.5 kids and a cat all American life. A cow-girl, a real life cow-girl with a horse, chaps, rodeo belt buckles, and roping skills. We had no common threads of experience to connect us but we made a fast friendship because of those differences.

It was only a few years before she moved on; that was the first time my heart was broken. My first best-friend who I could tell anything, that person who you just laugh about nothing with for what seems like ever, was gone. As it was back then, before email, we kept in contact with letter writing and phone calls for a few years but eventually lost touch.

I am going to see her this weekend after almost 15 years (gotta love Facebook)! We spoke on the phone the other day and it was like time had never passed and we were just across the street from each on Sugarloaf making our weekend plans. I still can't really believe I am going to see her. I'll let you know how the reunion goes.



She was also the reason I started listening to country music. Sometimes I think the first verse of this song was written about us.