souls

I'm glad I grew up among trees.

Now that I'm surrounded by a concrete jungle, I can only thank my lucky stars that my childhood self was very attuned to nature. It's something I carry with me up to this very day, this hunger for any patch of green or fragile pink blossom floating in the wind. Not just trees and plants, but animals too. Don't you think animals have a soulfulness in their eyes too? I'm not sure what different religions think about animals and their afterlife, but I for one can't look into a dog's eyes without feeling that it has a soul. =D I sure hope there is a doggy heaven somewhere up above!

I am currently excited about hot pot and massive mounds of steaming meat. =) And then chestnut cake after!

P.S. The more I learn about the healthcare disparities and discrepancies, the sadder I feel. The healthcare reform is really such a grave issue for many people. It's a little distressful that there are so many competing issues and groups trying to steer healthcare to their benefit, whether it's the insurance companies or the pharmaceutical giants. I must constantly remind myself that there are real people suffering behind every dry statistic and bar chart/line graph that we so carelessly glance over. This is what I like best about education, though -- becoming more aware of the world around me and becoming more passionate about issues that affect us all. I think that's the best part of learning. =)

Proteins

I never knew there was so much to know about proteins until this semester forced me to confront protein kinetics, allosterics, and structure. It's funny to think these infinitesimal molecules hold so many secrets to life. Sometimes I still can't detach myself from looking at the world with a macro-perspective. I stare down at my skin and can't even begin to imagine that proteins make up the building blocks of this complex biological machinary. I learn about all these tiny molecules and their even tinier electrons in class and in the library, spending hours mulling over the bond angles and the amino-acid sequences. And yet when it comes to breathing and walking and just being, it's hard to make the connection between that micro-world and the external things about me. Its difficult to leap across that gulf that divides what I know intellectually and what I can actually perceive and imagine.

It's only the third week of school and yet I feel washed out and tired. Sitting in class with a bajillion other MCB/IB majors all intently scribbling massive amounts of notes just leaves a tight knot in my stomach. Sometimes I think we're all just running and sprinting to keep up with each other, and for what? I'm not merely referring to class and grades, but about the fast pace in general and this uncomfortable, nagging feeling to accomplish something in a hectic, status-obsessed world. What's wrong with slowing down? But the moment someone tries to get ahead, the race begins yet again.

I'm certainly glad that the weather has improved over the last week, and rain hasn't been much of an issue. My favorite pink and white blossoms have already come out, whispering sweet hints of spring.