“What I love most about rivers is

You can’t step in the same river twice

The water’s always changing, always flowing”

Alan Menken, Just Around the Riverbend lyrics from Pocahontas

One thing I’ve learned is that you can always expect things to change. Life is ever changing, ever flowing. And so is this page! It is for the little things. For the important things. For whatever is just happening now. This is the balance to the work-side of my website. I hope you can learn more about me here!

Sept 2021: Summer Appreciation post

When you love your new job, miss your old one, and have a summer to do whatever you want, what do you do? Sign up for productive summer! But it began with a much needed break. Shortly after spring semester, we flew to Seattle to be involved in the most colorful wedding of a dear high school friend. Then it was down to Napa for a few days (thanks to Kevin, including a blend-your-own tasting! For wine-enthusiast scientists, this was a major win!). After that, we R&Red in a beach-front condo in Carmel, where we had best friends and family come visit. Then it was back to work at Stanford University to gather more data for a manuscript in process. During the few weeks that I was there, impeccable timing allowed me to watch my friend and colleague from the lab defend her thesis. And I also got to take my first flying lesson! (I may have a new hobby as a result!) In the background of this time, I recorded prelectures for my summer biochemistry class at Georgetown. And upon my return to DC, I taught my first class online, flying solo; and it went really well thanks to my awesome and engaged students and the loads of prep before hand. Summer 2021, you were sure something, thanks for the memories!

Sept 2020: I just had my first week teaching at Georgetown! And had a few reactions: 1) these students are amazing! Many attended my office hours (which were literally the first thing I did on the first day of class) having not had any content to ask about. They just wanted to say hi 😱 and show their enthusiasm for the coming semester! 2) zoom fatigue is real. I’m going to spend about 30 hours/week on zoom, and it takes a toll. I don’t think we were made to sit all day. So I’m going to be breaking it up with some home workouts to reset my mind and body. For some inspiration, I got myself some pretty dumbbell weights!

July 2020: We had our last weekend in California and chose to have one last wine weekend in Russian River Valley. Kevin and I are wine enthusiasts and our idea of a spa-day is experiencing a tasting at a winery, learning about the history of the vines, the family who runs the place, the nose of stone fruit and forest floor. I sound so snobby! But really, it’s just about training your palate. It’s a learning opportunity, and one that’s very easy to get on board with. As we languish with our wine and the view, the stresses of the cross-country move dissipate, and we can just be.

The other guy in my life is fluffy and has four legs. He’s a California Corgi named Banks (@thecorgibanks on Instagram) and has no idea as to what is about to happen! I’m looking forward to the next time I can watch him frolic on a beach.

What’s for dinner?
Salmon fillet with sweet corn, a watermelon salad, over forbidden rice! (Mental note: learn how to make this! It’s phenomenal!)