我来西班牙马上就要满三星期了。因为我碰见了很多好人，因为我住在和工作的环境很舒心， 现在的我已经完全适应在这里的生活 我自己都不敢相信在过三个星期我就要回美国去面试。当时去西班牙的时候，我以为我要去一个很遥远的地方去很久很久，结果根本就不是这样子。我觉得来西班牙以后，我发现这个世界其实没有我想象的大。我很希望在我回美国之前开始做我的课题，不过这就要看这个课题需要的老鼠会不会按时的被运过来。
前几天当我和实验室的同事一起吃饭的时候（现在我用刀叉的方式已经跟他们一样了），他们其中一位说他以后可以定居在欧洲的任何国家，但绝对不会在美国。“我不能忍受美国的生活方式”。当时我就开始想，欧洲和美国生活方式那里不一样了？我在这里的同事工作时间也很久（早上9点到晚上6-7点）。到目前为止我发现在这里人们吃饭的时间不一样，让后大家每天都很开心，无忧无路的。我记得当我在麻省理工的时候，看见的大部分研究生（也有本科生啦）都是神色紧张，行走匆匆，独来独往，好像时间很少的感觉。但在这里，大家做事情都是不慌不忙的。然后从观察我的房东的家庭，我觉得在西班牙，家庭成员之间来往跟多。比如说我的房东的一岁半的小孙子几乎每天晚上都会过来（他已经认识我了，见我就说TAO, TAO。。。）另外有一点让我不解的是在西班牙酒真是想当便宜，跟牛奶的价格差不多。2-3欧元是一般的，如果优惠的还有少与一欧元的。可是为什么在新闻里听不到关于喝酒过多的警告。噢，我都忘提了，在我们吃饭的食堂，有一个售卖啤酒的机器，一瓶啤酒半个欧元。这个是我头一次看就自动啤酒售卖机。这是世间之大，无奇不有。
今天我从实验室回来的时候，经过一个咖啡店，买了一杯牛奶咖啡，一边喝一边读店里提供的报纸。这种感觉真是非常非常的好 ：）
Sunday, September 28, 2008
update on lab
Three days ago, I was finally able to see the results of one of my surgeries. It was a huge relieve to finally know that surgery worked. The goal of the surgery is to inject a thin needle into a small part of the brain called the striatum (the greater goal is to create a mouse model of Parkinson's disease by injecting a toxin that causes the the death of a specific type of neurons). The only way to check whether or not the injection occurred at the right place is to extract the brain, fix it, and cut it into thin slices. For the past few days, I have been performing the two steps—surgery and brain extraction—over and over again. There were accidents, mistakes, catastrophes (I lost (or accidentally killed :( ) two mice after I switched to a new anesthetics and broke a really expensive syringe that holds minute volume of solution). Watching a mouse's heart rate gradually slowing down and eventually stops was one of the most horrific lab experiences that I have ever had and breaking the syringe definitely caused me a lot of anxiety. But it was truly fortunate in everyone in the lab was supportive and understanding. When I ran back to the lab with the broken syringe, one of the graduate students told me that it had happened before, normal for people who have used it before (I know have a new, working syringe).
Another lesson I learned from this is the importance of details. When I watched the surgery, I thought I took enough notes that I could repeat it without any problem. But there were so many little things ranging from variability in the mouse's brain to the ways to prevent clogging in the syringes that added unexpected complexities and difficulties to the surgery. I can now better appreciate the saying that practice makes perfect.
Sorry, enough about the surgery, I have to mention another aspect—this aspect will have even greater influence on me than learning the knowledge and skills—that is the people I met in lab. They are truly the most wonderful labmates one can ever hope to have. While they never hesitate to point out my mistakes, they also voluntarily share with me the tricks they use to carry out different procedures. During lunch time, we could talk about anything, ranging from our families to to our likes and dislikes.
For this coming week, my goal is to perform a surgery in a much shorter time.
Another lesson I learned from this is the importance of details. When I watched the surgery, I thought I took enough notes that I could repeat it without any problem. But there were so many little things ranging from variability in the mouse's brain to the ways to prevent clogging in the syringes that added unexpected complexities and difficulties to the surgery. I can now better appreciate the saying that practice makes perfect.
Sorry, enough about the surgery, I have to mention another aspect—this aspect will have even greater influence on me than learning the knowledge and skills—that is the people I met in lab. They are truly the most wonderful labmates one can ever hope to have. While they never hesitate to point out my mistakes, they also voluntarily share with me the tricks they use to carry out different procedures. During lunch time, we could talk about anything, ranging from our families to to our likes and dislikes.
For this coming week, my goal is to perform a surgery in a much shorter time.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
令人沮丧的一个早晨
现在的我每天都是早上做饭，因为下午回来时已经是又累又晚，让后我也担心我的房东需要用厨房，所以我就在早上把早饭和晚饭都准备好。前几天还很容易，我有煮面条，煮鸡蛋，还有用微波炉热馒头等等。让我沮丧的是今天早上我5：50起床，让后开始做早饭。我这个周末买了一条鱼，然后今天早上把它放在水里煮。可是不知道为什么，我煮了半个小时以后，那条鱼还是很硬，结果我等的不耐烦了，就把那条鱼给扔了（不过西班牙的鱼很便宜，那只鱼只花了我两欧元左右）。不过我还是很沮丧。我觉得我最近都不会吃鱼了。。。。。。不过我今天早上没有吃鱼可能是一件好事，因为我上午给老鼠做手术。如果有吃鱼，我可能会很不舒服。（深深的叹了口气），现在因为老鼠的缘故，我在食堂了看见肉就觉得反胃。啊。。算了算了，不想了，不想了。。。
Sunday, September 21, 2008
一个又开心又难过的周末
这是我在西班牙的第二个周末，发生了很多令人难忘的事情。
开心的事：
昨天晚上LEDIA的妹妹带我到几个中国店去了。 那些店离我现在住的地方很远，不过坐地铁好事很快。老实说我不是很习惯大部分西班牙的食物。他面的面包太硬了。。。所以我以后可能每一个月去那里一次。 这次我买了豆腐，馒头，包子，大白菜，豆奶和粉丝。那天晚上，我替LEDIA的妹妹做了晚餐，然后我每聊了很久。我非常非常的喜欢她。她现在正在学习成为一名护士。虽然她很忙，但是她还是抽空来看望我和问我有没有需要的东西（昨天我是非常需要中国的东西。。。她真是雪中送碳）。她也邀请我去她和她妈妈家吃晚饭。当我有时间的时候，我一定要去。她也告诉我现在我住的地方是马德里比较富裕的地方。这解释我的困惑，因为我发现周围都是房子和汽车，还有穿着很正规的百人。在中国店的附近，我看到了很多被的种族的人，包括东方人。我觉得自己很幸遇，因为我的住的地方周围真是非常非常的漂亮--宽敞的砖头路，各种颜色的花，风格各异的房子。我的房东为人非常非常的好（LEDIA的妹妹对我的房租很吃惊，因为在这个地方350欧元的房租算是相当的便宜）。 我的感觉是应为我的房东的孩子们都长大了，然后他们可能觉房子太空了，所以愿意把几件房间来出租。然后最重要的是我住的地方离研究所很近，这替我减少了很多麻烦。因为马德里的地铁虽然很方便，但我对它还是觉得有些紧张。不过我也觉得很遗憾，因为我现在环境让我无法和各种各类的人打交道。
难过的事
今天因为我用了太多的麻醉药，我的一只老鼠去世了。我并不怕给老鼠做手术，可是我现在还是无法掌握怎么调整麻醉的剂量，这样老鼠又不疼但又不会因为麻醉剂量太高儿死亡。道目前为止我已经替5只老鼠做了手术，每只都花了我2-3各小时。我的目标是半个小时。因为我的课题是需要给大概45只老鼠做手术。
开心的事：
昨天晚上LEDIA的妹妹带我到几个中国店去了。 那些店离我现在住的地方很远，不过坐地铁好事很快。老实说我不是很习惯大部分西班牙的食物。他面的面包太硬了。。。所以我以后可能每一个月去那里一次。 这次我买了豆腐，馒头，包子，大白菜，豆奶和粉丝。那天晚上，我替LEDIA的妹妹做了晚餐，然后我每聊了很久。我非常非常的喜欢她。她现在正在学习成为一名护士。虽然她很忙，但是她还是抽空来看望我和问我有没有需要的东西（昨天我是非常需要中国的东西。。。她真是雪中送碳）。她也邀请我去她和她妈妈家吃晚饭。当我有时间的时候，我一定要去。她也告诉我现在我住的地方是马德里比较富裕的地方。这解释我的困惑，因为我发现周围都是房子和汽车，还有穿着很正规的百人。在中国店的附近，我看到了很多被的种族的人，包括东方人。我觉得自己很幸遇，因为我的住的地方周围真是非常非常的漂亮--宽敞的砖头路，各种颜色的花，风格各异的房子。我的房东为人非常非常的好（LEDIA的妹妹对我的房租很吃惊，因为在这个地方350欧元的房租算是相当的便宜）。 我的感觉是应为我的房东的孩子们都长大了，然后他们可能觉房子太空了，所以愿意把几件房间来出租。然后最重要的是我住的地方离研究所很近，这替我减少了很多麻烦。因为马德里的地铁虽然很方便，但我对它还是觉得有些紧张。不过我也觉得很遗憾，因为我现在环境让我无法和各种各类的人打交道。
难过的事
今天因为我用了太多的麻醉药，我的一只老鼠去世了。我并不怕给老鼠做手术，可是我现在还是无法掌握怎么调整麻醉的剂量，这样老鼠又不疼但又不会因为麻醉剂量太高儿死亡。道目前为止我已经替5只老鼠做了手术，每只都花了我2-3各小时。我的目标是半个小时。因为我的课题是需要给大概45只老鼠做手术。
Friday, September 19, 2008
First week in lab
Hi everyone, sorry for the belated post. The past five days were busy and yet wonderful. Below are several aspects of my week
Lab (yay!:)
The lab I work now is both similar and different from the lab I worked at MIT. Same because the techniques, the science, the goal are the same, different in the hours, the people and the culture. My day usually begins at 7, where I would cook breakfast and then go to work around 7:45. At work, I spent time reading papers and learning the techniques I need to carry out my first project. This weekend, I will have a chance to practice the techniques I learned (because during the weekdays, the equipments are usually occupied).
Definitely the thing I liked the most is the people. Even though I spoke Spanish at a much slower speed, they were patient in listening to me and always asked me if I needed anything. Especially on Wednesday when I was learning the surgery, the person who taught me was unbelievably forgiving of all the mistakes I made. I also greatly enjoyed going to lunch with them everyday. In America, I usually hold my fork with my right hand. But after a week of watching people around me always holding the fork in their left hand, I found my usage of utensils becoming more and more European.
In some ways, I found Spain and China to be very similar in its current history. Both countries were involved in World War 2, both countries lived under stringent political situations until the 1970's, and both countries have witnessed their economic growths and increase in international influence in the past three decades. However, Spain's progress does not seem to be nearly as publicized as that of China. When I told people that I am going to go to Spain, people are fascinated by it because Spain is a popular place for tourists with its museums, sports and food, but they are surprised that I would be doing research there because of the perception that there is very little science going on. Indeed, I wondered about it. Because in my neuroscience class, we learned about the discoveries made by the Spanish neuroanatomist Santidago Ramon y Cajal during our first lessons, yet, Dr. Ramon y Cajal made his discoveries in the early 1900. What must have happened is that with the civil war, World War II and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco starting in 1930s, the science in Spain came under a halt (I feel like the Franco period is extremely similar to the cultural revolution in China...that most people who went through the period are reluctant to talk about it). But when I arrived at the Cajal Institute on Monday, I was extremely impressed by its building, by the people, the resources and equipments. But this institute built only 7 years ago, when the Spanish government began to devote massive funding to attract more scientists, especially Spanish scientist who went to do research abroad. With the equipments being the same, I had no trouble of getting adjusted to performing the actual tasks required for project. But what is a little difficult is lab is set up in everything (5-7 people) work in the same medium-sized room where most of the equipments are, one can often hear conversations, making concentration more difficult. I really really enjoy the friendly environment this creates, but at times when I really need to focus on absorbing an idea, the sound can become disruptive (another possibility is that my ability to focus was weakened by the need to converse in another language).
The most fascinating yet difficult skill I learned this week is surgery (I won't go into the details here...). But moments when I saw definitely shaken by I saw the brain and the beating heart of a mouse. It is not the first time I saw these two things, but it is the first time that I was the one holding the scissor and scalpel.
Another random observation...in U.S., working with lab animals requires a stringent process of getting trained, applying to perform specific procedures on animals and wearing all the necessarily gears. In Spain, because it has become revive its research activity, many rules are still in the process of being developed and finalized, there is definitely some "gray" area. For instance, I am required to obtain a license to work with animals. To obtain that license, I needed document showing that I have been trained to work with animals, but the rule does not specify what kind of document I need. (update: but I was able to get the license. )
Place to stay (yay!:)
My new place landlords are amazing people!:) Especially Kirsten, one time I had to leave in a hurry, so I left my cookware in the sink, and she washed it for me later. Talk about cooking...I feel both fortunate and unfortunate. Kirsten had every kind of cooking utensil one can ever imagine...basically a full-scale kitchen...but my cooking skill is not developed enough to take advantage of this...sigh....
News ( :( )
Today when I finally had the time and energy to read the news, I was extremely saddened by both the English and Chinese news I read. It is hard for me to imagine that during the past five days, U.S.'s banking system had been in crisis, and parents in China are lining up in the hospitals to have their newborns examined. Because I am in Spain, I did not hear these tragedy talked about (or perhaps it was discussed just that I did not pick it up :( ). But returning to the topic on the similarities between China and Spain. So far, the price of the items in Spain are same and even more expensive than that of U.S. (with the exception of wine and chocolate). Yet, I see the supermarket full of people. China, on the other hand, despite the economic growth, its price of most items is significantly lower than that of U.S. I had been wondering why China received much more notice for its economical growth, and the most explanation I could come up with is the absolute size of China and its close economical ties with U.S.
Lab (yay!:)
The lab I work now is both similar and different from the lab I worked at MIT. Same because the techniques, the science, the goal are the same, different in the hours, the people and the culture. My day usually begins at 7, where I would cook breakfast and then go to work around 7:45. At work, I spent time reading papers and learning the techniques I need to carry out my first project. This weekend, I will have a chance to practice the techniques I learned (because during the weekdays, the equipments are usually occupied).
Definitely the thing I liked the most is the people. Even though I spoke Spanish at a much slower speed, they were patient in listening to me and always asked me if I needed anything. Especially on Wednesday when I was learning the surgery, the person who taught me was unbelievably forgiving of all the mistakes I made. I also greatly enjoyed going to lunch with them everyday. In America, I usually hold my fork with my right hand. But after a week of watching people around me always holding the fork in their left hand, I found my usage of utensils becoming more and more European.
In some ways, I found Spain and China to be very similar in its current history. Both countries were involved in World War 2, both countries lived under stringent political situations until the 1970's, and both countries have witnessed their economic growths and increase in international influence in the past three decades. However, Spain's progress does not seem to be nearly as publicized as that of China. When I told people that I am going to go to Spain, people are fascinated by it because Spain is a popular place for tourists with its museums, sports and food, but they are surprised that I would be doing research there because of the perception that there is very little science going on. Indeed, I wondered about it. Because in my neuroscience class, we learned about the discoveries made by the Spanish neuroanatomist Santidago Ramon y Cajal during our first lessons, yet, Dr. Ramon y Cajal made his discoveries in the early 1900. What must have happened is that with the civil war, World War II and the dictatorship of Francisco Franco starting in 1930s, the science in Spain came under a halt (I feel like the Franco period is extremely similar to the cultural revolution in China...that most people who went through the period are reluctant to talk about it). But when I arrived at the Cajal Institute on Monday, I was extremely impressed by its building, by the people, the resources and equipments. But this institute built only 7 years ago, when the Spanish government began to devote massive funding to attract more scientists, especially Spanish scientist who went to do research abroad. With the equipments being the same, I had no trouble of getting adjusted to performing the actual tasks required for project. But what is a little difficult is lab is set up in everything (5-7 people) work in the same medium-sized room where most of the equipments are, one can often hear conversations, making concentration more difficult. I really really enjoy the friendly environment this creates, but at times when I really need to focus on absorbing an idea, the sound can become disruptive (another possibility is that my ability to focus was weakened by the need to converse in another language).
The most fascinating yet difficult skill I learned this week is surgery (I won't go into the details here...). But moments when I saw definitely shaken by I saw the brain and the beating heart of a mouse. It is not the first time I saw these two things, but it is the first time that I was the one holding the scissor and scalpel.
Another random observation...in U.S., working with lab animals requires a stringent process of getting trained, applying to perform specific procedures on animals and wearing all the necessarily gears. In Spain, because it has become revive its research activity, many rules are still in the process of being developed and finalized, there is definitely some "gray" area. For instance, I am required to obtain a license to work with animals. To obtain that license, I needed document showing that I have been trained to work with animals, but the rule does not specify what kind of document I need. (update: but I was able to get the license. )
Place to stay (yay!:)
My new place landlords are amazing people!:) Especially Kirsten, one time I had to leave in a hurry, so I left my cookware in the sink, and she washed it for me later. Talk about cooking...I feel both fortunate and unfortunate. Kirsten had every kind of cooking utensil one can ever imagine...basically a full-scale kitchen...but my cooking skill is not developed enough to take advantage of this...sigh....
News ( :( )
Today when I finally had the time and energy to read the news, I was extremely saddened by both the English and Chinese news I read. It is hard for me to imagine that during the past five days, U.S.'s banking system had been in crisis, and parents in China are lining up in the hospitals to have their newborns examined. Because I am in Spain, I did not hear these tragedy talked about (or perhaps it was discussed just that I did not pick it up :( ). But returning to the topic on the similarities between China and Spain. So far, the price of the items in Spain are same and even more expensive than that of U.S. (with the exception of wine and chocolate). Yet, I see the supermarket full of people. China, on the other hand, despite the economic growth, its price of most items is significantly lower than that of U.S. I had been wondering why China received much more notice for its economical growth, and the most explanation I could come up with is the absolute size of China and its close economical ties with U.S.
Monday, September 15, 2008
My first formal Spanish dinner
This past Sunday, Kirsten invited me to have lunch with her family and friends. I happily accepted her invitation, but I was nervous about having lunch. Lunch began around 3:15 P.M. and took place at the backyard under the shades provided by a fig tree and grape vines. The people present were Kirsten's family and Martin (from Germany) and Honey (from Austria). In the beginning, while we were eating salad, cheese and BBQ meat and drinking either wine or orange juice (I chose orange juice), I noticed myself to be the only person using the American style of eating, i.e., first cut up the food with fork on the left hand and knife on the right hand, and then put the knife down on the plate and switch the fork to my right hand and then pick up the food. Everyone else was his or her utensils with the Europeans whie, i.e., eating with fork always held by the left hand and knife by the right hand. But no one seemed to mind :).
Along with the salad and later a stew as the main plate and dessert, the entire meal took two and a half hours along. During which we talked about many things, including soccor and politics. It was very relaxing. I thoroughly enjoyed it, except at the end, when I was helping Kirsten putting away the dishes, I noticed the massive number of dishes and cups and utensils that needed to be washed :(.
But everything else--which was all wonderful--has definitely given this meal a special place in my memory.
Along with the salad and later a stew as the main plate and dessert, the entire meal took two and a half hours along. During which we talked about many things, including soccor and politics. It was very relaxing. I thoroughly enjoyed it, except at the end, when I was helping Kirsten putting away the dishes, I noticed the massive number of dishes and cups and utensils that needed to be washed :(.
But everything else--which was all wonderful--has definitely given this meal a special place in my memory.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday morning in Spain
Today I woke up at 8 A.M., which was very late for me. I think it was because the temperature was low (around 15 C) and I had a nightmare that lasted longer than usual. The house was really quiet and the only sound comes from the chirping of birds outside. After brushing my teeth, I realized that I did not have food, but I was not sure whether or not Caprabo, a supermarket about fifteen minutes away from where I lived, was open. After browing through its website and failing to find its hours of operation, I decided to walk to Caprabo. It was a On my way to Caprabo, I saw only a few people (mostly older people) on the streets walking their dogs. Unfortunately (but I kind of predicted), Caprabo was closed. I searched really hard but could not find its hours on the entrance (before leaving, I also looked at its website and could not find the schedule there either..faint...). Instead of going back, I decided to explore the area surrounding Caprabo. After walking in a random direction for about 15 minutes, I found a local bakery that was open and bought a loaf of bread for 0.95 euros (about $1.40). The owner was unbelievably nice and patient because it took me a long time to decide which one to buy. Moreover, when I asked him whether or not he sells coffee, he directed me to the bar near the street corner. I went into the bar, bought a cafe con leche and sat there and read the newspaper "el pais" for about 45 minutes. It was surprising that a significant portion of the newspaper was devoted to international news: there was a special coverage on Stalin, on the image of governor Palin, on the conflicts in Bolivia and Venezuela and on the tortures of minor in Guatamolo Bay (the last news definitely disturbed me). It seems that Spaniards pay a lot attention to news, for most people who were walking their dogs were also carrying a copy of the newspaper. In the cafe, where the owner provided "el pais", "el mundo" and "ABC" for his costumers, those who were not chatting were reading the news. However, they were all people who were middle-age or older, so I don't know if young people in Spain read the news as much (though when I talked to Kirsten's son yesterday, he was eating breakfast while reading the news, so maybe :) ). On the book review section, it talked about a book that teaches people how to save money at a time when the economy is bad. Faint....... It seems to be true. When I was walking towards the market, I saw several houses and apartments that were up for sale.
One thing that I remembered from orientation was the talk bu Professor Anden. He was concerned about the fact that very few young people in Spain pursue science and engineering. After observing the people walking on the streets, I realized that young people, much more often than older people, tend to walk in large groups (older people either walk alone or walk in group of two, like husband and wife, mother and daughter). It just dawned onto me that compare to the humanities subjects, science and engineering require more individual thinking. At least for me, I can only absorb the most difficult concepts when I am thinking in a quiet place where no one else is around.
Sigh...today is Sunday, so I know that Prado's museum is open for free. I really really want to go, but I have work to do...sigh....maybe next month, when things become more relaxed...then I am definitely going to spend a lot of time at that museum.
One thing that I remembered from orientation was the talk bu Professor Anden. He was concerned about the fact that very few young people in Spain pursue science and engineering. After observing the people walking on the streets, I realized that young people, much more often than older people, tend to walk in large groups (older people either walk alone or walk in group of two, like husband and wife, mother and daughter). It just dawned onto me that compare to the humanities subjects, science and engineering require more individual thinking. At least for me, I can only absorb the most difficult concepts when I am thinking in a quiet place where no one else is around.
Sigh...today is Sunday, so I know that Prado's museum is open for free. I really really want to go, but I have work to do...sigh....maybe next month, when things become more relaxed...then I am definitely going to spend a lot of time at that museum.
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