Celebrations, Then Back To Reality

Before I go back to regular programming, I shall bombard my page with more non-genomic-related stuff.

I did ask for a quiet day, and I got it. No parties, no visitors. Just me and him, like always. I loved it!

People say I should go out for a meal or go somewhere nice or have a party. That’s just not how I roll. I like peace and quiet, and I like staying in.

I promised not to do any studying today, and I didn’t, but it was so tempting to open a book and read about genes related to drug absorption and metabolism. Nope, not today.🤓

I did ask for lamb curry, so we bought the ingredients and my partner cooked it. It was beautiful! There was a lot leftover so I am certain we will have the rest tomorrow. For me, this was the highlight as it sort of became tradition now in our household. Lamb curry every 3rd of June. Karee wa oishii desu! ☺️☺️☺️

Growing up, the tradition where I lived was to have some kind of noodles or pasta like spaghetti as a symbol of long life and prosperity. Now, it’s lamb curry. Not a symbol of anything, though. I just like it.

My colleagues bought me a chocolate cake which we shared at work last Thursday. For today, I had this:

Yummy!

It’s a NY cookie the size of my hand, with white chocolate chips and (wait for it…) Victoria sponge cake in the middle (yes, it was embedded in the cookie dough)! I thought it was clever. Tasted amazing, too! No candles, though. Fire hazard 😁

Another present came today from my other half’s sister:

This was delivered at our doorstep. From M&S. Presenting, the oriental lily!

I can’t wait for the buds to open and say hello! More plants for my “growing” collection! Let’s just hope that the Wicked Witch of the South does not complain. I have prepared my rebuttal if she does.

Before sundown, I tended to my other plants, inspecting their wellbeing. The cherry sapling, strawberry plants, kale and stargazers looked very happy. The tomatoes, however, seemed to have given up. Oh well…

Speaking of stargazers, I did a “bud count” this afternoon. If all goes smoothly, I reckon there will be 45 flowers soon (15 the first year, 30 last year… Hmmm a pattern emerging). I think I ought to separate them now as they are getting more crowded where they are.

Spot the buds! My happy stargazers!

We then started watching a game show then 2 episodes of a 2020 HBO series called The Outsider. By about 22:00 HRS, as expected, I looked out of the window and saw this little one.

My little Tilty Head.

Every night it comes and lies there, waiting. Its head tilts to one side, like it was injured. Not so much anymore, I think it is on the mend. Phew.

And now, it is past midnight. Back to reality. I will definitely have to pick up where I left off in terms of my final assessment paper so I could finish it again ahead of time. I have already started one of them! Yay!

Right. Bedtime! Zzzzzz

Advertisement

It’s My Burp-day!

My fourth decade of life. I would summarise what I have achieved so far, but I am not sure. It feels like a series of starts with no ends!

I’d like to say, “getting there,” but that’s more hoping than anything. It’s okay. I will just make the most of it!

So, what do I do today? I’m not quite sure, either. I think a quiet day is just what the doctor ordered! No studying allowed!

Eh, that sounds good to me. 😁

I’ve Done It Again

My £1 book

I only wanted to sit and read; however, upon entry to the hospital library, I was greeted by a shelf where previous editions of textbooks were displayed and for sale for a pound a piece. I could not resist.

There was a book that I wanted on there, but the condition was not very good, so I opted for this one instead. Sixth ed, published in 2017 by Elsevier. I am sure there are updates, but I can find those out myself.

Pathophysiology. I remember being always the one to relay this on a group discussion. I liked it because knowing how things normally worked gave me an idea on why patients exhibit such and such symptoms. The usual anatomy and physiology first. Then the pathophysiology. It was good training for me.

Anyway, nostalgia aside… I’ve done it again! 😱😱😱

Present #2: Ode to the さくら

Those who have a keen eye…

Will definitely identify…

“Those with a keen eye will definitely identify…”

…what plant is pictured.☺️

I was at work when I received news that the recently purchased vehicle (seriously, not even 30 days ago) has started leaking oil, to add to the other issues we have identified upon receipt. Suffice to say, it wasn’t as advertised and the seller will have a fight in their hands if they did not sort things out.

Whilst having this discussion on my half-an-hour lunchbreak, my other half said, “Oh, by the way, your other present has arrived!” I was excited although he didn’t give me a clue as to what it was. All I had was an inkling.

I took the bus home and stopped by the shop to get some more oil just to top things up, enough to get the vehicle to the nearest garage. When I got home, I saw yet another box on the kitchen counter. This time it was long and slim, so I couldn’t even guess what was in it. He told me not to read the label. I obliged.

I carefully opened the box, and out came the plant (pictured above). I did not recognise it in the beginning, so I had to look closer. All I had to go on was the small trunk and the description and configuration of the leaves — simple, serrated, ovate with red-tinged petioles arranged in an alternative manner on the young branch. Beautiful. Perfect.

I ventured a guess as I didn’t really have a lot to go on. A cherry sapling! And to put an end to the torture of not knowing, I was finally allowed to peruse the label. Mini cherry, it said. Prunus Avium sylvia. Great for patios and small spaces. I was overjoyed! I really appreciate the presents he got me. I prefer it as they could last for years (just like my stargazers, 2 years and hopefully counting) versus flowers you put in a vase.

Like strawberries, cherries belong to the Rosaceae family. They shed leaves in winter then grow them back in spring (deciduous) like apple trees do. They’re related after all.

Only this one will not grow tall, but will bear flowers and fruits (I hope so, anyway).

Prunus avium has a relatively small genome at about 352.9 million base pairs (again, humans have about 3 billion base pairs). The sweet variety is diploid, meaning they have a set of 2 per chromosome (16 in total versus our 46) whilst the sour ones are tetraploids (32 chromosomes altogether). Genes embedded in these chromosomes is responsible for their physical attributes, just like every single living organism.

Not only are cherries beautiful especially when in bloom. They are also amazing sources of goodness like vitamins A, C and K, minerals, and fibre, as well as electrolytes like calcium, magnesium and potassium. They are low in calories, too, and have a low glycaemic index. Like the strawberries.

My mini cherry tree has now been repotted and living outside where it can enjoy the glorious sunlight it so needs to grow and flourish. Again, I shall update with more photos and news, good or bad!

By the way, “さくら” means “sakura” (cherry blossoms) for those who do not know. I’m trying to incorporate things that I’ve been learning in my day-to-day dealings. 😁

Have a good evening!

Spring Watch 2023

Yes, it has returned!

BBC started airing Spring Watch last night, and I am excited to see what other critters they have to show. So far, they’ve shown different species of birds, crawlies (nope, I refuse to call them “creepy”), ants, bees and wasps, otters, reptiles, and amphibians.

I also like plants, so it will be interesting what they have to offer in that department. Tonight’s episode showed the Venus flytrap, a fascinating plant known to be able to digest insects that fall prey to them. Very beautiful, too. I didn’t realise they are actually minute.

Some of the hosts are currently in RSPB Arne in the South West of England, with its beautiful scenery and diverse habitats and wildlife. One of the hosts is in Wales somewhere near Snowdonia. I think she is in the place called Gwaith Powdwr, an area used to manufacture explosives. Nature has reclaimed this once industrialised area, turning once again into stunning woodlands.

I am particularly interested in tomorrow’s episode. They will be showing a family of red foxes as one of their topics. Fox behaviour is very interesting to me. They display resilience and flexibility after humans have taken over their habitats, persecuted and misunderstood.

Anyway, I hope some of you could get to watch. If you like those sort if stuff, that is. I do. I think nature should be everybody’s business.

On that note, have a good evening, mina-san!

Transplantation Complete!

They can now enjoy the sun! I think I’ll get some straw to help retain moisture.

Also, here are some bonus pics from the garden:

Campanulas and their beautiful tone, bathed by the sun’s rays…

The Portuguese kale, no signs of slugs or snails yet..

It seems like I’ve taken out the Fahrenheit blues too early. I’m afraid they might not make it. Their baby plum tomato cousins are showing signs of flowering, though!

Tune in for more garden tales. TTFN!

Rose’s Kin: The Surprise

Look what arrived today!

Beautiful, green and fresh…

Graced by the presence of this little beauty..

Up close and personal. Have you guessed what they are? Yes, they’re strawberries !

Every year, I dread the anniversary of my natal day. There’s just this feeling at the pit of my stomach that I could not shake off for some reason. My partner always finds it challenging to figure out what to get me. He knows I don’t like jewellery, clothes/bags/shoes, makeup, and cut flowers; however, he knows what I do like.

Around 1400 HRS today, the doorbell rang. As usual, it made me jump although I knew my other half was expecting a parcel. I was working on my formative assessment for my pharmacogenomics module when this happened.

He answered the door, and indeed it was a delivery person. Thereafter, he summoned me to the kitchen. A surprise, he said to me. Curious, I approached and saw him carefully putting a huge box down at the kitchen counter.

Whatever could this surprise be? I thought to myself. I never would have guessed it. I attempted a few times (nope, nope and nope was his response). I gave up. So, armed with a knife, he cut through the seals and revealed 10 pots of strawberry (fragaria) plants! I was so excited! They were gorgeous! I was actually amazed at how they were kept fresh in that box, but they looked very healthy apart from a few which had broken stems.

I loved them! I’ve always wanted to grow strawberries ever since I first picked some in 2006 (Benguet, Philippines). He said another parcel will be coming soon. I need to contain myself! More plants? He wouldn’t tell me. 😑

Strawberries are related to apples, peaches, plums, and roses! Unfortunately, a punnet of strawberries is about £3, and I think it is ridiculous to pay that amount for a small punnet. Despite it being a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants (polyphenols), phosphorus and magnesium, it is very pricey that including it in our weekly shopping is not an option. Hoping these little ones would bear a lot of fruits, we might be able to enjoy consuming strawberries once again.

I read strawberries (along with other fruits like cherries, pears, plums, peaches and apples) have a low glycaemic index, which means they are great for people like me who has diabetes. Also, these scrumptious and succulent little yummies are low on calories.

An interesting information I learnt today as I tried to search for tips on how I could best look after these plants is that they have 7 sets of chromosomes, with 8 chromosomes per set (56 in total). In contrast, humans have 23 pairs, giving us 46 chromosomes (half from mum, half from dad). We also share about 60% of our genetic code with strawberries. Their genes, however, are responsible for traits like size, colour, shape and sweetness, amongst others.

Pretty neat, huh?

I am looking forward to the fruits! I will post an update in the coming months 🍓 ☺️

Let Them Grow Wild!

No mowing allowed!

Somewhere in the hospital grounds, this patch has been allowed to grow wild. It is beautiful and encourages wild life, too!

Just a quick post. Have a nice day!

Sequoias: I Think That I Shall Never See…

I wonder what’s caused these marks/striations…

The opposite of bird’s eye view.

Intricate, elegant…

…a poem lovely as a tree, as the opening of Joyce Kilmer’s poem goes.

I was in awe when I first saw a photograph of a car going through a giant redwood. I was a kid then (I still am, by the way. I never grew up 😁). It was so fascinating that the image remained imprinted in my mind to this day. Imagine my excitement when I saw them in the “bark” (not in the flesh 😂)!

Upon learning that there were redwood trees in Southampton, England, I knew I should not pass on the chance of meeting the giant trees. And I was not disappointed — the trees were stunning. The majestic sight of the towering redwoods gave me butterflies in my stomach and goose pimples. I never thought I would be able to see and touch them. I had to give the tree trunks a hug 😅! The bark felt spongy with age, and the buttresses served as very strong foundations, supporting the entire structure of each redwood.

The giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) at the “Tall Trees Trail” along Rhinefield Ornamental Drive in Lyndhurst, England stand majestically at around 48 and 51 metres. Brought over from North America, these trees were planted in the New Forest in the 1860s. Despite their height, they are no match to those found in California, which could reach over 90 metres!

Of course, I could not resist looking up how big the genome of these enormous organisms. Compared to the human genome (3 billion base pairs(bp)), giant sequoias have 8.125 billion bp with around 40,000 bp coding for proteins responsible for their traits, like resistance to some diseases. Their “cousin”, the coast/California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), has 27 billion base pairs! Some species live up to about thousands of years, with the oldest being around 3200 years old!

Having this information is crucial in conservation. The Redwood Genome Project (Save the Redwoods League) is an endeavour to sequence coast and giant redwoods in an effort to develop genetic screening tools to help conserve and manage these beautiful beings. Knowing how the species adapt to their ever-changing environment could inform future efforts for restoration and aid in management plans so that these trees continue to thrive in the future.

Humans are trees’ comrades as well as their worst nemesis. Anthropogenic activities such as decades of careless logging have caused the decline in number of trees. Little did people know that if we destroy them, we destroy ourselves as well in the process. Some people are making the effort to plant more trees, but the rate of loss is greater than the gain. Trees do not grow overnight. This notion is so obvious and yet humans neglect to see it.

Ah, I shan’t dampen the mood by more ranting. I would like to go back there someday and inspect things more closely, or just enjoy the vista and the shade. I “wood” and people should, too! See what I did there? 😁

The Perfect “Thyme”-ing

I like spring! Everywhere is bursting with colours. I wake up to the melodious songs of blackbirds and robins, full of pep and ready for whatever the day throws at them. Also, the temperature for me is just right — not too hot, not too cold.

I also look forward to seeing my plants bloom, and here’s one of them!

Pretty little pink flowers! My garden thyme in bloom

I wish I had more of them, but the wicked witch from the south has monopolised the communal gardens. So, I have thyme and oregano in the box garden plot, and the rest in pots.

I’ve applied for an allotment, hoping I could grow flowers, vegetables and fruits! It’s fun to watch things grow.

I shall post updates of the others next time. For now, it’s “thyme” to start a new day! Happy Sunday and minasan, yoi ichinichi wo (have a nice day, everyone)!