Clair De Lune, Debussy

another lab day!

today I extracted some DNA from our fli1a:eGFP background and1/2 mutants so that we can genotype them. I ran an RT-PCR and I’ll do the gel tomorrow to determine their genotype (all with the help of the amazing MSc. student i’m working under).

the fish are all currently really small so it was harder to cut their fins, but I think it went well for my first time! hopefully my PCR is successful too...

the fins regenerate in about a week, so these fish will be good as new soon!

Tips for Improving your Self -Esteem

The following suggestions may be helpful for a person who finds that they are struggling with low self-esteem:

1. It starts with a decision to be your own person. Don’t live your life to please, or impress, others.

2. Try to grasp the fact we have different goals and values … And don’t be swayed by people who criticise your dreams.

3. Don’t compare your journey to someone else’s journey as we start from different places and face different challenges.

4. Be kind, understanding and patient with yourself. Accept mistakes and failures are part of all our lives. Also, choose to frame mistakes as learning opportunities.

5. You need to root for yourself, and seek to be your own best friend. Don’t put yourself down – in public, or when you’re alone.

6. Remind yourself a weakness can become a strength in time. It takes patience and effort – but eventually things change.

7. Make a list of what you’re good at, and keep adding to the list. Also, note the strengths that others see, and comment on, as well.

8. Treat yourself with respect and praise the things that you do

9. Find ways to dissipate and channel negative emotions. Don’t allow them to dictate the way you start to see yourself.

10. Spend time with those who like you, and can see your worth and value. Ignore those who attack you, and would like to see you fail.

11. Choose to stand up for yourself, and value being more assertive. Also, set and then enforce appropriate, healthy boundaries.

12. Admit your mistakes - then learn to laugh at yourself. It helps remove the pressure and the stress of “being perfect”.

Frida Kahlo - self portrait with cropped hair

kaitsbookcase

- ̗ ̀ study break ideas  ̖ ́-

if you have 5 minutes...

watch a TED talk

light a candle

paint your nails

put on a hair/face mask

splash your face with cold water

walk around your house

stretch

have a small snack

make a cup of tea/coffee

clear your desk

if you have 10-15 minutes...

watch a longer TED talk

watch a youtube video on studying/something educational

do some yoga

go for a quick run

have a shower

make a smoothie

power nap

workout

organise your desk

if you have 20-35 minutes...

watch a longer TED talk

watch one short episode of a tv programme

do a longer workout

go for a longer run

go for a walk

bake something

call a friend

if you have 40-60 minutes...

watch a documentary

watch one longer episode of a tv programme

go for an even longer walk/run

have a bath

have a one hour nap to help you remember things

sometimes i just want to pinch myself - I can’t believe this is where I live & that these are the kinds of coffee shop views I get to experience on a daily basis. 

“Make your education valuable. Apply what you learnt. Refuse to take the back seat and watch things happen. Join the change and be part of the change.”

- Israelmore Ayivor

Apollo 11 Hasselblad image from film magazine 38/O - Lunar orbit, Trans-Earth coast. x

Tonight this woman returns from space, the all-time US record-holder. Commander Peggy Whitson PhD, you rock.