Summer is here and so am I

So it's been a while.... In case you were worried, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. (But seriously next time if you are worried about that drop me a message or something just in case.)

I have been busy working, worrying, living, baking, creating, skiing, running, moving, listening to music, making music,and an assortment of other activities. Circumstances as they are my original 2 month contract (Jan-Feb) has been extended repeatedly. Often with only a couple days notice before its expected end date. The month-by-month tension wasn't awesome, and the way I dealt with it (blissful ignorance and denial) wasn't the healthiest either. Finally I have the relative security of a 4 month contract but had the urgent need to find a place to stay yet again. I can't express how grateful I am to my church family here. When I express a need they repeatedly do whatever they can to fill it including inviting me into their homes, directing me towards available housing, and providing me with a bed.

Work has settled into a comfortable, if a little tedious, routine. I never expected to be working full-time in a chemistry lab. Initially it was exciting and challenging as I learned new lab protocols, but eventually this settled down into a regular rhythm to the point that I occasionally feel like just another piece of lab equipment. I have found setting goals and keeping track of my "personal bests" in regards to lab production to be effective in keeping me engaged in my work and constantly striving to do my best.

As an added challenge I have been focusing my energies and talents on some of my hobbies. I really enjoyed baking this winter especially fresh bread. I decided to stop buying store bought bread and make all of my bread myself. Which I found relaxing and enjoyable. I even developed my own recipe for a braided apple cream cheese streusel which is delicious and looks impressive to boot. I also started work on a painting for some dear friends and continued working on a painting I started earlier this fall. In addition I received a coupon for a discount on some music lessons; so I decided to get some more instruction on the violin (or fiddle.) Progress is slow but I would say I now am closer to using the violin as a musical instrument as opposed to an instrument of torture.

My music addiction is in full swing and I have enjoyed discovering some new bands as well as enjoying some old favourites. It is possible that I have been purchasing new music at too fast of a rate- you need to live with a CD for awhile to fully absorb and enjoy it. I think I need to go back and savour some CD's I had purchased awhile ago but haven't listened to that much lately. But there is so much good and interesting music out there and so little time! That and the website Noisetrade keeps me fuelled with constant new suggestions and the opportunity to legally download the music cheaply or for free. Their suggestions are consistently top notch! Recent finds include Jenny and Tyler, Josh Garrels, and Ivan & Alyosha. I have included some Youtube clips for your listening pleasure.

Until next time Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbeZwvB8BiE   - some reason can't link the actual video but this will take you to the page on YouTube for a song called Be Your Man by Ivan & Alyosha. Definitely check it out the video is a delight to the eyes and to the ears. It is a ton of fun and an excellent summery sounding song! Kick up your heels and dance!!!

Jenny and Tyler were the soundtrack to my winter Jan-Mar. They are an awesome husband and wife duo. I chose to link a few videos of theirs. I listened to their album Open Your Doors a lot this winter- it had a good mix of music both worship and music that ministered to my melancholy. Their music makes me want to make music too. Their song See the Conqueror was my song for lent- I recently found it is also in my church's hymnal but with a different tune. I like their version better and might try it out with the praise team at my church if I get the chance.

  

Finally the soft sweet and incredible sounds of Josh Garrels. I had downloaded his album Love War and the Sea In between last year sometime but didn't get around to really living with the music until recently. I am consistently astounded by what he does with his voice!! Pilot Me sings to me of the Pacific Northwest and why I want to go back to British Columbia and the Gulf islands. Sailor's Waltz and I'll Fly Away are just fantastic and make me want to go practice my fiddle. Which I think I will just go and do right now.

  

International Women's Day and Female Chemists

Lately whenever I tell people about my current job their reaction is something like:

"Wow, you are a chemist? You must be really smart!"

Lots of food colouring in water and a random microscope but no actual science

Most recently I got this reaction from a female pastor and from a stay-at-home mother- two career choices that I personally think require a vast amount of skill and intelligence. I quickly reminded these ladies that what they did was even more amazing in my books. I think I would be even more overwhelmed if I had to fill in for one of them for a day then they would be if they had to fill in for me. Not to downplay my job but I think many people would be surprised to find that my job involves a whole lot more weighing things, repetitive tasks, and mounds of dishes; and a whole lot less bubbling beakers or foaming flasks with vibrant coloured liquids. (Actually if there are any of the latter something has probably gone horribly wrong!!)

I'd be confused too if you asked me to be part of this picture

That being said I love my job and feel so lucky to be involved in scientific research.

I am not normally one to comment on women's role in science. I don't really think there are many barriers, other than the ones we place on ourselves, to a woman having a successful career in science compared to a man. However I acknowledge this hasn't always been the case. In honour of International Women's Day and my current job as a chemistry technician I would like to bring you the perspective of two current women in science and my thoughts on their thoughts. I encourage you to click on the links and hear what they have to say (the links bring you to an audio file) courtesy of the Chemical Heritage Foundation.

Honestly?!? Where to begin....

Sarah Mullins- "Nothing is better than a good day in the lab"
This first talk won me over with her love of hydrogen bonding. I love hydrogen bonding too and it was a major reason why I love chemistry. Someday I shall have to tell that story because it is integral to how I view science and it's role in society especially as to how it relates to my faith. Until I get around to it if you really want to know just ask me sometime- be prepared for a long answer, that is best served with a delicious beverage (I suggest a latte or a beer.)

Like Sarah, I too have experienced being the only woman in the room, or in a chemistry class. But I have also experienced the reverse- there was only one male (apart from the professor) in my university Biochemistry class. Maybe my experience is unique but I think things are changing in this regard.

I want to thank her for her commitment to breaking down barriers in the workplace that might prevent other women from seeking careers in Science and technology.  And I have to agree when it comes to a day of work- there is nothing better than a good day in the lab- except perhaps a good day in the field/on the lake. (Hey aquatic ecology is my true love after all!)

Sarah Widder- "We've come a really long way"
I really identified with Sarah Widder's perspective and experience. I too worried about how I should dress as a female scientist so people would stop mistaking me for a student. The demands of working in a chemistry lab make this more difficult to find appropriate clothing than other workplaces: clothes have to be comfortable, fit under a lab jacket, and be affordable so that if you spill strong acid on them and destroy them you aren't going to go broke replacing your wardrobe.

Her advice not to sell yourself short is something I need to work on. I find it natural to downplay my talents and abilities and need to learn to speak up a little more. I too found that my experience and knowledge is valued in the workplace despite my youth compared to my colleagues, and never found my gender to be an issue. In today's scientific world the focus is more on what you know and what you are capable of you are only limited by your own insecurities, abilities, and goals. So for females thinking about a career in Science -GO FOR IT!!! The path is wide open and the world is wonderful so let's explore!

And with that I leave you with some chemistry related cartoons and puns!

A Chemist's Candy Conundrum

Unsuspecting chemist attempting taffy making

Because of my background in chemistry I normally am not very intimidated by anything in the kitchen. I like to think that if I can synthesize complex organic molecules in the lab it shouldn't be too hard to do whatever is needed in the kitchen. And so when I decided to try making saltwater taffy in preparation for leading a group of seventh graders in doing the same I didn't think much of it. I watched an instructional video, read the recipe, gathered my ingredients and dove in.

 I soon found out that making taffy is tough and I know the old saying is that a poor work(wo)man blames her tools but honestly it would have helped if I had a candy thermometer that could read the temperature accurately. My first batch appeared to be going well until I had the candy out and started pulling it. With my first pull I knew something must be wrong. I know pulling taffy is tough but I only managed about 5 pulls before I was done.

The result was a rock hard candy that had to be cut with a chopping knife rather than a pair of scissors. The candies themselves do not taste bad, although they taste more like caramels then the orange flavour they are supposed to be. If I were to market these candies I would probably give them a "sermon-long" guarantee, they seriously last a looong time in your mouth. 

Disappointing rock hard results

 With a little bit of investigating I found that my candy thermometer was approx 8 C off in reading the temperature. Not good when an exact temperature was needed.

Warning: contents of pan are approx 8 C hotter than they appear

So like any good scientist I delved into some research and read a bunch of peer reviewed journals (aka candymaking and recipe blogs.) I soon determined that the faulty temperature was probably the main culprit for the too hard candy. Also if I needed to quadruple the amount of flavouring I used if I wanted to actually taste the flavouring.

It being only 9:30 pm I figured I had time for a second go. So I gathered my ingredients and set out armed with my improved knowledge. My mixture boiled.... and boiled... and all the sane members of my family went to bed (so sadly no more pictures.)  Finally I thought I had the correct temperature and took my concoction off the stove. I added food colouring and flavour and poured some out to test the consistency. I soon found out that this batch was too cool. So I put it back on the stove and reheated.... and repeated that process several times before I finally decided I might have it right. By now I had several burns on my hands from inadvertently grabbing the metal thermometer (ouch!) I poured the mixture out and waited hopefully. But alas the sugar molecules in the taffy were mocking my labcoat and as I greased up my hands to pull the taffy I soon found out I still had not heated the candy enough as the would be taffy dripped down my arm and turned into an oozy sticky (but delicious!) mess.

Figuring I couldn't make it any worse I plopped it in a container and stuck it in the microwave for 45seconds and poured out the result once again. After some cooling time I once again greased up my now burnt and blistered hands and made an attempt to pull the taffy. I still think the taffy is too soft but by now I was well into the next day and rather tired of this taffy so I stretched it out and cut it up. Not being a huge candylover I am not sure what the correct taste or texture of saltwater taffy is. I do know that with a little bit of refrigeration and a whole lot of icing sugar my taffy manages to maintain a shape. As for the taste it mostly tastes like butter, salt and icing sugar with a hint of orange flavour. For lack of a better example I am going to just go ahead and say that is how it's supposed to turn out until someone with more candy knowledge corrects me.

 (I figure I have a few hours to enjoy my success until they wake up.)