Where the magic happens

Not a big fan of inspirational speeches and talks, but I saw this picture on facebook today, and I think I should share it.

Most of us, if not all like to live in the comfort zone. And this is NOT wrong! You don't want to wake up everyday and get ready to challenge the world. Some of the days, you just need to relax and do the things you are best in. However, in the long run, in order to create magic, you need to move to the other circle... move to where the magic happens!

Today, I heard a meaningful sentence on my audio book. Technically, you are not the same person you are 6 months ago. Your whole body, each and every cell had been replaced! On a philosophical sense, if you are different now, why would you want stay in the same place? You should challenge yourself, do something different, do some scary and create some magic.

Now, go out today and create some magic.

Hannah's birthday

Ribs with mashed potatoes and vegetables

Today is the day we ended our 1-month vegetarian meal plan, and it is also Hannah's birthday. So what else is better than celebrating her 26th with pork ribs. Hannah was in school, while I came home early. Prepared the ribs, put in the oven for slow cooking over 4 hours. Cooked some mashed potatoes, cherry tomatoes and beans to go with the delicious ribs.

Hannah hunting for her present

Also, I bought Hannah a gift voucher from one of the shoe stores on Queen street. She always been staring at those shoes at display in the store. Not that I think she doesn't have enough shoes, but she is Hannah..the shoe lover! :) However, she has to work for it ... she had to hunt down the note for her birthday gift which I stuck in one of the balloons among 100 balloons.

Happy birthday, love.

Provisional PhD

Microbes could be the key to coral death

I had my first meeting with my primary adviser, Dr. Paul Kench last Friday. I have 8 provisional goals to reach within these 6 months in order to be a confirmed PhD candidate. These are the goals:

1. Full thesis proposal
2. Production of one substantial piece of written work
3. Presentation of research progress to a departmental seminar
4. Approval of the full thesis proposal by the department/ faculty committee
5. Attendance at one of the Doctoral Skills Program Induction Days
6. Undertake Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) online screening
7. Undertake preliminary trip to field site to obtain baseline ecological, geomorphic and hydrodynamic data
8. Learn and demonstrate competence in field and laboratory skills necessary to undertake microbial analysis of coral tissue.

The working title for my PhD research is "the effects of water flow on the microbial community structure in coral reef colonies and its implication to coral diseases.

Most, if not all field and lab work will be performed in Taiwan, collaboratiing with Dr. S L Tang from Academia Sinica. Therefore, I will be doing some travelling between New Zealand and Taiwan during the next few years. Although Dr. Tang had agreed to help me with funds for my field work as well as some lab work, I am still eagerly searching for more funds. I approached the University of Auckland scholarship committee a couple of days ago, and unfortunately, the qualification for PhD scholarship is purely based on GPA, without any consideration for the prospect of the research!...This is quite disappointing given that the school has always prided itself as one of the leading research institute. Anyway, onwards to search for more funds!

During our meeting last Friday, Paul mentioned that I should attend the International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) 2012 which would be held in Cairns, Australia between July 9th - 13th. He mentioned that although it is expensive (entry fee approx. NZD1200!), it is the biggest gathering of the world coral experts under one roof, and the next symposium will not be until 4 years later. It will be a great opportunity to get to know leading scientists, make new contacts and tap these brilliant brains for my research. Sigh.. need to look for more money :(