Posted by Josh on May 13th, 2008 in Life ·
With the onset of my job here at SickKids, I find myself in the daily commute. My mornings commence at 6:30 AM, with the sound of my dog snorting at my door. My eyes pop open in frustration. I’m out of the house by 7:10, where I venture off to the Second Cup for a coffee and a raspberry white-chocolate scone. Thirty minutes later, just enough time to polish off a coffee, I find myself down at Kipling station, where I, along with hundreds of other individuals jockey for a position along the yellow margin lining the subway platform. A subway arrives, and from that point on, the pushing and shoving begins.
This morning I was presented with a seat, a lovely treat to have considering the distance I was going. A woman flopped down beside me with a purse large enough to carry a small child. Her bag sat on my lap too. She then felt the urge to rummage. And by this I mean that her elbows extended at a sharp angle and travelled laterally as she peered into this womb of hers. She drove her elbow into my ribs. And from the rapid chain of events which ensued, I assume she jabbed the guy to her left as well, for a man who looked quite dishevelled arose rapidly and promptly relocated himself beside a much more ginger looking woman. I winced, and the lady next to me settled back in her place.
After dashing around St. George station through the thronging crowd migrating up the staircase, I once again found myself along the yellow line, anticipating prime realty in the cabin. I slid in, finding myself a pole to hang on to and foot-space to maintain my balance. A group of people filed in beside be; a girl was standing next to me. Her bag was larger than the other lady’s was, and nestled on her hip between her shoulder in such a way as to occupy the standing room that another individual could have had. She lost her balance as the subway jolted forward, and the bricks she must have been carrying, cuffed me in the side. I glared at her and then tried to shuffle away, not wanting to loose the handle space and foot-plantings that I won quite fairly. She backed up and jabbed me again with her bag, quite oblivious to the weaponry she was harbouring.
Lucky for me I only had two stops before I could relieve myself of this pain in my side. I climbed the staircase and arose through Queen’s Park station.
I can’t wait to see how well I do tonight.
Posted by Josh on February 18th, 2008 in Life ·
Today was my first day back in Paris in three years. I stepped off the airplane into a bath of balmy sunlight. It’s good to be back.
We spent the afternoon and evening negotiating the streets of Paris - after having dropped our stuff off at the place we’re staying, Bruce Ly and I found ourselves at the foot of the Eiffel tower. A classic landmark perhaps, but a majestic one at that.
Tomorrow we plan on going to the Louvre, and perhaps to do some fantasy shopping aux Champs Elysées.
More to come - of course - but as I sit here with my Fanta Lite, and my Biscuits Prince, I find myself in need of catching up on the eight hours of sleep I lost to Bee Movie and Michael Clayton on the airplane.
Until tomorrow.
Love as always.
Josh
Posted by Josh on January 25th, 2008 in Life ·
Among other things, the past few days have been wrought with extremes. It seems as if everything in my life has had to be so dramatic.
The weather started off quite balmy - a great way to have it in January; then this rather disgusting blast of snow followed by a descent in temperature as sharp as Sweeney Todd’s razors. My hands are numb. The snowplows were out on campus, clearing walkways and laying sand. One must have paused in disgust at the weather - there was enough sand left on Winegard Walk to plant a small forest. I’ve spent the last two days wading through snow soup, struggling with my shoes - trying not to kick up a fuss.
Then from Guelph to Toronto I went yesterday for an interview with Dr. Norman Rosenblum at the Hospital for Sick Children. I was offered a summer research position with him trying to understand the role of Sonic Hedgehog (a gene that’s highly active in early embryological development) in proper kidney development. I’m quite proud - it’s a wonderful opportunity. This however, means that I’ll be back in Mississauga for the summer months. And, perhaps, sacrificing my independence for a little while.
Here’s hoping that Sonic or any other hog for that matter doesn’t see his shadow - I don’t know how much more of this weather I can take.
Posted by Josh on December 25th, 2007 in Life ·
Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
Best wishes this season as despite the intention of the holiday, it often results in a very chaotic and stressful week of events.
I can’t wait to work my 9 hour shift tomorrow at Mexx. I’m quite amused.
Lots of love as always,
Cheers Everyone!
Posted by Josh on December 3rd, 2007 in Life ·
I suppose it was bound to come sooner or later. But why now? It seems as if mother nature has decided to impinge herself on us at such an inopportune time. Courtesy of recent snow-thaw and subsequent freeze, I have spilled on the ice no less than three times today, regaining my footing with an awkward yet frustrated smile on my face.
I have not yet had an opportunity to venture out to a shoe store to purchase an acceptable boot. Until I am able to do so, I would kindly ask Mother Nature to keep it in her clouds!
On a more appropriate note, I am quite happy that this semester is coming to a close. I write my last two finals this upcoming Friday and Saturday - with each exam weighing in at a respectable 100% of my final mark. Cheers to Immunology and Human Physiology!
On a more anticipatory note, in reflection of a fourth year research project, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to pursue my research interests with Dr. Jonathan LaMarre in the area of RNA regulation and attenuation. I will be working with him over the next year and a half as I finish my undergraduate degree, and I must admit that I am quite excited to have this opportunity.
Back to the books - for now!