Going, going, gone

Tropical climate year round, 5 % of the world's biodiversity on 0.1 % of the world's landmass; ecotourism, beaches, and adventure.

Pura vida, pura vida... Pura vida!

Toodeloo February drizzle, we're off! See you in March, Seattle dearest.

Death stalker scorpion science!!!

As many of you know, I don't have Facebook (for several reasons). Unfortunately, that means that I miss out on some things that I would really like to support, such as Project Violet's Valentine's hunt for likes. What Dr. Jim Olson and his colleagues at Fred Hutch are doing is nothing but amazing, and a generous family has offered to donate $50,000 to get a critical piece of lab equipment for the project, provided that they get 5,000 likes.

You Facebookers out there, please visit their profile, like, and share with your friends: Project Violet on Facebook.

Fellow non-Facebook users, I encourage you to visit their website and read about tumor paint derived from the Israeli death stalker scorpion (sic) and other cool things: www.projectviolet.org.

I also strongly recommend this TEDx talk from Dr. Olson, for those who want to know more about their research: How Nature and a 9-Year Old are Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment.

Share the love, y'all!

My heart is in my belly

I always love breakfast but today I'm boosting it with some extra sweetness.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you: lovers and haters alike.

The Chronicles of Frost...ick*

The Sahlgrenska Academy asked me to write a little something for their newsletter, about my experiences from being an international postdoc. This is how it turned out:

In Swedish
In English

*Do not see this movie. Seriously, don't. Judy Dench must have had a small stroke when she signed the contract.

Birthday Bash 1.0

Little Cian, it's been a year since you entered this world and our lives - after causing a bit of drama... One year.

The memories of visiting you and your parents at the hospital for the first time are still very vivid; you were so tiny and seemed so frail. And now, look at you; showing off your first staggering steps on your birthday party, in front of everyone! No stage fright there. I'm so proud and happy to be your auntie, and can't wait to see all the awesome things you are going to learn and do and become as you make your way through life.

Singing, blowing out the candle, cheering.

Happy birthday, sweet little boy!

Champions!

Surely, you already know by now but I nonetheless have to report that Seahawks claimed Seattle's first Vince Lombardi Trophy yesterday as they literally destroyed Denver Broncos at Super Bowl XLVIII. (After that, the city went mad.)

We were watching the game at David's house nomming on chips, dip, cookies and cake whilst cheering, high-fiving, and not quite believing our eyes as Manning and his fellow ponies were brutally defeated on the field. They didn't stand a chance! Although I left the dancing on the streets to others, I feel really lucky to have had the privilege to follow Seahawks this season, all the way to the top for the very first time. I'm not just lucky, I'm proud! Damn proud.

Wicked! Go Hawks! YAY SPORTSBALL!

As a side note, this was a pretty unusual afternoon given that the Swedes were in majority at the party, thanks to a couple of visiting gentlemen from my old hood. Perfect timing, lads!

Good times x1000

What a weekend..! They just get more and more hard to beat, it seems. Stunning weather, scrumptious food, lovely friends, priceless conversations, and awesome activities. A few snapshots:

Marymoor Park, Saturday morning.

Columbia Center Sky View Obeservatory, Sunday afternoon.

You who have been to the fabulous Tavern Law with me, do you remember the mysterious door and phone? I've been upstairs now, at Needle and Thread! My verdict: nothing but fantastic. Those cocktails, my friends, those cocktails... Round one and round two.

Before the night was over I had, somewhat unexpectedly, had my first encounter with the Green Fairy. I sure didn't see that coming when I got out of bed that morning... Deliciously decadent, all of it!

Gym selfie reveals REPTILOID INVASION

HER FEET, WHERE ARE HER FEET!?!!!?!?!? Shape-shifter postdoc is NOT TO BE TRUSTED. Beware, Seattle! BEWARE. LIZARD!!!!!!!!

XLVIII*

Things are crazy in Seattle these days; google “12th man” and you'll understand what we're talking about. So much fun! The whole city is practically bursting in blue and green.

Yesterday, our Seahawks took on San Francisco 49ers in a nerve-wracking playoff game that seemed to last forever. After lots of cursing, sweating, shaking of heads, biting of nails, giving up and coming back, the boys made a crucial interception in the end zone on the 49ers' final possession, therby securing the National Football Conference championship and earning their place in the last game of the NFL season against the American Football Conference champion Denver Broncos. 

...that's right: SUPER BOWL, BABY! Yeah! SPORTS!

I was watching the game with a big group of friends - all rooting for Seahawks except for one poor 49ers fan (who wasn't too disappointed by their defeat, to be honest).

Fans at Fred Hutch took a sweet 12th man photo before the previous playoff game against New Orleans Saints. Love the spirit!

On February 2nd we'll be cheering, chanting, and screaming once more... GO HAWKS! SPORTS!

*It's the 48th Super Bowl

Incredible!

I'm glad to see that my favorite Thai restaurant makes good choices when it comes to eggs; I certainly prefer edible over the cheaper alternatives.

 

If someone can explain this to me, I'm all ears. And eggs. But mostly ears. Also: incredible!