Overwhelmed

I never thought that I could would handle so many T75 Flasks in one go.

That probably sums up the past couple of weeks. The deadly combination of BN3101: Biomedical Engineering Design and my Final Year Project is finally taking a toll on me. Indeed, while many have pointed out that I've only 2 modules with one solitude FYP to deal with this semester, it still felt like a horrid 6 modules semester.

But then again, if you've never taken BN3101 before, you would never comprehend the arduous twice weekly group meetings, along with presentations, consultations and tests. Yes, I finally comprehended with my heart and soul why BN3101 is the nightmare for all NUS Bioengineers.

Then again, one would say, it's only one freaking module... How can one single module mess up your semester?

Easier said than done, unless you're doing your FYP at Biopolis. Ha. You probably would have heard me whine about the irritating bus service 95, and how the return trip from NUS would take me an hour.

Then again, I proved myself wrong when I subcultured 12 T75s the next time.

Sigh...

Remind me again why seniors would warn against projects dealing with cells...
Like ADHD-babies, my damned stem cells keep protesting to be seeded, harvested and counted.

So for 3 times a week, I would either have to take my lunch or dinner at least 2 hours after my normal mealtimes, in the name of FYP.

@#@*10.30PM??!! (#*@#@(*@#

I don't know how the heck I'm going to avoid developing gastric pains, but wise time management would be much appreciated.

@*&@)!@#*$#@#@*11.24PM???!?!?!!!!!!!!!!

Believe me, cells can be bloody bitchy too.

Final Year Project

Lunging Lunches

It's unbelievable but it's officially over a month since I started my internship at IBN!

At least once a week, lunch would be a long-stretched affair. Compulsorily copious amount of fellowship and gossiping.

Megabites at NUS

Yes. I know it's heresy but we actually took a bus down from Biopolis to Science Fac in NUS.

Well, I'm not complaining though.

Coffee Culture at Biopolis

Surprisingly good and serves teh tarik!

Then last Thursday, to celebrate (can't find a better word... Ha) Kangwen last week, our supervisors treated us to an Indian lunch at Raj!

The cups was arranged in a way to look like a smiley.

Well. At least it's SUPPOSED to...

The curries were great though too mild to water my palate. I particularly loved the one which had a strong nutty (cashew) flavour. That said, I wouldn't recommend the Mango Lassi. It was tasted like commercial mango yoghurt drink.

Of course, after great lunches, the day would not be complete with slacking at a pantry.

Nope, it wasn't just the usual scenic pantry I posted before, but one which came with a coffee machine!

Me happily steaming my milk.

And it's big.

And if lunch was a disappointment, why not throw in more snacks!

Complete with bean bags to sleep in (or camwhore)...

Okay, enough about my internship at IBN.


On 12th June, I dined at one of the most atas place I've ever been in Singapore. (At least without the financial support of my parents...)

North Border Bar & Grill

Located at Rochester Park, opposite Biopolis, it serves American Southwest Cuisine.
While initial plans were to dine at lush One Rochester, it was unfortunately packed... On a Thursday Night!
While the website of North Border looked little clumsy (http://www.northborder.com.sg/), the food served certainly blew me away.

Lamb Chops with Mojito

From the modest-looking vegetables to the mash potatoes to the succulent medium-rare lamb to the sauce... it felt meticulously prepared with the sides complementing the main very well.
My only qualm was that the lamb could be slightly less chewy (read: fatty). Other than that, it was arguably one of the best dinners (and most expensive) I had this year.

Yet, after all the above feasting, people have commented that I looked like I've lost some weight...
Hmmm...

Busily Attached

I have no idea why or how I can be kept perpetually busy even after my examinations has ended. While I know I'm pretty notorious for not using MSN, it's preposterous that Windows XP is attesting to that fact.

For no reason, I miss the deep fried calamari Aglio Olio in Science canteen.

The few reasons why studying for Government and Politics of Singapore can be emotional...

Fine. I've digressed.

Anyway, I have finally completed two weeks of internship at Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, under the umbrella of A-Star.
During the one-day orientation, I met up with the fresh batch of 20 students under the Youth Research Programme. For some strange reason, there were only 2 guys (including me) and 2 from NTU. The gender and institution ratio was more balanced in the research labs though.

IBN is located in Nanos building at the still spanking new Biopolis.

This is the Level 6 labs which I'm working in. While it looks seemingly cluttered, I think the ones in NUS look disastrously messy in comparison.

For each drawer, there is a systematic labeling system.

Even if it is UNKNOWN.

My Permanent Workplace: (Biohazard!) Cell Culture Room

*cues in eerie music*

Serious, I actually find it quite cosy (read: small).

I turned on the lights to take these photos. Usually, they're off when there are light sensitive experiments taking place.
Because my supervisor is hardly around, this hood is almost exclusively mine mine MINE!
Ha. Not only do I have a personal hood, I have one CO2 incubator all to myself!

Check out my name on it!

While I was initially whining (in the first week) that I was the only one not doing cell culture in a cell culture room, my other lab mate recently taught me how to subculture.

He described likened the cells as "Neopets". Always in need of a constant supply of food in the form of a cell culture medium. But unlike Neopets, they really do die when not fed.

These were my fresh baby Neopets!

Awww... Don't they look cute? I haven't decided on all their names yet since I suspect there are thousands of them.

Of course, cultivating these Neopets come at a heavy cost to the environment. Look at how many serological pipettes I've wasted in less than an hour... All in the name of sterility.
Of course, after some serious lab work, there must always be time for tea break at the pantry.

Ah. The pantry with a bird's eye view...

I could literally sit here for hours, musing about life.

At 3PM from Monday to Thursday, there would be this auntie who would make hot lemon tea.
A brilliant creation I say!

So far, I think this attachment has been surprisingly interesting and a real eye-opener in more ways than one. I even had the privilege of tio-ing the annual safety inspection check.

Anyway, during a meeting last week, my mentors and lab mates were discussing about hPT cells. The conversation went something like that:

Shah: After over a week, Kang Wen found out that the cells had started to clump together. Jeremy suspect that it was starting to differentiate.

*everyone started to giggle*

Shah: He said maybe if you leave it long enough, it might actually start to form tubules.

*stifled giggles gave way to bursts of laughter*

You know what?
I'm kinda worried that my sense of humour is getting really skewed, barely half a month of internship.