Ok, guys I am in Foz do Iguacu right now
and a docile black cat is snuggling me on my lap as I type this. I couldn't be
any happier. I dont have pets at home and haven't sat on a couch with a
companion animal in so long. I am so at peace!!!
Now that you know how I am doing, how are
you???
That's great!!! What's that I hear, you want
to learn about PCR?
Let me tell you, its a very useful and
cool lab procedure where a small piece of DNA can be amplified using primers
and DNA polymerase. This technique is being employed in my lab to research
genetic variability among shrimp. There are many species of shrimp, however for
commercial use (i.e. for eating), one species predominates being cultivated.
Meet Litopenaeus vannamei, a quirky little guy I have yet
to see as when the animals were collected for sample preparation I was not yet
established in the lab. The reason this is of interest is that genetic
variation located in the microsatellites might produce a different biochemical
response. This has a commercial value as shrimp farmers will be able to use
this data to see if a certain genotype is better for cultivating. There's more
to the story of shrimp DNA, stay tuned, insta, or email me.
The first day in Brazil was mindblowing
for me. Our professors took us to the mall and we went into a store, BIG, owned
by WALMART. But the similarity ended there. There were some similar products,
but packaging was super different. I was thinking of having oatmeal as
breakfast everyday as a healthy and economical choice, however in Brasil, there
are other options. The packages of oatmeal are super small compared to our
large canisters at home in the US.
Another thing that is different in my life
here is relying on Uber or the bus. In America I have a car, with this
contraption, life is possible on my own schedule. Now Uber exists and started
in the US, but for someone with a car who drinks very little to none, I had no
need to learn how to use it. Here, thanks to Winter Beaton, I have become a
pro. haha
In addition, I have learned many, many and
many more things while here. The one thing I would like to teach you tonight is
attention to people is very important. The first weekend I was here, I found the
South American Ironman (an ironman is a type of triathlon, a multi-sport
consisting of swimming, biking and running, in that order) Championships and I
was able to attend. This was a grand time. A very exhilarating day for me. My
first weekend in a land unknown. So I'll get on with this recount. I found a
place in the front row for viewing the swimming. After about 30 minutes,
everyone had gotten into the ocean and started the swim. Now I wanted to know
where the bikes would be so I could see the people begin their bikes. Not
knowing, I saw a very confrontational girl telling people to stay behind the
set boundaries for the swim on the beach. She had her arms out and her face
expression was like: "Guys why are you doing that, get out". Being tired
and not seeing another person close to me, I approached her and asked if she
spoke english. She said a little and this was the beginning of the epic day
with my new friend Renata!
With her, I have seen and experienced so
many wondrous Brazilian things (coisas) that I wouldnt have otherwise. I have
been to festa julhina parties, rode around the island on a moto and have seen
such wondrous sights because of this marvelous human.
Now why is the reason I share this story
with you? Its to show that when two people, regardless of shared language
(especially now with Google Translate, another story for the next blog), are
interested in each other, a relationship is formed. In this case, this girl
speaks and understands more english than I can understand portugues but we were
able to not use our phones except for google translate, haha) for a whole
fantastic day and experience what it is to be actually human!!!!!
Thanks MHIRT!!!!
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