A window on the tv; dark wood panelling, tall, Georgian;
A background row of semi-d's with neat gardens;
Familiarity a dagger, sending me slicing back,
On a blank-eyed trip to youth and freedom.
Creeping silent and subversive, sowing resentment and discontent,
The everyday moans screech like nails on a blackboard.
Housework - a curse; cooking - a torture;
Children - wild; no matter how well-behaved.
Spare me the daily effort of understanding.
Spare me the loneliness of a second culture.
Let me home to no need for translation.
Let me home to a break from being different.
Olive trees and hot sunshine, stuffed vine leaves and baklava,
Exotic to the girl I used to be,
The norm for the woman I have become.
Hard to renounce even for a brief hiatus.
Paradox
A window on the tv; dark wood panelling, tall, Georgian;
A background row of semi-d's with neat gardens;
Familiarity a dagger, sending me slicing back,
On a blank-eyed trip to youth and freedom.
Creeping silent and subversive, sowing resentment and discontent,
The everyday moans screech like nails on a blackboard.
Housework - a curse; cooking - a torture;
Children - wild; no matter how well-behaved.
Spare me the daily effort of understanding.
Spare me the loneliness of a second culture.
Let me home to no need for translation.
Let me home to a break from being different.
Olive trees and hot sunshine, stuffed vine leaves and baklava,
Exotic to the girl I used to be,
The norm for the woman I have become.
Hard to renounce even for a brief hiatus.
A background row of semi-d's with neat gardens;
Familiarity a dagger, sending me slicing back,
On a blank-eyed trip to youth and freedom.
Creeping silent and subversive, sowing resentment and discontent,
The everyday moans screech like nails on a blackboard.
Housework - a curse; cooking - a torture;
Children - wild; no matter how well-behaved.
Spare me the daily effort of understanding.
Spare me the loneliness of a second culture.
Let me home to no need for translation.
Let me home to a break from being different.
Olive trees and hot sunshine, stuffed vine leaves and baklava,
Exotic to the girl I used to be,
The norm for the woman I have become.
Hard to renounce even for a brief hiatus.
Diversity in Science Carnival #1
The first Diversity in Science Carnival is up at Urban Science Adventures. There are a lot of excellent posts collected there, but I wanted to specifically point to several posts about women scientists:
Tags: Diversity in Science
- Canadian Girl Postdoc in America writes about mathematician Katherine Okikolu
- Oceanographer Ashanti Pyrtle was the profiled by ScienceWoman and given a shoutout by Miriam at The Oyster's Garter
- Zuska writes about physiologist and academic leader Pamela Gunter-Smith
- DrugMonkey wrote about Drug Abuse Researchers Yasmin L. Hurd and Chana K. Akins
- Dr. Joycelyn Simpson and Dr. Patricia Bath are on Brett Trout's list of the Top 10 African American Inventors.
Join us late March/early April as Diversity in Science and Scientiae celebrate Women’s History Month and salute woman achievers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Technology.
Tags: Diversity in Science
Commenting Now Fixed
A few weeks ago, the blog was bombed with dozens of comments by a spammer. To stem the tide, I turned commenting off. I then cleverly tweaked the settings so that (I thought) comments on old posts would be moderated. Unfortunately I made it so that commenting didn't work at all, which I only noticed today. It should be working now.
I apologize to any of you who tried to leave a comment!
I apologize to any of you who tried to leave a comment!
Another Woman Scientist on the Obama Team: Lisa Perez Jackson of the EPA
On January 23rd, Lisa Perez Jackson was confirmed as the Administrator to the of the Environmental Protection Agency. Jackson earned her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at Tulane University in New Orleans, followed by a Master's degree from Princeton University. She's the first African American and the fourth woman to serve in that position.She began working with the EPA in 1986, developing hazardous waste cleanup regulations for federal Superfund sites. She ended up directing large cleanup operations in central New Jersey, which eventually lead to joining the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Eventually she was appointed the New Jersey Commissioner of Environmental Protection. The work she did there was characterized by the New York Times as one of her strengths:
Ms. Jackson, who is a chemical engineer, brought a more policy-driven approach to New Jersey’s historically politicized Department of Environmental Protection as its commissioner. During her 33 months in that job, the state began conducting compliance sweeps to crack down on polluters in environmentally ravaged sections of Camden and Paterson, ended its controversial bear hunt and unveiled a plan to reduce carbon emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.On the other hand, the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility have been critical of her work there, claiming that she has a "highly politicized approach to decision-making that resulted in suppression of scientific information, issuance of gag orders and threats against professional staff members who dared to voice concerns." She has stated, though, that "science will prevail over politics" in the agency's decisions. In her first month on the job, she has pledged to reconsider or reverse several Bush administration directives that would have reduced regulation on greenhouse gas emissions. That sounds like a good start.
For more about Jackson's thoughts on the environment, see the January 29 interview with Jackson in Essence.
Tags: Lisa P Jackson, EPA, chemical engineer
February Scientiae Carnival: Our Dreams for a Better, More Equitable Society
The February Scientiae Carnival was put together by Pat at Fairer Science, and it's a great one. This month's theme was about "our dreams for a better, more equitable society".
I especially like AcmeGirl's vision:
The March Scientiae Carnival will be hosted by Liberal Arts Lady. This month's theme is role models:
Tags: scientiae carnival
I especially like AcmeGirl's vision:
What I would like to see more of in our society in general is choice. Real choice. Not just new compulsory roles masquerading as choice. I mean a multitude of different ways for people to live their lives, and all of them equally viable and equally respectable.I don't think we can consider ourselves truly an equitable society until that's true, both socially and professionally.
The March Scientiae Carnival will be hosted by Liberal Arts Lady. This month's theme is role models:
Who inspires you or motivates you? Who would you call your role models, at any stage of your career?Email a link to your posts to scientiaecarnival (at) gmail (dot) com by midnight on Saturday, February 28th to be included.
Tags: scientiae carnival
Diversity in Science Blog Carnival: African-American Innovators
Danielle Lee @ Urban Science Adventures has started a new blog carnival: Diversity in Science.
I won't have time to post anything new in time to be included in the carnival, but you might be interested in some of my earlier posts featuring African-American and African women scientists and engineers:
Blogs of every genre are invited to write a special feature post about a person who is a pioneer and/or innovator in any of the amazing fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).February being Black History Month, the first carnival will be about African-American Innovators. The deadline is today, so if you want to be included, you'll have to dash something off. If you already have a blog post to submit, you can either follow the Blog Carnival Submission Link or leave a link in the comments to this thread.
Tell us all about him/her?
How has this person impacted field of STEM and/or inspired you?
Or why is his/her story interesting?
I won't have time to post anything new in time to be included in the carnival, but you might be interested in some of my earlier posts featuring African-American and African women scientists and engineers:
- Olufunmilayo Olopade: Breast Cancer Genetics and Race
- Joan E. Higginbotham wins Black Rose Award
- Marjorie Lee Browne: mathematician and educator
- Oprah Magazine Honors Women Promoting Science to Girls
- Science Careers: Why Did You Become a Scientist?: Pamela Clark
- Rocket Scientists
- 2009 L'Oreal-UNESCO Women in Science Awards: Tebello Nyokong
- Dorcas Muthoni: Anita Borg Change Agent Award Winner
- Women in Science: News from Africa
- Sisters in Science
Medicine, Women, Blogging and Other Thoughts
Just over five weeks ago I was getting ready to head to ScienceOnline09. I was really looking forward to meeting in person so many of the bloggers I regularly read, as well as my own session on a topic I love. My only worry was that living in Southern California had made my skin too thin for the anticipated winter weather. Then I got the phone call from my mom - my dad was in the hospital and I should come as soon as possible. So I canceled my flight to North Carolina and booked one for Northern California that very afternoon.
At the time I had no way of knowing I wouldn't be back home for a month, but so it happened. I spent a good chunk of that time at the hospital, either sitting with dad or in a waiting room. I guess I could have blogged during those times when I was just sitting and waiting, but honestly I didn't feel much like it. I also didn't really feel like reading other blogs, or novels, or much of anything else either. I kept mom company, I used my laptop to do what I had to get done, read the newspaper and did the crossword puzzle, but that's pretty much it. That, and sat and thought.
One of the things that's immediately obvious is that when you enter the hospital your care is largely dependent on women. Most of the nurses are women, as are many of the physicians and surgeons. It makes me wonder how people who think that women are intellectually inferior or don't have a strong commitment to their careers are able to cope with the idea that their very lives are in the hands of women. Racists and xenophobes must have an even tougher time. At the world-class hospital where my dad has spent most of the past month, many on the medical staff are non-white and/or immigrants. Perhaps there are hospitals in the US staffed predominantly by white American men, but that's certainly not true at the hospitals I've seen.
It turns out I have biases too - I keep thinking that some of the doctors look way too young to be practicing. For some reason I fell like doctors should be older than I am - that was true when I was 20, but not so much now that I'm in my 40s. It's a bit silly, I know, and if I were sick I wouldn't complain if Doogie Howser showed up, as long as I received quality care.
So now dad has been transferred to a skilled nursing facility, and I've returned home, at least for a short while. I've done a big pile of laundry, finally put away the Christmas decorations, and am trying to catch up with the backlog of things to do that have piled up over the past month. I've slowly been working my way through my emails, so if you wrote to me and I haven't responded yet, I apologize. I'll get back to you soon.
Tags: personal
At the time I had no way of knowing I wouldn't be back home for a month, but so it happened. I spent a good chunk of that time at the hospital, either sitting with dad or in a waiting room. I guess I could have blogged during those times when I was just sitting and waiting, but honestly I didn't feel much like it. I also didn't really feel like reading other blogs, or novels, or much of anything else either. I kept mom company, I used my laptop to do what I had to get done, read the newspaper and did the crossword puzzle, but that's pretty much it. That, and sat and thought.
One of the things that's immediately obvious is that when you enter the hospital your care is largely dependent on women. Most of the nurses are women, as are many of the physicians and surgeons. It makes me wonder how people who think that women are intellectually inferior or don't have a strong commitment to their careers are able to cope with the idea that their very lives are in the hands of women. Racists and xenophobes must have an even tougher time. At the world-class hospital where my dad has spent most of the past month, many on the medical staff are non-white and/or immigrants. Perhaps there are hospitals in the US staffed predominantly by white American men, but that's certainly not true at the hospitals I've seen.
It turns out I have biases too - I keep thinking that some of the doctors look way too young to be practicing. For some reason I fell like doctors should be older than I am - that was true when I was 20, but not so much now that I'm in my 40s. It's a bit silly, I know, and if I were sick I wouldn't complain if Doogie Howser showed up, as long as I received quality care.
So now dad has been transferred to a skilled nursing facility, and I've returned home, at least for a short while. I've done a big pile of laundry, finally put away the Christmas decorations, and am trying to catch up with the backlog of things to do that have piled up over the past month. I've slowly been working my way through my emails, so if you wrote to me and I haven't responded yet, I apologize. I'll get back to you soon.
Tags: personal
It's arrived!
I've spent the last few months in a swelter of Rudalls, Roses, Prattens, Cotters, Doyles, Cronnollys, McGees, Burns, and a list of other names. These are not in fact a list of pubs I frequented in my youth, but flutemakers.
Sometime in the last six months or so, I realised how much I miss music. I don't listen to much, or rather don't pay attention to the music that's played around me. Himself generally listens to Turkish folk music, Turkish pop is played as background music everywhere and the occasional English pop song pops up now and again.
As a kid I played piano, not very well, but I enjoyed it. Actually I enjoyed it more once I gave up lessons and began to play from sheet music I bought myself. I had a tin whistle too, bought after hearing a concert given in the Old Head Hotel in Louisburgh, Co Mayo (unless my memory is playing tricks, always a possibility). I'm not sure who the player was but I was fascinated. In school I learned recorder.
When the idea of playing again came up, the instrument had to be portable. It would be preferable to be something I could play Irish music on, remembering sessions in Falcarragh and also thinking of introducing the kids to Irish music. The Irish flute seemed to fit the bill. The sound is terrific, haunting or lively as you wish. I could use it for trad, or for songs, or even possibly for Turkish folk music.
So after researching for months I finally bought an anonymous flute off ebay. It's not made in Pakistan which is a plus. And I have to wait a little longer. It has arrived...in my parents house, so I'll wait and research until they visit in a month's time.
Sometime in the last six months or so, I realised how much I miss music. I don't listen to much, or rather don't pay attention to the music that's played around me. Himself generally listens to Turkish folk music, Turkish pop is played as background music everywhere and the occasional English pop song pops up now and again.
As a kid I played piano, not very well, but I enjoyed it. Actually I enjoyed it more once I gave up lessons and began to play from sheet music I bought myself. I had a tin whistle too, bought after hearing a concert given in the Old Head Hotel in Louisburgh, Co Mayo (unless my memory is playing tricks, always a possibility). I'm not sure who the player was but I was fascinated. In school I learned recorder.
When the idea of playing again came up, the instrument had to be portable. It would be preferable to be something I could play Irish music on, remembering sessions in Falcarragh and also thinking of introducing the kids to Irish music. The Irish flute seemed to fit the bill. The sound is terrific, haunting or lively as you wish. I could use it for trad, or for songs, or even possibly for Turkish folk music.
So after researching for months I finally bought an anonymous flute off ebay. It's not made in Pakistan which is a plus. And I have to wait a little longer. It has arrived...in my parents house, so I'll wait and research until they visit in a month's time.
It's arrived!
I've spent the last few months in a swelter of Rudalls, Roses, Prattens, Cotters, Doyles, Cronnollys, McGees, Burns, and a list of other names. These are not in fact a list of pubs I frequented in my youth, but flutemakers.
Sometime in the last six months or so, I realised how much I miss music. I don't listen to much, or rather don't pay attention to the music that's played around me. Himself generally listens to Turkish folk music, Turkish pop is played as background music everywhere and the occasional English pop song pops up now and again.
As a kid I played piano, not very well, but I enjoyed it. Actually I enjoyed it more once I gave up lessons and began to play from sheet music I bought myself. I had a tin whistle too, bought after hearing a concert given in the Old Head Hotel in Louisburgh, Co Mayo (unless my memory is playing tricks, always a possibility). I'm not sure who the player was but I was fascinated. In school I learned recorder.
When the idea of playing again came up, the instrument had to be portable. It would be preferable to be something I could play Irish music on, remembering sessions in Falcarragh and also thinking of introducing the kids to Irish music. The Irish flute seemed to fit the bill. The sound is terrific, haunting or lively as you wish. I could use it for trad, or for songs, or even possibly for Turkish folk music.
So after researching for months I finally bought an anonymous flute off ebay. It's not made in Pakistan which is a plus. And I have to wait a little longer. It has arrived...in my parents house, so I'll wait and research until they visit in a month's time.
Sometime in the last six months or so, I realised how much I miss music. I don't listen to much, or rather don't pay attention to the music that's played around me. Himself generally listens to Turkish folk music, Turkish pop is played as background music everywhere and the occasional English pop song pops up now and again.
As a kid I played piano, not very well, but I enjoyed it. Actually I enjoyed it more once I gave up lessons and began to play from sheet music I bought myself. I had a tin whistle too, bought after hearing a concert given in the Old Head Hotel in Louisburgh, Co Mayo (unless my memory is playing tricks, always a possibility). I'm not sure who the player was but I was fascinated. In school I learned recorder.
When the idea of playing again came up, the instrument had to be portable. It would be preferable to be something I could play Irish music on, remembering sessions in Falcarragh and also thinking of introducing the kids to Irish music. The Irish flute seemed to fit the bill. The sound is terrific, haunting or lively as you wish. I could use it for trad, or for songs, or even possibly for Turkish folk music.
So after researching for months I finally bought an anonymous flute off ebay. It's not made in Pakistan which is a plus. And I have to wait a little longer. It has arrived...in my parents house, so I'll wait and research until they visit in a month's time.
Something to do in your spare time
Hobbies have always been important in my family. They’ve always been something worth the effort. So Dad played tennis, and now plays golf too. He also volunteered in the tennis club as a barman for years. He gave up Sunday mornings for league matches, played in the evenings with friends and took part in table quizzes in the club. Apart from helping keep him fit, he also amassed a range of Waterford Crystal, pewter mugs, tennis balls, golf balls, sport socks and the odd bottle of wine from various competitions and raffles. Mam didn’t do much when we were young but then started playing tennis again, took up golf and bridge, and joined two choirs. As kids we played tennis, then took up hockey in secondary school, were in the brigeens and guides, and also played the piano and tin whistle. The whole family also went swimming once a week. Being social and active was something encouraged.
But while my sister and brother took up kayaking and climbing in college, I gave up hockey after my second year. And since then I haven’t had any hobbies. It’s not to say I haven’t been busy but between moving to Turkey, learning the language, being pregnant and raising young kids I haven’t had much time to devote to myself. I did start yoga when I was pregnant and have continued it to an extent, but it’s all self-taught with books and DVD’s (much like my Turkish actually!). And now I’m going to learn to play the Irish flute (more on that soon).
There’s another factor at play here though. My in-laws don’t have hobbies either, unless you count crocheting trousseau for themselves or their daughters. Any hobby would have to be done in the slivers of time allowed by the hazelnut farm and running the shop. Some of them are hunt occasionally, my nieces and nephews did some sports in school and some learned instruments but I don’t think any have continued past school. There is a sense that in general hobbies are for kids, not for adults, which could be generalized to Turkey in general. Hobbies require money and time, both of which have been in scarce supply for a lot of the population in the past. When every hour must be worked to put food on the table, when you don't have any spare time, hobbies tend to be neglected. That is slowly changing now, but the proportion of adults with hobbies is still lower than Ireland by a long shot.
This all leads to a slightly skewed view of hobbies and their value. A hobby which produces something useful is valued far higher than one that ‘just’ makes an individual happy. The end product has a definite value which makes it easier to justify spending money and time on doing it. A set of shelves is more worth than a flute in that regard.
I have slipped into this mindset sometimes, even though I don’t agree with it. Any activity that increases a person’s peace of mind is worth it. Whether that’s meditation, playing music, skiing, tennis, golf, hunting, blogging or building something, doesn’t matter.
A hobby’s greatest value is the fact that it helps us cope with stress and that is definitely worth the effort.
But while my sister and brother took up kayaking and climbing in college, I gave up hockey after my second year. And since then I haven’t had any hobbies. It’s not to say I haven’t been busy but between moving to Turkey, learning the language, being pregnant and raising young kids I haven’t had much time to devote to myself. I did start yoga when I was pregnant and have continued it to an extent, but it’s all self-taught with books and DVD’s (much like my Turkish actually!). And now I’m going to learn to play the Irish flute (more on that soon).
There’s another factor at play here though. My in-laws don’t have hobbies either, unless you count crocheting trousseau for themselves or their daughters. Any hobby would have to be done in the slivers of time allowed by the hazelnut farm and running the shop. Some of them are hunt occasionally, my nieces and nephews did some sports in school and some learned instruments but I don’t think any have continued past school. There is a sense that in general hobbies are for kids, not for adults, which could be generalized to Turkey in general. Hobbies require money and time, both of which have been in scarce supply for a lot of the population in the past. When every hour must be worked to put food on the table, when you don't have any spare time, hobbies tend to be neglected. That is slowly changing now, but the proportion of adults with hobbies is still lower than Ireland by a long shot.
This all leads to a slightly skewed view of hobbies and their value. A hobby which produces something useful is valued far higher than one that ‘just’ makes an individual happy. The end product has a definite value which makes it easier to justify spending money and time on doing it. A set of shelves is more worth than a flute in that regard.
I have slipped into this mindset sometimes, even though I don’t agree with it. Any activity that increases a person’s peace of mind is worth it. Whether that’s meditation, playing music, skiing, tennis, golf, hunting, blogging or building something, doesn’t matter.
A hobby’s greatest value is the fact that it helps us cope with stress and that is definitely worth the effort.
Something to do in your spare time
Hobbies have always been important in my family. They’ve always been something worth the effort. So Dad played tennis, and now plays golf too. He also volunteered in the tennis club as a barman for years. He gave up Sunday mornings for league matches, played in the evenings with friends and took part in table quizzes in the club. Apart from helping keep him fit, he also amassed a range of Waterford Crystal, pewter mugs, tennis balls, golf balls, sport socks and the odd bottle of wine from various competitions and raffles. Mam didn’t do much when we were young but then started playing tennis again, took up golf and bridge, and joined two choirs. As kids we played tennis, then took up hockey in secondary school, were in the brigeens and guides, and also played the piano and tin whistle. The whole family also went swimming once a week. Being social and active was something encouraged.
But while my sister and brother took up kayaking and climbing in college, I gave up hockey after my second year. And since then I haven’t had any hobbies. It’s not to say I haven’t been busy but between moving to Turkey, learning the language, being pregnant and raising young kids I haven’t had much time to devote to myself. I did start yoga when I was pregnant and have continued it to an extent, but it’s all self-taught with books and DVD’s (much like my Turkish actually!). And now I’m going to learn to play the Irish flute (more on that soon).
There’s another factor at play here though. My in-laws don’t have hobbies either, unless you count crocheting trousseau for themselves or their daughters. Any hobby would have to be done in the slivers of time allowed by the hazelnut farm and running the shop. Some of them are hunt occasionally, my nieces and nephews did some sports in school and some learned instruments but I don’t think any have continued past school. There is a sense that in general hobbies are for kids, not for adults, which could be generalized to Turkey in general. Hobbies require money and time, both of which have been in scarce supply for a lot of the population in the past. When every hour must be worked to put food on the table, when you don't have any spare time, hobbies tend to be neglected. That is slowly changing now, but the proportion of adults with hobbies is still lower than Ireland by a long shot.
This all leads to a slightly skewed view of hobbies and their value. A hobby which produces something useful is valued far higher than one that ‘just’ makes an individual happy. The end product has a definite value which makes it easier to justify spending money and time on doing it. A set of shelves is more worth than a flute in that regard.
I have slipped into this mindset sometimes, even though I don’t agree with it. Any activity that increases a person’s peace of mind is worth it. Whether that’s meditation, playing music, skiing, tennis, golf, hunting, blogging or building something, doesn’t matter.
A hobby’s greatest value is the fact that it helps us cope with stress and that is definitely worth the effort.
But while my sister and brother took up kayaking and climbing in college, I gave up hockey after my second year. And since then I haven’t had any hobbies. It’s not to say I haven’t been busy but between moving to Turkey, learning the language, being pregnant and raising young kids I haven’t had much time to devote to myself. I did start yoga when I was pregnant and have continued it to an extent, but it’s all self-taught with books and DVD’s (much like my Turkish actually!). And now I’m going to learn to play the Irish flute (more on that soon).
There’s another factor at play here though. My in-laws don’t have hobbies either, unless you count crocheting trousseau for themselves or their daughters. Any hobby would have to be done in the slivers of time allowed by the hazelnut farm and running the shop. Some of them are hunt occasionally, my nieces and nephews did some sports in school and some learned instruments but I don’t think any have continued past school. There is a sense that in general hobbies are for kids, not for adults, which could be generalized to Turkey in general. Hobbies require money and time, both of which have been in scarce supply for a lot of the population in the past. When every hour must be worked to put food on the table, when you don't have any spare time, hobbies tend to be neglected. That is slowly changing now, but the proportion of adults with hobbies is still lower than Ireland by a long shot.
This all leads to a slightly skewed view of hobbies and their value. A hobby which produces something useful is valued far higher than one that ‘just’ makes an individual happy. The end product has a definite value which makes it easier to justify spending money and time on doing it. A set of shelves is more worth than a flute in that regard.
I have slipped into this mindset sometimes, even though I don’t agree with it. Any activity that increases a person’s peace of mind is worth it. Whether that’s meditation, playing music, skiing, tennis, golf, hunting, blogging or building something, doesn’t matter.
A hobby’s greatest value is the fact that it helps us cope with stress and that is definitely worth the effort.
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