The week just past was pretty slack, not only for work but even for not blogging regularly. I was away for a meeting in an island outside the city. This is actually more of a get-together for a bunch of people from within the campus doing research in the same field. No no, don't get me wrong, no nitty gritty of the scientific content here except some interesting observations and thoughts discovered from this 2-day event.The event was held in a place specially catered for organization/companies retreat. Yes I know no big deal. But the most exciting bit was a well-known old female professor became my neighbour. I know I might sound a bit exagerating here. So what professors and academic smarties are everywhere. But this is a bit extraordinary. Can you imagine an extremely well-known old professor (even highly respected amongst other professors) became a student's neighbour? I checked in and carried my bag to my room. After that I opened my door and nearly slammed on someone standing just right outside the entrance. The funny bit was I didn't even realize I was so close in hitting her thus I wasn't even apologising. Man, I would sure become "well-known" the next day if she's injured.
Old Prof: I'm sorry. *Huh, why did she apologise?*
Me: Oh...
Old Prof: I was looking for my key and didn't realize you were coming out. I'm sorry. *OMG, I should be the one to apologise.*
Me: Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were standing here. Are you all right?
Old Prof: Don't worry, I'm all right. *warm genuine smile*
The old professor and her husband, who's also a very famous old professor are one of the highly respected people in the university. Both are at my grandparents' age yet they are still so youthful and still dedicating their lives towards science. They are well respected not only because of their career achievements (I thought so initially) but rather their amiableness. What makes me said so?
During breakfast, Mrs L (the senior scientist expecting her forth child, refer Baby Booom) and I picked the window seats for better viewings of the sea. Just when we were about to indulge our hunger pangs, the Old Prof came to us and asked politely whether she could join us. 2 more famous professors joined us shortly. Wow, that's so flattering. Man, having breakfast with 3 professors. Mrs L was giggling about that.
The food was no doubt fantastic. I haven't had such enjoyable breakfast moment for a long long while with people I don't know. This one really made me leaving feeling thrilled still. Old Prof was so fun to talk to. She and Mrs L really made a good combination. Throughout the conversation (covering many topics), I was surrounded by warmth, laughters and some familiar feeling that I only get when I talk to my maternal grandmother.
Old Prof: I have 3 grandchildren and 4 children. They're all very smart and my husband and I are very proud of them.
Mrs L: Is any of them scientist?
Old Prof: No in fact they are in a totally different profession only my daughter is a medical doctor. My eldest son is .....It has been really tough for them. It's especially tough for them when they were at school because the teachers would refer them as "So-and-so's children". But they are so smart and they made their way all by themselves. *the proud mother look*
Mrs L: I think it's really difficult for the children if they have brilliant parents. It's easier for the grandchildren to have brilliant grandparents. That's why my children are lucky because they don't have such brilliant parents. *lol*
No matter how successful Old Prof is in her career, she's still a mother and grandmother to her kids and her grandchildren. Like every parents, she's so proud of her own kids' achievements and wanted to tell everyone about them. How adorable.
Old Prof: You need to try this kiwi. It's extremely good for you (pregnant women). It's supposed to be most Vitamin C rich amongst all fruits.
Mrs L: Oh really? I'll get some later.
Old Prof: No no, you sit down. I'll get it for you.
Mrs L: Wow, I feel so bad to make a 80yo old professor to fetch me kiwi. Thanks to my "pillow" (she has been joking that she has inserted a pillow to pretend she's pregnant).
Me: Oh yeah, your "pillow" has definitely made her mamma proud. *lol*
Later that day, Old Prof's husband, Prof GK arrived and gave the highlight review lecture. Needless to mention everyone was paying attention to his lecture. Prof GK always demonstrated his enthusiasms in his field. Seriously I doubt my passions in research if I were at his age. I don't think I would have so much energy and interest to care so much about improving science for mankind. Most likely I would be engrossed into my egoistical needs such as getting attention from my family. Another thing worth mentioning is Prof GK is such a humble scholar. Despite being the expert in this field, throughout his lecture, he kept emphasizing that he's still learning at this stage. "These few years, I'm only beginning to find out from others that ......" "Recently I've only starting to understand that .....". Prof GK could be haughty and boastful in his lecture and that would still be appropriate since he's such a big guy out there. But he didn't. His meekness in acquiring new knowledge through others still is indubitably making him highly respected and successful.
The 2-day meeting was certainly not only about the panorama of science. It has certainly provided me positive outlooks. Now I'm back to the civilised world flooded with deadliness. I didn't even get a single task sorted out during the weekend. In fact I have been feeling restless and groaning due to my stomach upset.
Me: Dr, I think I have food poisoning.
TF: What did you eat?
Me: Could be my breakfast.
TF: Go home and rest. Eat some rice and drink more water and take an afternoon nap. If you don't get any better, better go to the ER.
Me: ............
Was TF giving a professional medical advice? Well, probably not, at least not the eating rice part. Ok, can't blame him coz he's just an oncologist and not a GP. *lol* Argh, I just want to go back to the island of laughter, good food and beautiful scenary! And I really miss my grandma who always took care of me when I was sick at home.
♥ every page of my imagination
