More books

A few more books I got to finish since last December.  Even though I've been home and lost the commute time on the train, I am happy to still get some reading done.

Moment of Lift, Melinda Gates

The Body, Bill Bryson

China Rich Girlfriend, Kevin Kwan

Rich People Problems, Kevin Kwan

Catch and Kill, Ronan Farrow

Pandora’s Lab, Paul Offit

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, Amy Chua

Becoming, Michelle Obama

Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain

Midnight in Chernobyl, Adam Higginbotham

There were some excellent reads in this bunch, but my favorite for the moment is Midnight in Chernobyl.  HBO ran a mini series about the events leading to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the the clean-up efforts with individuals who were directly involved.  This book delved deeper into the physics and chemistry behind nuclear reactors, the working Soviet people doing what they must, and the human stories of labor and sacrifice.  It was an absolutely fascinating read.

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom is an older book that had gotten a lot of publicity about 10 years ago.  Being Asian, I can totally relate to some of the anecdotes.  Bun Bun will be glad that I will not be putting what Amy Chua had done to practice.

Here's a few "fun" picture books.

The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables, Catherine Reid
Obama, an Intimate Portrait, Pete Souza
Shade, Pete Souza

I tell ya, reading about Michelle Obama and flipping through Pete Souza's coffee table books has given me a whole new perspective on the Obamas.  I have much greater respect for them.

I'm taking a short breaks from books for now.  The Genetics Society of America conference started today.  It was suppose to be held in Washington DC, and thousands of geneticists from around the world were expected in attendance.  A few weeks ago, the organizers canceled the in-person meeting and moved everything on line.  Presenters presented their work from the comforts of their homes to hundreds and thousands of participants listening in on their computers from the comforts of their homes.

Covid-19

That's the acronym of the year that has turned the whole world upside down.  Here in our local community, schools have closed, and everyone who is able has been working from home.  We have been asked to stay home in an attempt to slow the spread of this highly infectious virus.

Bun Bun hasn't been to school since March 11th.  Class rooms have moved on line via virtual chat rooms.  Bun Bun's marvelous teacher has been recording herself reading to her students everyday.  We see her for formal instructions at least twice a week.  Children in our state will not be returning to school for the rest of this academic year.  So, at home, I've been spending a lot of time helping Bun Bun with her school work and facilitate her OT, PT, and speech therapy sessions.  I'm glad I teach college students because I certainly don't have the knack for educating small children effectively.  Dear God, I pray that Bun Bun doesn't regress much and forget everything she has learned.

The lab I've been working in has shut down since March 18th.  The work there has continued virtually with reading & discussing journal articles, deeper analyses of data, and thinking and rethinking projects.  Our lab meets at 3 times a week just to connect and keep our minds sharp.

Now that the weather is warmer, we spend a lot of time outdoors.  I'm grateful to have a nice back yard where now we have hooked up a swing between 2 large trees for Bun Bun.  She's starting to outgrow her toddler house and slide.  We've dusted off her scooter and let her zip up and down the empty street with glee.

When we go beyond our home, we are required to wear masks when we go out to the community only for essential activities like grocery shopping.  All other non-essential businesses have closed.  Doctor's visits have been canceled or postponed unless it's life-threatening Covid-19 related.

How long this lasts is anybody's guess.  I saw on the news today that Wuhan locked down for 76 days.  I am afraid it'll be much longer for us.

The swing between 2 trees

Tutu dress on Scooter... the child loves to look beautiful!

I've taken up baking.  It's a way to make snacks and save a couple of trips out to the stores.  Here's tasty homemade bread that kind of looked like store-bought.