Day -13: First Day of Unemployment

Technically, it's Saturday, but realistically, it's still Friday night. However, I thought "Day -14: Last Day in Lab" just didn't have the same ring.

My last day in lab started shortly after 8 AM. I actually went in early because I knew I had a ton to do. I found it somewhat fulfilling to throw out boxes and boxes of reagents that I've accumulated over the past few years. I managed to finish everything at 7 PM and headed over to Microsoft to pick up J. Today was also his last day working at the office and he'll start working remotely next monday!

We celebrated with dinner at a fancy Seattle restaurant. More on that later, but here are some pictures to document this historical day.

"Are you a doctor?"

Yesterday, I had my first encounter with this question. The dreaded question which I will be answering for the rest of my life. The question to which my answer will always be a let down for the person asking because the only reason why someone would ask if you are a doctor is if he/she thinks you can help with a medical need.

"I'm a Ph.D doctor."

"Oh."

Day -34: A wedding

I actually have a lot of reflections to write about after today's events, but it's already really late on the East Coast, so I will just post some pictures for now.

Current Location: Durham, NC

Day -39: Guest entry from my mom!

first, pay attention to in between dad's fingers,
next, the buffalo was use the stick to scratch his/her butt.
last, badlands.

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Today, my parents drove 575 miles from Jackson, MN to South Bend, IN via Chicago. I called them after they had checked into a motel in South Bend and my mom told me excitedly how they were going to eat fried rice tonight at a Chinese restaurant owned by a man from mainland China and whose wife is Malaysian. The fact that they're back near civilization probably means they'll at least get a decent meal tonight.

Current Location: Kirkland, WA

Day -40: Break out the ramen!

450 miles from Rapid City, SD to Jackson, MN via the Badlands National Park.


Today, my parents took a detour through the Badlands and somehow got lost on SR-240, a loop that starts and ends on I-90. I'll blame it on the GPS. After getting back on I-90, it started to rain really hard so they ducked into a local diner and apparently ate some of the nastiest "roast beef" ever. My Mom described it as "mushy boiled pork." I guess it finally put them over the edge 'cause guess what they're eating for dinner - RAMEN! Do I know my parents, or what!

Current Location: Kirkland, WA

Day -41: Can you hear me now?

My parents traveled over 715 miles from Missoula, MT to Rapid City, SD. Although Rapid City looks like a fair-sized town on Google maps, it is still so rural that my Mom couldn't find cell phone coverage to dial out. No word on the instant ramen. I still have faith....

Day -42: BubbleButt leaves home

After two false starts, my parents began their roadtrip back to Boston at around 10:30 AM PST. Seeing my car drive away brought back feelings of sadness similar to those that I felt when J and I moved out of our condo a few months ago. I had no idea that I had grown so attached to him!

Today, BubbleButt traveled 470 miles from our house to Missoula, Montana where my parents had their first encounter with mid-Western Americanized Chinese food. Apparently, the people out there confuse General Tsao (Gao) Chicken with Sesame Chicken. Before my parents left, I gave my Mom a secret stash of instant ramen and a hot water pot that I bought last minute at a 24 hr Walgreens. I bet her that at some point during the trip, my Dad will start talking about how he'd rather eat a bowl of instant ramen than go out to find a restaurant. Let's see if I'm right.

Current Location: Kirkland, WA