Artiscence

 I went to San Jose, California to attend a conference. But while there, I had loads of fun with my colleagues and friends. After all, " all work and no play .... ". You get the idea. San Jose is not too big and the surrounding area is easily accessible by train. So the first "non-academic" event was simply strolling around the area.  I had to present my work the next day. The presentation was in the form of a poster presentation. I had presented this before and I am quite familiar with my work, so I was not apprehensive. Also my dear friend and (senior) colleague was there and getting feedback from her was definitely good. After the presentations, I enjoyed a well-earned rest sipping drinks at the hotel bar with friends. I do not drink much but the company was divine and I couldn't refuse when the bar guy concocted what looked and almost tasted like lemonade but burns a little while going down the esophagus. :)  The next day

Grandiose! I've been looking for a word to describe the majestic mansions of Newport, RI. And grandiose fits the bill perfectly. Funny enough, I didn't take as much pictures as I would have love to. I was in Newport for a conference (the New England Society of Toxicology. It was my first NE-SOT conference since joining a toxicology lab) and I was giving a presentation so I didn't exactly gallivant about like a giddy tourist. I have to go back sometime, just to gallivant about like a giddy tourist. ;).                                                      Newport, RI is beautiful.

This is Ochre Court in Newport Rhode Island. The first mansion I ever stepped into. Although it is now used as part of Salve Regina University admin offices and events space, it still hold its grandiose in every way. The inside look rich and formidable. The outside has an expanse that will probably house half a dozen small buildings. It was a windy day, but the view was still very impressive. The court has an amazing garden (if I can call it that). It is well-kept and overlooks the ocean. There's a Cliff Walk along the building and garden. The New England Society of Toxicology (NE-SOT) Conference was held in Newport and the students poster presentation was held in Ochre court. It was quite distracting actually. I spent half the time marveling at the detailed ceiling paintings (you'll see why in a moment) and the other half trying to explain my research to other students and principal investigators. In this amazing room, I was told stories of