Singapore: Day 13

On Thursday, I spent the day shadowing Jian. He had finished his immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and was using the confocal microscope to visualize the DNA, proteins, tubulin, etc. (he's studying the role of certain proteins in cell division.) I had a chance to learn how to use the confocal microscope as well as a good amount about cell division, biology in general, life, etc. He told me that he is trying to teach me everything step by step, and that I'd learn very much if I spent a year with him because he is so adamant about guiding me. Definitely a most interesting and kind postdoc! I must include another accidentally inspirational quote from him: "What you think is not the truth." This was his reply to my question about data interpretation and shows how wise he is through his vague answers.

I left work a bit earlier to attend a dinner with the coordinators and other recipients of the Gilman Scholarship. I applied for and won an international scholarship funded by the government, which has definitely eliminated the costliness of studying abroad. Two coordinators for this program were in Singapore for the Global Internships Conference and contacted us for interviews and a dinner at Jacks Place, an Italian restaurant located in Great World City. The journey to the restaurant was treacherous, but I'm glad I had a chance to meet everyone.

Appetizer #1: Escargot

Appetizer #2: Calamari

New Zealand Silver Fern Farms Centre Cut Striploin Steak

 I ordered the steak because I was curious about the New Zealand tag and I also have been craving Western food lately. However, Western food in Singapore has proven to be disappointing thus far.

Group picture with the Gilman Scholars (middle) and coordinators (right and left)

After dinner, we took the taxi to Marina Bay Sands, which is a resort located in Marina Bay. It has a mall, casino, hotel, garden, and probably most famously beautiful light shows! A group of my friends had headed there earlier that night to grab dinner and relax after work, and I met up with them after my dinner event. By the time I arrived, most of them were in the casino. Interestingly, the gambling age here is 21 while the drinking age is 18; such a strange discrepancy! Most of the group was 21/21+ , so that left James and I to wander around the mall because we were not 21 yet. Here are some pictures from our wanderings:

Inside the mall

Water outside collects into this bowl...

... and falls into this pool inside the mall!

Stunning view of the city!

The level of security to get into the casino

Apparently, Singapore is very strict with gambling. Only foreigners can gamble freely while Singaporean citizens must pay a large sum, and those who want to engage in this activity must bring their passports as identification and have them scanned for legitimacy. Definitely very peculiar. Although we could not go into the casino, we had a good time exploring. We met up with the others later and journeyed back home, all the while joking loudly on the MRT and warranting strange glances by the locals. It was a productive first week of work, and next week will be when I will truly get down to business. I have safety training all-day on Monday and a safety quiz on Tuesday morning, and afterward I will get down to the heart of my research project!