Girls Are Scientists, Too

My friend Tina at Raising Mommy is a scientist. I met her during the summer between junior and senior year of college, when we were both working as “spinners” at the chemistry lab at the local hospital. That meant we processed tubes of blood and other body fluids to ready them for their ordered tests. The spinning part was putting the tubes in a centrifuge. I was much less squeamish then.

We became fast friends and have stayed in touch ever since, although now we live a continent apart. I was so happy when she started her blog because as busy as life is, blogs help me keep tabs on her, and vice versa. She’s a gifted writer, and her stories about her two little girls are priceless.

I remember when we were younger we used to use the phrase “it’s not rocket science” or “it’s not brain surgery” and sometimes I feel those phrases rolling off my tongue in certain situations. But I always try to catch myself because now I have friends who are rocket scientists and if not brain surgeons, then at least ENT surgeons or neonatologists who work on fixing the tiniest of babies. Tina has become one of those people you read about when an article cites “scientists,” as in scientists say that the role of the SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase, SHP-2, in cell survival and cell growth“…is awesome!

A recent post on her blog reminded me of what a great role model she is for her two little girls. A working mother who followed her passion, who tiptoes on that fine line between guilt and accomplishment, and who is able to spot the little signs that it all seems to be working out fine so far. I dubbed this a “perfect post” – that link love contest run by a couple of popular bloggers in which we can celebrate the posts we think are so great. This is the first time I’ve done something like this, so indulge me won’t you? Visit her post and tell her how great it is, if you agree.