Replying to an Invitation to a Scientist’s Ball,

• Pierre and Marie Curie were radiating enthusiasm.
• Einstein thought it would be relatively easy to attend.
• Volta was electrified and Archimedes, buoyant at the thought.
• Ampere was worried he wasn’t up to current…

Well it is officially Day 2 in South Africa, and I think I am on my second wind of the day - no nap for me. I did wake up at 3am local time. No alarm clock, no outdoor noise, a peacefully sleeping roommate, and no nightmares. My body was telling me that it had slept for two days and it had enough rest. But I stuck it out, tossed and turned under my eye mask just so that I could try to acclimate internal clock. 

Repost from June 21, 2012

I think a month or so ago, I put in my order. I wanted mom’s baobao (steam buns with bbq pork, asian sausage, and mushrooms). I like mom’s baobaos the best because I get to choose what goes into them. I don’t usually like boiled eggs, sauce/filler, or green onions. Sometimes cilantro is a good surprise. Mom’s baobaos are the best! Tuesday night, mom started working on the filling - soaking mushrooms, cooking pork, chopping sausage. She got up early on Wednesday to get started on the steaming. By the time I woke up, the dining table had trays of steamed buns. With all that I had packed (my carry-on is super heavy with technology and emergency clothes), I had to navigate my treats very carefully - so only one dozen buns in a take-out container.