The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

Picture from http://www.amazon.com/Immortal-Life-Henrietta-Lacks/dp/1400052173/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294451149&sr=8-1

This is my first read for 2011.

Wow! This book made me think. It does so with a compelling story paralleled by the scientific advances.

We recently went to the Civil Rights Museum. So, I started the book purely focusing on the potential acts of discrimination whether they were racial and/or economical. Further into the book, the scientist in me marveled at how revolutionary the HeLa cells were and still are. By the end, I appreciated the insight and was extremely grateful to the Lacks family.

Scientific research is necessary. Thank you, HeLa!

New Bike::New Pedals

Pumpkin got a new bike for Christmas.

It's got LOOK pedals.

We had a few minutes of okay weather and Pumpkin got to try it all out.

We'll need to adjust the handle bars a bit.

But, he is just about good to go...when the weather cooperates.

There will be no way to keep up with him now!

Buddy Picture

Peanut took the best picture of the puppy dog. He took it on his new iPod.


Who needs a fancy schmancy camera?

Silly New Year's Eve Photos

More fun (after the champagne) with Peanut's iPod using the reverse camera feature. Too cool!

National Civil Rights Museum

It is always nice when family comes in. It makes us be tourists in our own city.

On Thursday, we visited the National Civil Rights Museum. I've wanted to go for some time and this visit did not disappoint. The museum is at the Lorraine Motel, the site of MLK's assasination.

They say pictures are only permitted in front of this scuplture. I tried to look up more info on the sculpture, but did not find out anything after a quick search.

Here is my sister's family~

Here is my family~

We took the audio tour. It was informative. There is so much to read. You could spend hours there - until your brain goes into overload! I kept having to remind myself that this all happened close to the year I was born. In lots of ways, we've made lots of progress with equality. In other ways, it seems like there are still some challenges to overcome.

I agree with MLK's peaceful approach. If peace would shine in 2011, we'd all be better off!

New Year's Eve 2010

A little video recorded on Peanut's iPod after just a few glasses of champagne~



Buddy made himself at home with the boys:)

Pumpkin stayed up later last night. Buddy climbed on his bed and snuggled in making it difficult for Pumpkin to get to bed. Love it!

Shaving

No more peach fuzz for Pumpkin.

He'll kill me when he reads this, but I wanted to document it.

My boy is becoming a man...