ProgeNIA

A five-year, $5 million international research initiative funded by the National Institute on Aging could help scientists unravel the underlying genetic processes involved in certain age-related traits and diseases.

The ProgeNIA project will focus on Sardinia, an isolated Mediterranean island where historically there has been little immigration. As a result, most inhabitants share common ancestors and have inherited many of the same genetic traits. The interrelatedness of this population should simplify the identification of genes involved in age-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

“With this project we want to study aging, and in particular to identify genes involved in the development of several pathophysiological conditions typical of old age,” said David Schlessinger, Ph.D., chief of the NIA's Laboratory of Genetics. “The Sardinian population, thanks to its genetic patrimony, can make a fundamental contribution to the understanding of human biology.”

So, our annual meeting just finished, and our team has come up with lot's of results. The U.S. NIH has sponsored this project called ProgeNIA

The team has "Uncovered a New Piece to the Puzzle of Human Height"
discovered genes involved in Asthma and in β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease.

Here I am with Prof. David Schlessinger
Our NIH Coordinator.

If you would like to se more pictures go to My facebook page here.

INDONESIA 2008

Here are some pictures of our 2008 Bali Indonesia Vacation, If you would like to see more pictures and comments please go to my facebook album here.

Don't want the junk!

I found this site interesting:

http://www.breakthechain.org/

It's true"The more junk you send, the more you will get."

Music

OK, enough of the Barbie stuff! Haha! Yesterday night my boyfriend and I went to see NOFX in concert. A mile stone for me! I remember the first time I saw them at SOMA in San Diego. I must have been 15 years old! Back then they were an emerging band, but now they're like the n°3 punk-rock group. I know I know, some of you are wondering "what? punk rock?" but yes, the group means something to me (even if I don't see eye to eye with some of the lyrics). It was funny to see all the people in the middle moshing, I had not seen a mosh pit in 15 years! But any how, it was fun and tht's the important thing.
Next concert is a piano concert TOTALLY different! the composer's name is Giovanni Allevi, go check his music out because it is sooo inspiring and beautiful. My favorite composition is " come sei veramente" (the way you really are) here is his myspace url http://www.myspace.com/giovanniallevi

Another great Italian composer is Ludovico Enaudi and my favorite is "I Giorni" (the days)
http://www.myspace.com/ludovicoeinaudi

Music has always been a part of my life. And I often stop and wonder if .... had I stayed in the US would my musical career have grown? I have been gifted with a strong voice, and love to use it to sing. While I was in Jr. High and first year of High School I was awarded in my bel-chant ensemble class and was chosen for the San Diego county Honor Choir. A great honor. My choir class loved to put on musicals and I always nailed an import lead! I was so sad the year I decided to leave for Italy, we had been preparing "Little Abner" and was not able to finish the rehearsals nor was I able to put on the show. My teacher (Mr. Salter) always told me that I had a "Disney musical voice, loud and clear"..... I would have loved to have pursued a musical career, but sometimes family comes first. I am very happy to be in Italy, and am very happy and blessed to have met my boyfriend Enrico and his wonderful family. I can still sing under the shower!! ;) Enrico likes to hear me sing and always joins in on Christmas carols! Our personal favorite: "Rudolph the red-nose reindeer"
My friends with small children always appreciate when I get their kids to fall asleep, and my favorite song to whisper to them is "Give said the little stream" you can sing it over and over again and babies love to fall asleep to it!

I guess that's a big enough talent and accomplishment in life... to put kids to sleep, and I'm just fine with that!

XOXO

Barbie California

I know that I'm too old to be playing with Barbies but, I just love those dolls! Funny how I started a small collection. One Easter Enrico bought me a Barbie Doll as a gift. It was Barbie California (how appropriate huh?!!) She is the cutest ever because se actually has toes with pink nail polish on them, smells like tanning oil and is tan! Enrico said it remind him of me. Since I am soo petite, he calls me "his little barbie" and gives me and my outfits names as well (such as barbie pic-nic when I wear my checkered dress, or barbie gran gala when I wear my evening gowns) I thinks it's funny and cute! Ever since that first barbie he just keeps on buying me more whenener he sees one that reminds him of me! So far I have 5, that for an almost 30 year-old is plenty!


Kids eat your heart out ;)

















Barbie California












Barbie Trave & Fun (I actually have a pink suit case!)
Barbie Pic-Nick

Prince Stinky

So this is our cat "Stinky". We gave him this name because on the ride from my Mom's house to our house, Mr. Stinky got a little scared and poo-pooed his crate. Since Stinky is a long-haired cat, I will let imagine what condition he was in when I pulled him out from the poo-pooed crate! Enrico and I had to give him a bath that night, and ever since have called him Stinky Cat. We love to play with him and he loves to play with us. He actually plays fetch! He has chosen some of the most unusual toys such as the kitchen spoonge. He loves for us to through the spoonge for him across the dining room! He'll go after it and BRING IT BACK FOR MORE! I couldn't believe it when he did it the first time (I've never known cats to do such a thing, I thought only dogs did it) After he brought the spoonge back the first time I tried again, again and again and low and behold each time he would bring it back. Now he does the same thing with his other toys, but his absolute favorite remains the kitchen spoonge! Go figure! :-o

Will Summer Ever Begin?

I'm trying my best to understand this blog stuff. I was so used to myspace and facebook that it actually takes me a minute to have to try and figure something new out! I'm not much of a writer but I love to scrapbook. In fact, I'm just putting a few scraps together of our last trip to Indonesia. Maybe I can scan a few and post those as well....

Anyhow, Summer here in Italy seems like it never wants to begin. Usually I start going to the beach around the end of April but, this year has just been weired! My mom and step-dad bought a sail boat recently and my boyfriend and I haven't been able to go on a week end out and about with them since the weather has just been so strange. I really hope that it starts to get better because I am meteo-patic. I NEED the sun to function!

Here's a pix of Enrico in 2006, sportin' his "sailor look" I think he looks sooo cute ;)