Mitochondrial Eve

In gradeschool. I learned something about the “missing link” in the possibility of tracing the evolution of humanity. I was very interested in actually learning a lot about our “ancestors” and how they have evolved into the beings that we are right now. I have always believed in the existence of Adam and Eve not only because of the bible, but also because I interpret the Adam and Eve that we’re talking about as humans who are related to everyone on earth. It’s quite fascinating to know that it is very possible for us to actually trace who our own Eve is and to know where we came from. In reading an essay by Krishna Kunchithapadam, she pointed out the importance of knowing that the mitochondrial eve that we’re actually looking for today is only the Mitochondrial Eve of our generation.

I think it’s very important for us to understand that the Eve that we’re looking for is not an all-encompassing Eve who was the first woman on earth (if she really existed). Kunchithapadam put in the statement, "She is the most-recent common ancestor of all humans alive on Earth today with respect to matrilineal descent. … While each of us necessarily has two parents, we get our mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA from the ovum (and hence from our mothers). Our mothers got their mitochondrial DNA from their mothers and so on. Thus, while our nuclear DNA is a mish-mash of the DNA of our four grandparents, our mitochondrial DNA is an almost exact copy of the DNA of our maternal grandmother (the match may not be exact due to mutations. In fact, the mutations in the mitochondrial DNA provide the molecular clock that allows us to determine how much time has elapsed since the ME lived).The ME represents that woman whose mitochondrial DNA (with mutations) exists in all the humans now living on Earth. That does not mean that she is our lone woman ancestor. We have ancestors who are not via matrilineal descent. For example, our father's mother (who did pass on her mitochondrial DNA to her daughters) is an example of an ancestor who is not matrilineal to us. However, she did exist at one time and was probably of the same age as our mother's mother, who is a matrilineal ancestor of ours and from whom we got our mitochondrial DNA.”.

It may sound surreal, but it’s actually proven mathematically so there’s no reason for me not to believe it. Ang astig e! Apir!

Fred Hoyle

“The transformation from wild terror to calmness seems entirely magical … the bird watches you with a bright eye … you throw up your arms and release the bird, and away it soars. I feel it should be like that with ideas.” -Hoyle

Fred Hoyle’s story is a classic example of how unpredictable life is, no matter who you are or whatever your profession might be. It’s also an example of how in one’s lifetime, you may have achieved numerous things and may have contributed to the society in very positive ways, but in the end they will remember you for the things you did wrong. Think of the inkblot on a blank paper. Thinking of the role of scientists in science, it made me realize that they serve as mere catalysts. They ignite interest in a particular field and they try to find out as much as they can. If they are able to achieve what other people think as a scientific breakthrough then they are given attention. Still, you can easily make a fool out of yourself by announcing a hypothesis not backed up by scientific proof that will sway the stubborn minds of the majority. Scientists are mere instruments and even if you may have contributed more in the study of a certain field, if you didn’t get into the bottom of things, then you’re not gonna be as honored and respected as the one who was able to explain it in detail.

I believe that scientists have the freedom to express whatever they believe in, may it be their discovery or results of their intensive studies. They should still remember that they have the responsibility not only as scientists but even as human beings to be as truthful and as accurate as they can be. The pressure’s greater because since a scientist is dealing with something scientific, his claims should be as precise as it can possibly be.

Quoting something from an article I read online.. “What made Fred Hoyle such a fascinating figure in big-time cosmology was that he combined the accomplishments and understandings of the century’s elite - think Einstein, Bohr, Feynman - with proposals associated with cranks. In mainstream science, he helped construct one set of theories that looks spectacularly right, and another set that looks just as spectacularly wrong.” As expected, he was remembered for the spectacularly wrong things he exposed. But then again, “The heroes of 20th century cosmology have all had their quirks. Einstein famously rejected quantum theory. Feynman was a wild man. Stephen Hawking recently recommended that human genetic engineering should proceed because otherwise robots may take over the world. Of one thing we may be certain: the Universe is much stranger than the quirks of the cosmologists who attempt to explain it.”

Wow, I wrote this a few years ago.

Hey,

This is weird. I did say I’ll send you an email right? Lemme start by saying thank you for the phone conversations, the time you spared or uhmm, wasted talking to me. you have to believe me that I do appreciate it so much. We’ve only known each other for a short period of time but I guess you’re one of those people who managed to influence me and made me think, even intimidated me. Not a lot of them see what you see, or uhmm, maybe they do…but not a lot of people are courageous enough to point these things out straight to my face.

It may seem like I don’t mean most of the words I say, or that I don’t take you seriously or that I’m plain shallow and stubborn and I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry if at times I’m just a bore or a pain in the ass. I’m sorry if I call you and never talk. You must understand that I cherish even the silence that we shared. You are a dear friend, you make me laugh. Yeah, I have to give you credit for that, you DO make me laugh. At times, I would remember something you said and I’ll just smile. It may look like I don’t pay attention but I guess it’s just me. my defense mechanism, I’m still scared ‘coz I don’t really know you.

I know you remember me saying that I’m not used to opening up. I don’t even confide to my closest friends. My pride, I guess. I do pay attention, I do keep in mind the things you say. I sometimes try to recall how it all started, how we became the (I’d like to think) close friends that we are right now, but it just frustrates me because I don’t really know. I remember you saying that “for all we know, maybe it’s gonna stop when school starts”. You changed the topic and didn’t dwell on the idea, I pretended that I didn’t hear it..but I did. Im scared that we’re drifting apart, I’m scared that maybe we got close for convenience, or because we didn’t have a choice. I don’t really need assurance, I’m not in the position to ask for that. I’m still going to fulfill my part of the friendship anyway.

You worry me, it’s as if you live for pain. I DO WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY. I do want you to get a job. I wish you’ll find what it is you’re looking for. I wish you’ll stop getting frustrated and that the people around you, your friends’ll stop disappointing you. I wish they start fulfilling their promises. Don’t lose faith in them ‘coz they need your faith. I’m sorry if I can’t really say these things in person, must be my pride… that’s why I’m a writer. It’s true, you predicted it right, I really am missing you. I miss talking to you ‘til morning and I miss having you around. I miss your straightforward remarks / diagnosis of my depressing personality. I miss you and I dunno if I should even be saying this or writing this letter.

I’m sorry if I may have burdened you or made life a li’l harder, a li’l complicated, a li’l irritating for you. Thank you, I wish I can give you a hug right now. I’m sorry if I cant be the “comforting arm” while you are sleeping that you’ve dreamed about for 2 consecutive nights. You take care ok? I believe in you, you can be the “bum” or the “professional”, it doesn’t make much of a difference. You’re a buddy. Gotta run,, I’ll bump into you next time. I hope.

Smilin’,
Eunee =)

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i omitted some parts. Natuwa lang ako na naka-save pala sa pc ko ito.

Just So You Guys Know.

Looking at my chipped nail polish makes me wonder...
how on earth did I survive 21 years of insanity?

If I Die…

I want my wake to be 5 days.

Day 1 - Book Launching
Day 2 - Poetry Reading
Day 3 - Eulogy-making contest
Day 4 - Film Showing [L'appartement]
Day 5 - Mini - concert / gift-giving

We All Are Different, We All are Heaven- Sent

me and my highschool friends leids, mir, anne and mary ann Circa 2001 (@ retreat)

We all are different, we all are heaven-sent.
We have our names, we like different games.

We have our names, we like different games.
What we find funny, some might find silly.

What we find funny, some might find silly.
What we love dearly, some might find ugly.

What we love dearly, some might find ugly.
People sometimes fight on whoever’s right.

People sometimes fight on whoever’s right.
People sometimes cry and we never know why.

People sometimes cry and we never know why.
A lot of things happen, like changes that are sudden.

A lot of things happen, like changes that are sudden.
You may feel little but don’t be afraid to mingle.

You may feel little but don’t be afraid to mingle.
If things aren’t perfect, be thankful for what you get.

If things aren’t perfect, be thankful for what you get.
Life is God’s gift, it’s for us to love and keep.

Life is God’s gift, it’s for us to love and keep.
We all are different, we all are heaven-sent.

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I wrote this for my Poetry for Children class in UP, i think. And as far as I can remember, i was told that children won't understand such intangible statements. I still think children will understand.
But i didnt pass it to be graded. Mahirap na. Hehe.

HAIKU Melendez [Tryin to be funny..]

The leaves so graceful
Wind blowing and whispering
So peaceful and free

Dehydrated

I have deprived myself of water.
Anything flowing, moist or glistening
awakens an inexplicable sense of rage,
confusion, longing.
My dry, flaky skin almost powdered
To its shame reminds me of sand;
Every strand of hair has a story infinite in number
Never a panacea.

Did you deliberately die to mock me?
I imagine you to be caressing her,
Holding on to her like some immortal,
Whose touch you have blissfully anticipated.
She has stolen your last breath, like
Taking away the last cookie in my cookie jar.
You gasped with her, drowned with her,
Together, you moaned, never halted, just died.

I could have choked you with a pillow and
Let you wither on our lucrative water bed,
You should’ve told me you wanted to die like that.
I would have stabbed you while we’re exploring
each other, Taking a shower
with bodies entwined
Lubricated by water gushing out,
suds all over.
I would’ve put poison in your coffee and
Let it sip away what superficial life
You have forced me to live.

I thought WE lived,
You have nourished me, rained on me;
Only to suck whatever was flowing inside of me.
Saliva, urine, blood -contaminated.
Poison seeping through.
Forcing its way through my
semi-permeable membrane.

I have deprived myself of water,
Your presence haunts me and your laughter
Has continuously mocked my faith
In a life which you have mindlessly
destroyed and wasted.
I have deprived myself of water,
not because it drowned you but because
it exposed the mud behind what seemed to be something pure.
I have deprived myself of water,
By doing so, I am able to celebrate
Your death.
For I will die not because of water
and its existence,
Only due to lack thereof.

Ang Nasasakdal

I was browsing through my old stuff and I found this poem I wrote when I was a kid.
Ang creepy ko, talagang korte ang subject ng tula ko.

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Kay ingay ng paligid mga salitang nanginginig
Pangungutya, pagkamuhi, galit para sa akin
Oo! Ako ang nasasakdal ang nasasakdal na binabalot ng dilim
Ang nasasakdal na kalaban ng mundo, mag-isa walang kasama
Nasaan sila, sila na inaasahan ko, pinagkakatiwalaan ko?
Wala, naglaho kasama ng taong aking pinaslang.
Nalibing sa impyerno!
Oras na! Oras na upang ipahayag ko sa mundo ang aking pighati,
Ang katotohanan, naging bulag silang lahat!
Mga stupida!

Natahimik ang lahat, walang ingay,
at dahil sa katahimikang Iyon ay napagtanto ko,
panalo ako.
ANG NASASAKDAL.

ALL I HAVE ARE CONCEPTS.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the titles of the stories that I will (though i have no idea exactly when) write in the future. Drumroll please!!! [Chick Lit ito. OO]

Overweight, Overwait.

A balanced diet + a balanced lifestyle = a perfect life.
A pretty simple formula, but who says too much of everything is bad?

Serial dater

The wannabe writer's journey of finding that final victim who will eventually imprison her in the bliss that committed love has to offer.

The Romantic Cynic
A law student explores her attitude about relationships because she’s been like a pendulum, trying to find love but scaring love all at the same time.

Secrets of the Week (from POSTSECRET)

Global Espionage

"Not only must contractors protect sensitive information from global espionage, but corporate espionage has also become a concern,"
--Lieske (Wireless NewsFactor)

In a world where almost everything is “wired” (literally and figuratively), espionage has become one of the unavoidable repercussions. Simple spying has been very common that it’s quite possible that you’re near a hacker in certain occasions. It’s a very big concern because if there’s something that we should be worried about, it’s our security. It has been a question of human rights when criminals are arrested because their phones were tapped, but if someone’s phone is being tapped, when do you draw the line between it’s necessity and urgency and taking advantage of technology? I think in Global Espionage, it’s not only about warfare, it’s about intellectual property rights, even closed door facts which are not meant to be exposed. Just like “Stealth” or Invisibility attained by aircrafts, it’s a saddening fact that people had to invent such ways to spy and that we all have to protect ourselves from being unaware victim.

With technology comes great responsibility, there will always be opportunity costs to technological advances. I know that we have to live with that fact, but when is it time to say it’s enough?