(As of March 24, 2001, addition on April 8, 2001, modified on April 14, 2001)
Hi, All!
My goal of this winter had been the 5-day cross-country skiing
trip in Colorado. To prepare for this trip, I had gone skiing a
few times in Tahoe and Yosemite area. I had been busy getting in
shape for the trip and buying necessary equipment. The trip was a
lot of fun, except for a day of horror. When we were trying to go
to a hut through a 12,000' pass, the weather got really nasty,
snowing with about 50 mph wind and 10 F temperature. We had
visibility of something like 10 feet. We got lost, and our water
froze. Even Jim and Anne, who went with me and who were more
experienced, were worried if we could find the hut. If we could
not, we would be stuck outdoor with the bad weather overnight
without water, which could be fatal. Fortunately, they found the
way, and we were lucky to be alive. (More story and photos to
come.)
I was assisting my boss on writing a proposal to build a better
mammography system before the trip. Mammography is a common
screening and diagnostic technique for breast cancer. Even though
the benefit of mammography screening is indisputable, the current
technique and device have shortcomings. For example, the x-ray
radiation is relatively high, and the accuracy is low. (Only 2
cases out of 10 suspicious mammography tests are actually
cancerous.) The proposed device can potentially reduce the
radiation dose to the patient and increase the accuracy. I hope
that this project will be funded, as many people who suffer from
the disease can benefit, if our proposed device is successful.
My promotion is coming along. At least I signed my part of the
paperwork. I am still waiting for the new visa to be approved.
Currently, I am in a little bit of pain with a piece of toe nail
removed to correct an in-growing toe nail. My doctor had told me
that it would heal in a couple of days, but I am still in pain
after 3 days. It is getting better, though, so hopefully, it will
be not long.
The spring has come. I am anxious to go out and play. :)
Love! Koji
[Addition on April 8, 2001]: My H-1 visa is approved, which
means that I can travel outside of US again. As it happened last
year, I was not able to travel to France. It was such an
inconvenience, and I am glad that I am off the restriction. My
visa approval also means that my promotion should go through. I
don't trust the process until I see the $$$, but it is promising.
My toe has finally shown significant improvement after 2.5 weeks.
Praises, comments, suggestions to [email protected].