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Perfect Pitch

Do you, or someone you know, have perfect pitch? Want to find out? At the Human Genetics meeting last month, I met a researcher studying the genetics of perfect pitch and hearing. She is still looking for people to participate in her study.

For more information on participating, or if you just want to take the test to see if you have perfect pitch, check out her research website.

Melissa Davis

My friend and coworker, Melissa Davis, died last night at age 27. After four months working in our office, two months of symptoms, and two weeks of marriage to Phillip, she was diagnosed with rapidly progresive metastatic lung cancer. Last night, her family decided, in accoradance with her wishes, to withdraw life support.

She was an excellent genetic counselor. Melissa was smart and knew so much about genetic diseases and the testing available. She knew when to stand on her own and when to ask for help. Melissa was also a hard worker and efficent, always managing to finish her work early and have extra time to help others. The only thing Melissa had a hard time with was giving bad news. As a recent graduate, she had never given bad news before. She seemed very hesitant to tell parents about their baby's problem. The couple times she did have to make the call, she tried to find ways out of it, or have other people call for her. She really seemed to hate to bring pain to others.

Melissa was also a good friend. She was generous and outgoing. She invited me to go backpacking with her- although we were never able to go through with our plans. Even through her illness, she was always upbeat and positive. Unlike most other human beings, she never had a bad word or complaint about anyone. She wouldn't get dragged into our office gossip or whining. She also was a great story teller. There seemed to be no end to all the funny people she had met or the interesting things she'd experience, and she was happy to share these stories.

Melissa, you made me remember how fleeting life is. How bad things can happend to great people. How we should live each day to the fullest. You will be sorely missed.

Abuyudaya Jews of Uganda

Last weekend when I was down in LA, I had the opportunity to attend Shabbat services at my parents' Temple, BCC. I was in luck because that night a student rabbi, Gershom Sizomu, was the guest speaker.

Gershom is a from a group of 600 Jews living in Uganda who call themselved Abayudaya. It was trully refreshing to hear this African Jew talk about his community's history, his personal Jewish experience and how he plans to be ordained here in order to bring learning and contact with the larger Jewish community back to Uganda.

Wedding Website

Take a look at our updated wedding website.

ASHG

I've spent the last few days in Los Angeles attending the American Society of Human Genetics annual conference. It was pretty educational. Amoungst many other things, I got to learn about updates on the human genome project, new research on the genetic basis of alcohol and drug addiction, and new methods on educating patients about genetic risks in their family. I also got a chance to rendez-vous with some collegues and old friends.
Eventhough I stayed in Glendale at my parents' house, I never acutally saw them. My mom and dad are enjoying a three week adventure holiday in New Zealand. I'm so envious.