Sunday, January 12, 2014

In Revolutionary Mode


On November 22nd Ukrainians began a wave of protests opposing the sudden decision of their government to scrap an association agreement with the European Union. On the night of November 30th, an unprecedented in Ukrainian history event took place: riot police greatly outnumbering peaceful protesters, who were mostly students, violently beat and brutalized the crowd under the excuse of clearing the square of Independence (Maidan) to set up the Christmas tree (known as "yolka" from then on). This action served to further increase the momentum of the protest movement Euromaidan, driving huge numbers of people to protest against the corrupt and criminal government that it currently in power in Ukraine.

I've been completely absorbed by EuroMaidan since the very beginning. It has completely changed the fabric of Ukrainian society, as well as Ukrainians around the world, myself included. We have become witnesses to a very important historic change in Ukraine. I couldn't just be the observer. Neither could I drop everything and go to Ukraine. I decided to work here, in NYC, and do my best with spreading the information, getting attention of the American government, helping with translations, participating in protests, and now contributing to a long-term strategy to help bring Ukraine closer to Europe and the rest of the free world.

EuroMaidan has consumed a lot of my life. And I see it as my moral obligation to do everything I can here to support and help my fellow countrymen standing in frigid temperatures at Maidan. That's the reason why this blog has been neglected, and I miss it dearly! I'm planning to return to posting regularly within the next couple of weeks, so allow me to thank you all for your patience - and I look forward to sharing new treasures with you soon!

Feel free to contact me with comments via email lunarka.at.gmail.com

Photo via Batkivschyna


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Stylish Scientists: Andreia


'Stylish Scientists' is a weekly series that brings you an exclusive peek at women in science and their style.  
The motto of the 'Stylish Scientist' is: "Always look chic while making a discovery!"
stylish scientists, andreia lee, columbia university, science and style, chic scientists, fashion and academia, madewell orange sweater, harem pants, short haircut
Let me introduce you to Andreia Lee - a very stylish scientist from Columbia University. Add to this sweet personality, beautiful smile, big scientist's brain - and there you have a killer combination. Our photo shoot took place early in the morning. We wanted to take pictures inside the tissue culture room where cells are grown but, I guess, the doors were still sleepy and we couldn't open them. Oh well, we found plenty of interesting spots next to chemicals, lab coats and other usual lab stuff. 
Let's get back to fashion though! Andreia's cool downtown style is adored by lots of Columbia's ladies. How does she do it? I don't know because Andreia hates shopping but the sense of style is key here. Just read the interview below and take notes, ladies!

At what stage of science education are you?
4th year in biological sciences PhD

Tell us about your research, inspiration and motivation in science
I am currently working on a protein, TRIM28, which was found to repress the expression of certain viruses in embryonic stem cells. I want to know how this protein is regulated and why it represses viruses in embryonic stem cells but not in differentiated cell types. My inspiration and motivation is curiosity driven. When the curiosity is no longer there, then it’s time to move on to a new question.

Your earliest fashion memory
My parents had a women’s clothing wholesale business in Sao Paulo and continued it in Los Angeles when we moved to the States. When my sisters and I visited my parents’ store, we would take home all their extra fabric or free samples that would otherwise be thrown away,and we would wrap ourselves with these fabrics and pretend they were evening dresses, togas, priests/nuns robes, or whatever else was in our imagination… we were really into it.
stylish scientists, andreia lee, columbia university, science and style, chic scientists, fashion and academia, madewell orange sweater, harem pants, short haircut
Who influenced your style and do you have any style icons?
My mom. Since she was in the business of women’s clothing, she’d have very high standards for quality. The stitching, the fit, the cut, the material, everything was very meticulously analyzed in the dressing room before it gained her mark of approval. The outcome is that I hated shopping with her, but I also formed a habit of buying very few good quality items and wearing them to death.Otherwise, many people/things/experiences influence my style, but I can’t say I have any style icons that readily come to mind. If I appreciate someone’s aura or spirit, then I’ll try to take that with me, but I move on quite quickly after that. 

How did the places where you lived influence your style choices?
California influenced me to value comfort and New York influenced me to be bolder.

Your favorite brands and places to shop
I admire Isabel Marant and Carven right now, but I don’t own a single item from either brand. I love seeing beautiful/creative designs more than wearing it (and it’s also way expensive!). I have no loyalty to brands that I wear, and it’s because brands need to be somewhat consistent in a type of style, so I’ll get bored of it quickly. I rarely stick with a brand long enough to own more than two pieces of clothing from it. As for shopping, I hate shopping, actually, and I never know where to shop. It’s such a time-consuming process, and the New York shopping scene overwhelms me. But I love the excitement of finding something that I love. Can you tell me where to shop??
 I am currently wearing a Madewell sweater and Won Hundred jeans.

 Your everyday science uniform 
Winter: Jeans, a comfy sweater, and boots.
Summer: shorts, a boyish tee, and flats
stylish scientists, andreia lee, columbia university, science and style, chic scientists, fashion and academia, madewell orange sweater, harem pants, short haircut

What do you think about dressing nicely while doing experiments? 
I used to be self-conscious about dressing too nicely to lab. I worried about not being taken seriously but my concerns were mostly driven by my own insecurities. I still value dressing practically in lab, but at some point, I stopped paying attention to how I am perceived… to each his/her own.

 Any thoughts about how the general public perceives scientists and their appearance? 
I suppose people may stereotype scientists as being plain, or dorky? Even that stereotype seems outdated now. I haven’t experienced any harm from these stereotypes, so I don’t have many thoughts on this topic. It is what it is.

 What are your favorite spots in NYC? 
Riverside park because I live right next to it, walking/running along the Hudson, tennis at 96th street and Riverside, and my apt with my husband. As for food, I love Takashi Grill for the Kalbi, Cha-An for lunch, Pisticci’s for an easy neighborhood spot, Oasis Juice bar, Absolute Bagels, Taim for cheap middle eastern, Casa for Brazilian, Gulluoglu for baklava, the Ides for great views of NYC, and Sushi Yasaka for my regular sushi spot. 

 Your hobby  
Metalsmithing!
stylish scientists, andreia lee, columbia university, science and style, chic scientists, fashion and academia, madewell orange sweater, harem pants, short haircut

Photos are taken and edited by me

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

In Support of My Dear Ukraine

euromaydan, euromaidan, new york city for euromaydan, new york city supports ukraine, ukraine in eu

I never thought that I'd use this blog to write about politics, but I find that I have to in light of the current situation in my homeland, Ukraine. I want to voice my support for all my dear Ukrainian brothers and sisters, who are fed up with the corruption of the current government and its breach of the public trust in walking away from the Association Agreement for trade and cooperation with the European Union. Ukraine is Europe - no one can deny that fact or take it away from us! The Ukrainian people deserve to live with European standards, and the youth of our nation deserve to grow up in a free society!

This past Saturday, we held a protest in front of the Ukrainian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City to show that we stand with the "Euromaidan" demonstrators taking to the streets in the capital of Kyiv and all over Ukraine. We decided to snap some pictures of this Ukraine-EU poster at different landmarks in New York, and in this small way send our support and love to Kyiv.

We love you, Ukraine, and we're with you!

P.S. For more information on this: BBC, New York Times, in pictures

euromaydan, euromaidan, new york city for euromaydan, new york city supports ukraine, ukraine in eu

euromaydan, euromaidan, new york city for euromaydan, new york city supports ukraine, ukraine in eu
euromaydan, euromaidan, new york city for euromaydan, new york city supports ukraine, ukraine in eu
euromaydan, euromaidan, new york city for euromaydan, new york city supports ukraine, ukraine in eu
Pictures by Joe Villarin