Saskatoon

January - April 2000

I performed my second biochemistry/microbiology co-op workterm at the National Research Council of Canada, Plant Biotechnology Institute in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I rented a room in a townhouse with two other people - Marilee, the landlady and Chris, the Taiwanese international student studying computer science at the University of Saskatchewan. I lived up in the northern part of town called Lawson Heights. Luckily for me, the university was only a 15 minute bus ride away.

My stay from January to April 2000 was bearable. I was fortunate to have come across a very mild winter this year. My sneakers were enough to keep me warm. One thing I learned was not to wear jeans cause they freeze on your legs and it hurts! The wind chill factor combined with the temperature was as low as -39°C. Yep, it sure felt cold!

The Administrative Building- An example of the Gothic style architecture (with greystone tiles) of the buildings located on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The Thorvaldson Building- Otherwise known as the Chemistry department.

The Biology Museum- Located in the Biology Building. Wow... a stegasaurus!

The University Bridge- One of the five major bridges running across the South Saskatchewan River. This bridge links the university campus on the east side to downtown on the west side of the river.

The DeltaBessborough Hotel- The scene you will most likely see on a postcard from Saskatoon! This picture was taken from the Cosmopolitan Park lookout. This is the best view of the Delta Bessborough Hotel along the South Saskatchewan River.

Botache National Historic Site- Our lab standing along the South Saskatchewan River.
From left: Janet (my supervisor), Sean (my boss), Tammy (our lab technician) and me! Yes, I know what you are thinking... snow and we are wearing T-shirts... but hey, it was a hot day!

Me in the lab- I am sitting at my workbench in Sean Hemmingsen's lab at the Plant Biotechnology Institute.

Lab at PBI- My lab at the Plant Biotechnology Institute.
From left: Janet, Qing, Sean and Michelle. Tammy and I are sitting in front.