Mixers

During the ASM conference, there are also activities planned for the evening such as mixers. It is an informal social event where people of the same interest meet and talk about stuff, usually more science. This year, Ping didn't go to the division mixer - a mixer for microbiologists of the same field of study, like Ping's is microbial ecology or the MSU mixer - a mixer for all the attendees from MSU and their friends.

However, Ping did go to the Microbial Diversity mixer. That's the course Ping attended at Woods Hole last year. Ping is not a big fan of social events like that but this one is actually not too bad as Ping knows more than half of the people there and Steph is there too!! Even tua tau keh is there. It is also not crowded at all. The best thing - great appetizers!! Americans typically have really fancy decor and delicious finger food for social events.

There's pies - pecan is Ping's favorite! Ping actually had 2 of it! Yeah, basically had her dinner there. There's also some berry pie. The one appetizer that is served most often is vege trays and cracker with cheese. Ping had never learned to eat raw broccoli but Ping did started eating raw carrots when Ping came to MSU. Ping still don't like celery, even if it is cooked, unless it is cooked until nua nua in the soup and Ping cannot see it or pick it out.

They also had a chocolate fountain!! It's white chocolate but a chocolate fountain!!! That's the first time Ping saw one, what more dip from it! You just have to pass the fruits through the flowing chocolate a few times until you coat the fruit. It was a little too sweet but most of the appetizer stuff are usually sweet. Although their dessert stuff are sweet, American appetizers are actually much healthier - fruits and vege - compared to our nyonya kuih that are easily 'tiok chek' or chiak siow pa.

There also tiny pastries that looks really pretty. Ping didn't try all of it. Just had the coconut dipped with chocolate one (the lowest one in the photo) and it was good.