radiology exam today....you know, i think studying is difficult - difficult, and tiring, and it's just a very ungraceful process where you neglect personal hygiene and become hairy and stinky - but our exams so far have turned out to be ridiculously easy. which is not to say i'm disappointed because i feel like i could have studied less or gone through less nauseic episodes of grief and worry. i don't know what i'm saying! all i know is that it is becoming so much more important for me to learn and understand, rather than learn and understand quickly, memorize, and then forget. it's our responsibility to KNOW this stuff now, not just think "gosh, i remember having memorized that a few years ago...". three down, three to go (three presumably difficult ones to go)...

so, i once eschewed swiss chalet. i remember having lunch with a couple of labs when i worked at sunnybrook a few years back, and we were at a restaurant, celebrating another lab's grant success. we were talking about dining and stuff, and i asked my professor where he likes to eat out. professors, i imagine, have little cafes that they like, or once in a while like to splurge on sotto sotto or do the ethnic thing and try moroccan food. my professor replied "swiss chalet." and i laughed aloud, in his face, because swiss chalet, my friend, is not dining out. but oh, how the tables have turned. when i was into my more intensive study mode last weekend, i didn't have the inclination to cook. no time! so i picked up the phone and waited on hold for at least 5 minutes (we're talking hungry desperation), and ordere a festive family feast. For myself. (yes, just me, for emphasis). a whole roast chicken, 4 side dishes, stuffing and sauce, dipping sauce, rolls, and 20 lindt chocolate truffles....all for about 30 bucks. not bad. i have to say, i tucked into one of the most satisfying meals i've had in the last month...and it lasted me three festive feasting days...i've even got butter and cranberry sauce and rolls still lying around. ha! triumphant! never underestimate the underdog.