My lab threw a little impromptu party in the break room (another kind grad student even bought champaign — I like to think they thought I’d pass!). We all drank and people told other candidacy exam stories for the rest of the afternoon. As my reward, we went to my favorite little food place (an Indian place called “Naan Stop” in Isle Vista — I love their Saag and boba tea) and then I promptly collapsed at home.

But, my real reward was having my parents visit from Colorado later that week (I don’t get to see them nearly enough!) — they came out for four nights over the weekend and we had a really great time, made greater because the stress of my pending exam was gone. Yay!