Ah, To Be Young Again

Went back to uni today for a seminar where we basically have 2 days of intense lectures, small group tutorials and role plays. It was really draining, more draining than work somehow. So forgive me if my post isn't well written tonight. 

Today, I found out that there was a high drop out rate for pharmacists after they register. This really interested me, more than it probably should. Does that mean I'm seriously considering giving it all up as a career path? I guess I should focus on the task at hand, that is, actually passing my exams first so that I actually have something to drop out of. And learning enough so that I won't feel too out of depth in the dark, murky waters that is taking responsibility as a pharmacist. No one to check after me! No one to tell me I'm wrong! No one to look at me in disbelief when I don't know how a drug is metabolised, or what it's for or even the fact that it's not a drug! (I'm referring to when I thought "aperient" was a drug because it sounded like "aprepitant" and I tried to correct the nurse for pronouncing it wrong.) Yes, as we were told today, the stage of the newly registered pharmacist... is a lonely place to be... (curtain drop)

On a lighter note, I went out for dinner and movie after uni was over. I'll talk about the movie first, even though it happened second. This is so that I can end my post with a photo. See, I'm always thinking of your literary experience, dear reader! 

The movie was called "The Hangover", and despite it being pretty wrong, I actually found it hilarious. Usually, I hate movies where a bunch of dirty, bloody guys traipse around the desert trying to find some meaning in their lives, which they weren't even doing - they were merely trying to find their friend. That they lost. Coz they were drunk. It sounded like a stupid movie but it was genuinely funny! I actually laughed out loud a lot, the whole way through. It kind of reminds me of Pineapple Express, that kind of funny. My review (and the movie) doesn't get much deeper than that, but in all seriousness, I highly recommend it if you're in need of a fast-paced, pure popcorn entertainment movie. 

So back to dinner. It's always nice dining in Hardware Lane, for it's relaxed yet energetic and distinctly European ambience. Especially today, as it wasn't too cold this evening and we were seated right under the outdoor heater. I am paranoid that they're going to fall down on me one day. I am paranoid about a lot of things. But I got through dinner OK, thanks for asking. The food wasn't as good as I thought it would be. How hard is it to make a nice prawn linguini? Having said that, I'll always love you, Hardware Lane.

The streets of Paris... je t'aime

Oui, Gastronomy!

Huzzah! Why so excited? Well, following from my last post, I'm pleased to announce some good news. Tonight, I was one of those pretentious foodies. Tonight, I entered the world of fine dining (without my parents paying anyway) (although my cousin paid for me). It all happened because my cousin took me out for dinner to celebrate my graduation. As she is an amateur food blogger, I was more than happy to lend my even more amateur photography skills and take photos of the food.

Needless to say, we attracted a lot of attention, whipping out our cameras (mine being a big, black dSLR) at every new dish. It really is a phenomenon of our generation, as fellow diners admitted they thought they were the only ones who took photos of food in restaurants and were pleasantly surprised to see us snapping away too and then we had a good, congenial laugh together, basking in the pleasantness of fine food and common pastimes.

We went to a restaurant in Ripponlea called Attica. I think it has 2 chef's hats so it must be good! Well, it gives me pleasure to confirm that the food was unique and interesting; I especially like their signature dish, which is probably why it's their signature dish (I mean the fact that it's good, not the fact that I validate its worthiness). I am by no means a food critic so I shall end here and voila! My favourite photo of the night for your viewing pleasure (for more - head here and there)

Terroir

Gastronomy?

I am so sick of people going to amazing restaurants especially now that Melbourne is apparently the culinary centre of the universe. I hate it when people take photos of food and post them on facebook and comment on the 'flavours' and 'textures' because the food being dreamt up these days are just the weirdest combinations of ingredients you could ever imagine, I'm not sure how normal restaurant goers could actually appreciate it. And people who constantly bake wonderful, sweet, beautiful desserts annoy me to no end, even more so when I end up going back for seconds.

So why do I want to be one of them? I want to taste something strange and different, savour something elegant and sophisticated. I want to appreciate unique flavours and stop touting "chips" as my favourite food. I want to be able to whip up complex dishes in my spare time with my eyes closed, as a domestic goddess should. 

Let me be a pretentious foodie too!!