This week my dad received honors from the king himself. He was awarded a prize for his commitment to cancer research.
We attended the ceremony in Oslo on Monday, and it was a great joy to see him proud. It is hard to pay compliments to my father, as he always feels he should do better, aspire to more (to what?!), and refuses to accept kind words, but rather dives right back into his work to accomplish more. But this represented a day where he came to a full stop, and enjoyed the attention. The Norwegian Cancer Association has done a very good job; the ceremony could hardly have been better, and they have made a really cool video of my dad where he speaks of his work (it's in Norwegian).
If you'd like to see it, go to this URL: http://front.xstream.dk/kreftforeningen/player/flv/?id=130
Wednesday arrives, and it is my very final exam, representing the end of 6 years of medical school. It is a 90 minutes oral examination in the field of neurology. I'm happy to say it went very well! What a relief!
Now it's Friday, and GRADUATION! It is time to get dressed in our national costumes (bunad), and afterwards there might just be a small glass of champagne ;).
Back in Atlanta there is this restaurant called "Everybody's". My favorite is the one in Virginia Highlands, but we also used to visit the one in Emory village. They serve this awesome pizza salad, and it's enough for 2-3 people. If my memory serves me right it is called Panzanella Pizza Salad. Although my version really doesn't compare, it is all I have as Everybody's for some odd reason have no restaurants in Trondheim, Norway...
In my version of it I use pizza crust from Rema (Italian style, 2-pack), green pesto and Arla mozzarella cheese. Bake in oven, 200 degrees Celsius, for about 10 minutes. In the meantime I prepare the salad; lettuce, sun dried tomatoes, roasted chicken, red onion - and whatever else I am in the mood for. I mix in some raspberry vinaigrette before I place the salad on top of the pizza. Delicious!
About 10 years ago, the owner of Café Filter introduced me to his tomato and mozzarella baguette. He sprinkled olive oil and salt onto the bread, and placed slices of fresh buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes on the baguette, and used Oregano as the final touch. The other day I made this for lunch. However, I replaced the baguette with Wasa havreknekke (crisp bread), and it was surprisingly tasty. I sprinkled the olive oil, salt and oregano on top of the tomatoes and mozzarella.
Well, writing all of this made me hungry, so I think I must leave you to it and check whatever I have in the cabinets...!
One down, two to go. I had my last written exam on May 25th. The grades are not due for another few weeks. But as 60 % is multiple choice questions, and I have checked my answers, I already know that it went well. Now I’m simply waiting, spending the time recharging my batteries. On Thursday they will announce the first subject I will be examined in, and I will have one week to study. By that time they will also have released information on my last and final topic. June 16th will be my very last day as a student. Finally, I’ll have my medical degree!As you may know, I have to go through one and a half years of internship before I can apply for jobs freely. The selection process is like a big lottery where we pick a random number, and whoever picks 1 gets to choose first. My number is 500. Needless to say perhaps – but that’s a crappy number… Many never called in and the result was that the last person who got to pick a spot was number 472. I was put on a waiting list along with about 500 other people. Today they released another 24 spots, and that is the reason for my heading. For what can I say, besides “What a day”.The first candidate was scheduled to call at 9 a.m. The next at 9.05, 9.10, and so forth. I received an SMS from the agency responsible for the internship last night, asking me to confirm that I was aware of the election process today, in case many declined. I followed the development, and almost everybody called in. However, when I hit refresh (F5 is almost worn out…!) at 10.55 I saw that I was the very last person scheduled to call in. I was given 10 minutes, as my slot to call was at 11.05. A bit hectic, I call Rune, I call my dad to ask about the places that are left for me to choose, the internet fails me, Rune updates me from his office, the last place that I potentially would go to was taken by the girl 3 spots ahead of me…puh…Eventually I call at 11.05– and I get the busy signal! I hang up, and moments later, the official representative is on the line. She hastily says that people have started declining, and she is considering drawing the line for now. She continues to say that she has two places to offer me: Odda and Lærdal. I politely say that I’m afraid I’m not interested. Hurriedly she says, that’s it, this round is over, and I will put you on top of the next waiting list, and she hangs up. I got to throw in a big thank you before the line fell silent. Can you believe it? This system is freaking random!! But today it was in my favour. As happy as I am for the outcome, I have mixed feelings. A very good friend of mine with a number close to mine was not as lucky, and has to wait until February. She is so kind though, when I talked to her she had no hard feelings towards me. I wish I could do something for her…Now I have to wait, probably another month or so, before they announce a new date with new available spots (as they come available for different reasons).But in the meantime, I have some exams to focus on ;).
