La Dolce Vita

•  Parties in which you ask poor graduate students to bring Italian-style dishes bring out a certain level of creativity that can actually be deliciously surprising.

•  Especially when a main dish consists of strawberries and whipped cream.  Everyone's classy side was on full display as whipped cream towers grew to gravity-defying heights.

• Putting aside two essays and a presentation in favor of enjoying homemade tiramisu and cheap red wine with friends leads to an insanely stressful Sunday night.  Worth it.