===============================================================================
Title: Of Exams and ESC
Date: 14-05-2022
===============================================================================

I passed the Molecular Modelling exam with full marks. But there is no time for
party.

At the beginning of this week, speaking with another guy from Brazil, I've 
realized that university exams here in Italy are different with respect to 
other places. We usually have to take one single exam at the end of the course 
and, with a few exceptions, there aren't any intermediate tests. Basically we 
have just that moment to perform well and show the professor we have *kinda*
understood the theory and we are able to do all the exercises. Yes, a real 
stressful moment. 

I am short on time: the PhD call for admission ends in about 15 days and my 
project is completed only at 50% (where "completed" means that I still have to
submit it to my professor and get his approval). Basically I need to boost my
productivity in the next couple of days in order to get a complete version at
the end of next week. 

During these days Turin is hosting the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). I won't 
talk about the songs - there is a bit of everything and that's OK after all. 
Kalush Orchestra (Ukraine) will probably win this night. Europe is living a 
tough moment (a real war on European territory had not been fought since the 
end of WWII) and a strong sign of unity would be necessary. A couple of days 
ago an old Italian professor - who also had a political role in the past - 
pointed out that a stronger and more united European Union could have been 
crucial at this moment. And I couldn't agree more.