To be fair, my program does not formally QC as hard as other programs. We have no preliminary written exams, no comps, and *gasp* no thesis defense. That's right. Eventually I just hunt down the old guys and make them sign the dissertation. They don't get to put up a fight first. Perhaps that is why they go into hiding.
Nonetheless, simply because the department depends on WWI attrition tactics does not mean that my second year class cruised effortless through qualifying exams. I needed a paper bag to breathe into during the month's preparation for my three-hour interrogation. In the words of the older student, "If you don't have an emotional breakdown some time before the exam, you aren't doing it right."
So what did I do? I read thousands of pages on stuff, swang on the swings every day, and occasionally hid in trees. I talked to the neighborhood cats about biophysical chemistry. I compared my oven to protein binding sites. In other words, I took 'quirky' and turned into 'wtf'. But in the end I passed, and now I talk to cats less often. Also, I still have friends.
The weather matched my gloom. Those four weeks were filled with the cold, foggy wetness that seeps through the skin. I sulked under multiple sweaters, hoods, hats, and occasionally a snuggie. My nose froze and my hands wouldn't type. I drank boatloads of tea, but the fleeting heat of steeped water always left me yearning for the comfort of true warmth.
A PhD candidate is supposed to come up with solutions to problems in an experiment. I could do that! Well, maybe not. TWO snuggies would be excessive. However, I persevered.
Behold, the impossibly non-photogenic hot chocolate. Brandied hot chocolate with cayenne, to be exact. I take more pride of this creation than I do of my data. It's a drink that pulls you away from reality and beckons a minute's introspection. It is simple and easily adjusted to taste. However, it is REAL drinking chocolate--no powders or rehydratable marshmallows. Finally, there is no cloying sweetness to dominate each sip. The three flavors come together with a satisfying complexity. The dark chocolate, brandy, and cayenne play a nice trio: three individual players that you can sense solo and in harmony. 
It's a triple threat to cold. Rich hot chocolate warms the insides better than tea: the fat substantiates the heat. However, 2% milk keeps the drink from being too heavy. Brandy gives a little fire to the stomach, while cayenne leaves your lips and mouth with just the right tingly heat. In the words of my friend, "Sounds like a nice drink to give to a lady friend." Sounds like a nice drink to give to myself. Every morning, forever and ever.
Charlene's favorite hot chocolate
1 c 2% fat milk (you need milkfat to emulsify the chocolate. I like 2%, but feel free to try whole)
dash salt
1/4 c chopped dark chocolate (50-75%)
Brown sugar, to taste (2T if using 72% chocolate and don't like cloying sweetness)
1/2 T brandy
Sprinkle cayenne pepper
Heat milk, salt, and sugar in a sauce pan until almost simmering. Take off heat. Add chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Add brandy and cayenne, to taste. MAke sure the sweetness is to your liking before serving.
