As stated in my last post, the time has come to prepare for my final exams. And like all other years where I’ve prepared for my finals, it is this time of year that makes me question my work ethic and ponder where the fine line ends between slightly procrastinating to being a lazy bum.
You see, I am not and have never been one of those students that sits in the library at all hours of the night, ballooning my brain with as much information as possible just to throw it all up again come exam time. I am surrounded by those people. In fact, my roommate never showed up last night. I believe her biochemistry final and MCAT studies finally ate her alive in the midst of the dark and ominous library. Perhaps I should call her and make sure she’s not talking to herself again…
I am not that kinda student. Don’t get me wrong, I study and I review and I space out my studying so that I don’t risk the chance of my head becoming so full of information that it becomes too heavy and simply plops off and rolls away. But in a sense, I feel I am a tea pot and when the tea whistle begins to blow “ENOUGH!” I shut it off. I let my mind rest and I call it good.
Call it laziness, call it lack of study drive but I prefer to see it as keeping myself sane and keeping the balance in my life. It’s the yingyang method I’ve always felt that works best for me and, as you can tell, I haven’t dropped out of college yet (or failed a class, thank you very much).
That being said, what occurred yesterday evening at approximately 5:00 pm is completely justifiable and, better said, completely necessary.
(Sangria enters from stage left)

There’s nothing like happy hour at Tucson’s shwanky, Armitage, to keep you sane during a week of finals insanity.
My other roommate and I ventured out to the foothills with our fellow Spain gal, Alejandra to feast on some happy hour goodies and unpack our study baggage for a bit under the warm, Tucson sun.
Perhaps you remember these ladies from my time abroad in Madrid?

Here we are in Alcalá, sipping on some REAL sangria.
As for the sangria at Armitage? Eh, nothing too special. In fact, I felt like I was drinking a shirley temple more than sangria, but it was the company that surrounded me that made my happy hour most happy.
As well as the delicious food…

Ahi tuna sliders with cabbage slaw and ponzu dipping sauce. Be still my heart.
Hummus sprinkled with feta, cucumber, tomato and olives served with pita points
4 different types of bruschetta:
-Tomato & Mozzarella
-Mushroom & Gorgonzola
-Brie & Green Apple
-Parmesan/Asiago & Artichoke
Miss Kaitlin also ordered the appetizer burger and fries, which she shared with Alejandra…the other carnivorous one in the group.
They claim it was also fantastic.
As the afternoon turned to dusk and the sky began to glow a certain orange pink, we all separated back into our study caves and got back to work but it was definitely a great mind release to the everyday grind.
Now, it is a new day and there are just a few things on the agenda.
Study. Yoga. Study. Study. Bathe? Probably should. Study. Take a lab safety exam. Relax. Meditate. Drink herbal tea.
and then there is the possibility of camping tonight with a group of buddies. Whatever the outcome, tonight will be fun-filled.
Question: When you were a student/if you still are, how were/are your study habits? Did you cram the night before or sort of spread it out throughout the days? Also, I am running low on my tea supply. I’m thinking of making some from scratch but any recommendations out there on a good herbal or black tea that I just MUST try? I’m open to suggestions!
xoxo
MM