What happened? I blacked out.

Test #1, finished. I thought the quotation from Old School was appropriate; I looked up and 2 1/2 hours had passed during the exam! Panic, panic. I have this weird whole-body reaction to stress before an exam. I had to choke down my oatmeal this morning. I didn't even finish it! And I always feel ill right before my first exam. It usually lessens as the week goes on. I don't remember being that nervous before the LSAT, and I had a lot more riding on my score from that exam.

After I finish a day of studying, I usually let myself unwind a little while reviewing the main topics of a class. While going over joinder rules last night, I watched part of I Can Make You Thin on TLC. I'm iffy on it; while I applaud making people more conscious of what they're eating, I think telling them to eat "whatever they want" sends the wrong message, too. We're so far out of touch with what we should eat that I don't think our bodies will necessarily be able to bust through years of eating processed foods to say, "Roast some beets! Mmmm."

On the other hand, the tips are basic, appealing and not intimidating. The host--some British self-help guru--breaks everything down in concrete rules. He is introducing them slowly, week by week. That's particularly useful for people who have a hard time reinforcing habits on their own. I particularly liked his tip about eating consciously, which is something that I forget to do when I'm eating "healthy" food. Instead of savoring, I speed through meals. I'm almost always studying while I eat, and I'm shocked that I've finished my food already! I tried out his tip of chewing more and setting my fork down between bites at lunch. I still finished my (small) plate of quinoa, sliced apple and a bit of Greek yogurt, but I felt satisfied.

I have another early morning exam tomorrow. Time to get back to studying! I've barely made a dent in the caselaw, and a lot of it is crazy and somewhat contradictory.

Four days...

And I will have completed this quarter. The light at the end of the tunnel is a beautiful thing to behold. Let's just hope I make it through the damn tunnel. It is looking a little treacherous.

Yesterday, my back hurt so much that I didn't work out. I think being hunched over books and my laptop has finally taken its toll. I have started taking breaks to stretch. Too bad I won't have time to do that when I'm in my marathon exam-typing sessions this week!

This morning, I was going to try putting the banana in my oatmeal (really, I swear!) but the banana was rotten in the middle. Gross! I ended up doing my normal pear & honey oatmeal breakfast, and it was delicious like usual.

I think I'm going to take a break from the thrilling world of issue and claim preclusion in order to work out. Don't worry, I'll be studying on the cardio machines!

Maybe coffee will save me?

Ack. I slept in. My body apparently heard my brain saying, "You have a lot to do! Many rules of civil procedure to cram! HELLO, do you have ANY idea of the difference between issue and claim preclusion??" and said, "Hey. Chill. I am trying to sleep here."

Yeah, I'm a little crazy right now.

I was going to try cooking a banana in my oatmeal this morning but I chickened out. Also, I didn't really have time to make a second bowl if my taste buds detested the banana flavoring.

Anyway, I don't have time to post much as I need to go to the law library, study, come back, work out, shower, and then drive to my friend's birthday party tonight. Sigh. I'm glad that I said I would go as I always miss their parties, but I am in serious need of some studying.

Per stirpes

Doesn't the post title sound like some crazy sort of disease? You might wonder what on earth it means!! Basically, it refers to a manner of distributing someone's estate after they die without a will (or how to distribute the portion that wasn't covered by the will). But of course every state has a different scheme for where the $$ goes first! Lesson: leave a will or another estate plan, especially you don't have a large family. Or all your money will escheat (that means the state gets it!).

Parceling out fictional wealth has me thinking about meal planning. I was doing alright at the beginning of the week but a few setbacks had me a little lost! I have to run to the store today in between studying, studying, exercising, studying and MORE studying. I'm planning to pick up some different oatmeal mix-ins for a round of experiments. I'm definitely going to try a banana and a Rome apple. I tried Bosc pears this week, and they turned out well! Ripe Bartletts definitely get a little softer, though. I haven't decided what else to make even though I still have Ellie Krieger's cookbook here, and I also picked up Kathleen Daelemans' Getting Thing and Loving Food. I just haven't had time!

Anyway, I desperately need to review trusts. When my brain is leaking out my ears later, maybe I'll hop back online to update about my lunch, etc.

Panic at the disco...scratch that, panic at the law school

Finals are upon us, rather like the plague.

I had a very random lunch today: spaghetti squash with pasta sauce, string cheese and a FiberOne caramel bar. I was going to make veggie delight for last night's dinner (and for today's lunch), but my remaining zucchini from last week was no longer in good shape. Sigh...the best laid plans.

Tonight is my last kickboxing class. Strangely enough, I'm not worried about working out during study period/finals week. I usually work out a lot during that time, otherwise my stress tries to strangle me in my sleep. I'm already planning to do a DVD followed by a cardiofest tomorrow, and I'll definitely work out before my friend's birthday party on Saturday. Since I have to keep a clear head, I won't be too hung over to work out on Sunday, either! The only questionable day is Monday: I have a VERY early final, and then have to immediately study for the next morning's final.

Yesterday, I had a cupcake as a bribe for 2 hours of studying. Yes, I was bribing myself with food. Yes, I know that was a bad idea. Yes, I am evil for putting a photo of said cupcake on the blog (and yes, I stole this photo from someone else's flickr site. I apologize and bow to your superior photo-taking skillz, unknown person.).