#but i literally dont know how to not zone in without a timer going

[inkwellimps]

Based off of @manofthepipis fic [[Data Recovering]] where Spamton says they're gonna play Monopoly next time lmfao.

[marriedtosuku]

Headfirst

Collage made by me, but I dont own any pictures. Middle photo was made by @heybiji on Twitter.

an: This is a non-jjk drabble. A quick little drabble about Caleb of Love and Deepspace since I can not pull for Xavier's event card because I pulled a 5 star Caleb. Which in theory is insane because I literally do not want to pay extra for a possibility (do I still sound bitter at not getting my omega). Anyway, enjoy this fluffy piece and I cant wait to hear from you all.

Pairing: Caleb x reader

genre:fluffy, kinda self-depricating, pregancy, chapped lip Caleb, baby apple

word count: 600ish

Hmph, stop pipsqueak.”

I ignore his pleas, a tube of my favorite lip balm in hand on a mission to moisturize my boyfriend’s lips. He has a habit of biting his lips when he’s nervous, chapped skin prickling against my neck while we wait for the timer. 

“ no Caleb, your lips are scratching me.” 

“ let me just lick em.”

“No,” I counter. “ that makes it worst. This is going to make your lips smooth and buttery.” 

“ do I need smooth lips to wait for a pregnancy test?” 

I stand against him, his exposed arm wrap securely around my neck. The test tempts me with each grueling second pass by in steady ticks. This is our first pregancy scare since our wedding and the tension of it all has me reeling on Caleb’s broad chest. Idealistically, a child would be the missing piece in our family dynamic. A girl or boy, favoring mostly me with a few feature of my staggering husband sounds blissful, but our trauma combine could make Dr.Phill plan an early retirement. To put it bluntly, we’re damaged goods. 

Caleb, an ex Colonel commander, still wake up in cold sweats. His hard body quivers, hands tightly bounded around the fitted sheets, heaving in utter distress at whatever memory tormenting him that night. Some nightmares were worst than others which is why he prefer I fall asleep before him. 

But I’m not any better. 

A cluster of misguidance, mistrust, and misfortune all wrapped up in a short tempered body. I had my fair share of death and misery to make even Heartbreaker weep. Some things I haven’t even told Caleb about and never will. 

Because a hunter has to be strong, especially in the face of an adversary. 

“do you think we’re ready for a child?” I asked. 

He purse his lips. “I think we could try. We know how rough we had it growing up and know not to put our child through it. Therapy has been working, so I’m not experiencing nightmares as much.” A hand caressed my shoulder blade. “You’re just in your pretty little head again.” 

I hate when he does that. 

“ m’not in my head.”

“Hey, “ he turns me around, his bright indigo eyes stared at me so tenderly, hands firmly on my arms to keep me steady, and a kiss from his chapped lips on my forehead. “We are ready for this. Our child will be loved, nourished, and cared for. They will not a go a day without hear an ‘I love you’, and I know we both would go hell and high waters to protect them. I can promise you with my heart that I’ll do whatever it takes to make you and them happy and safe.” 

“Caleb,” 

My heart skips a beat when the timer echoed in our bathroom. It felt like a hot cast iron skillet on my hand. 

“Are you ready to look?” 

I nod.

Our strides differed. Caleb practically glide over towards the white, plastic stick while I strayed behind like a skittish cat. Caleb reassurance made my heart a little lighter but that pestering voice lingered. 

“Am I good enough ?” 

“Can I be a naturing mother?” 

“There’s no rules to parenting, pipsqueak.” 

“Stop reading my mind!” 

He chuckles. “Come here,” 

I zoned in at the test and Caleb’s glimmering face. 

Positive.  

“We’re going to be parents.” He practically lifts me up. 

“Heh, I can’t believe it. I’m still doubting my parental abilities, but I know that we have each other and we’re going to give our all so baby Apple will never be without.” I finally say. “It’s just one more thing.” 

“Yeah?”

“Their daddy shouldn’t have chapped lips.” 

an: I love this man, but I know he doesn't own chapstick.

[oberlinexecutivefunctioning-blog]

Advice for Long Study Sessions

As finals approach, I imagine that almost everyone is facing down the barrel of long nights reading, cramming, drafting, and editing.  Here are some clever ways I've picked up to break up, optimize, and fully utilize that five hour study block on your calendar.  

Use the Pomodoro Method.  This method is the most famous way I know to break up a long study session, and I have to include it first.  The basics are as follows: you work for 25 minutes, take a break for 5 minutes, work for 25, break for 5, etc.  Every four cycles (2 hours), you take a 15 minute break to refresh.  A lot of people swear by this method or some adjusted version of it.  I know some people who promise that a 24 min work/6 min break ratio is ideal.  Some insist that 50 min work/10 min break works best.  No ratio is right for everyone, so feel free to try a few out to see what you like.  There are TONS of pomodoro timer apps out there, including ones that block use of your phone during the work time, and you can always pick up a regular kitchen timer as well if you want to stay well and truly off your phone.  I find that the Pomodoro method works well for anyone who a. Doesn't mind working by a timer and b. Wants something simple and customizable that takes little extra thought.  

Use Music Cues.  This one works really well for me, but it's a bit unorthodox.  Basically, you format your study around a certain playlist or set of playlists.  First, take some time to decide the "function" for certain songs; the rules can be broad, like "songs without lyrics are study songs and songs with lyrics are break songs," but I find it more effective when actual specific songs have their own functions.  After all, I like listening to songs without lyrics when not studying, too! For me, there's a certain song ('oranges in winter' by Bassti) that signals to my brain that It Is Study Time.  My study playlist starts with that song, works through around 30 minutes of Study Music, then hits a specific song (like Iron & Wine's awesome version of 'Time After Time') that means it's time for a break.  I break for three songs, and then 'oranges in winter' plays again.  Every time I listen to the playlist, the cues grow stronger.  I recommend this method for anyone who a. Likes listening to music while studying, b. Doesn't like working by a traditional timer, and c. Doesn't mind taking some time to make a study playlist like this.  

Plan Breaks in Advance.  Personally, I hate the feeling of reaching a study break and suddenly having to decide what to do for 5-10 minutes.  Decisions are stressful, and more often than not, I end up spending the whole break thinking up things I could be doing and trying to decide which one I should do OR scrolling something on my phone to avoid the decision, neither of which is a real break.  I've listed some possible break activities on this blog before, so go check those out if you dont know what sort of breaks you want to be taking.  If you do have some idea of how you like to take your study breaks, try listing them out for yourself on paper.  Next time you stare down a long study session, pick a few out and place them in order that you want to do them.  If you keep a study playlist, you could even pick certain break songs that indicate different break activities.  A key is to choose more than one break activity and alternate them.  Your brain thrives on variation!

Spend your First Study Block Planning.  You may have noticed a theme in this list by now.  Breaking up a large block of study into smaller blocks of time is essential.  Unless you manage to tap into your hyper focus (man I wish I could do it on demand), you will need to pace yourself.  Part of pacing yourself is making small, manageable goals that each fit into one study block.  For example, I'm a slow reader, especially when I'm researching for a paper.  My study blocks often say "Read and annotate 25 pages".  Do I have 300 pages to read? Yes I do.  But there's no way I'm getting that done in even ten 30 minute blocks of time if I want a quality annotation list to use for my paper.  It's no use putting down "Read x book," because I'm not going to be able to do that.  If you set down manageable goals for your study blocks ahead of time, you will be able to a. Meet your goals!, b. Feel accomplishment, and c. Know what you're supposed to be doing at every moment of the long study session so you're never left floundering in limbo-zone.  

Be Open to Changing Locations.  Sometimes, staring at the same damn wall for five hours just feels like torture.  It's important that you have several study locations in mind for yourself so that you can refresh your mind, especially if you get stuck or frustrated.  Even just changing which seat you're sitting in at the same table could provide you with a fresh perspective, both literally and mentally.  Bonus points if you manage to sit in every level of Mudd during the same long study session.  (They really do each have their own personality.) Extra bonus points if you get some fresh air while you change locations.  But caution! Make sure you have a few locations in mind BEFORE YOU START.  It's way too easy to end up wandering campus in search of the Perfect Study Spot for hours on end.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  It just has to be new.  

Stock your Backpack.  If you're going to be studying for even a few hours, you're gonna need a snack.  You're gonna need water (and lots of it).  You might want any any point: mouthwash, deodorant, a hairbrush, stim toys, stress balls, extra pens, highlighters, post-its, photos of loved ones, mints, tampons, earbuds, gum, and/or tissues.  A long study session is a marathon, so be prepared! Think I'm being dire? These are ALL examples of real things I have really needed during a study sesh.  Customize the list for your needs. 

Make Yourself at Home.  This is related to the previous point, but it's important to emphasize.  Studying can be really enjoyable (really!) and it can also be really grueling.  Most importantly, it is your own time, and it's important that you make it your own.  Bring pillow and blanket to Mudd.  Erect a shrine in the corner of a lounge.  Do what you need to do to make YOU comfortable.  It is incredible that we are allowed, encouraged, and (yes) essentially forced to spend hours on end learning and growing.  I know those long finals hours can be super stressful and demoralizing.  You might feel like beating yourself up.  "Why didn't I just get this done earlier?!" or "Why am I just not getting this?!" Try not to get sucked into that stuff.  What's passed is passed, and you will have time for reflection later.  When it's study time, you have only the tasks in front of you and the environment around you.  As long as you plan those well and make them as nice as possible, you are on your way.  

I have spent my share of nights fretting over papers due the next day and long sessions before a test cramming as much information as I can into my head.  I'm not here to shame you for being behind or stressed.  These tips are meant to be taken as guides, not instructions.  If you never make The Perfect Study Bag filled with everything you could need, well guess what me neither.  Gosh, who has time for that? Serious props to you if you do it. (Send pics, seriously) But thinking about what you need during a study session is important, and that's why it's on this list.  I promise that you are doing GREAT, and I wish you the best of luck these finals!