Devil´s bliss

Tired from a long day, I was walking home in the dark. Streets were empty, curtains closed. Click, clack, click clack... I was speed walking, ready to get cozy and warm at home. Reflecting about my day, my train of thought got disturbed by a beautiful, loud noise piercing my head. I followed the noise, and got pulled into an old church. I walked in, mildly curious. I saw people´s profile outlined by calming, blue light. Then an angel light dominating the whole room, make it clear to me to put my Maltesers away in my bag, as the sound of the packaging was out of place. I did not mind. Even though I was starving, I was ready to be fed. Jazz band, all black. Instruments shining, complementing the vocalist. A young woman, with long, brown, slightly wavy hair was standing on stage, taking the spotlight. Two feet steadily on the wooden planks, rocking a fiery red dress. She sang with all ease, from low to high, working with her shadows in the back to complement each other. The stage was sponsored by Duvel, a nice Belgian beer. The banners of Duvel covered all corners. Duvel, in Flemish, means devil. The irony of the angelic happening in a holy place, sponsored by the devil was profound. I spontaneously started jazzing around. Half rhythm that I felt , and half because I had to go to the bathroom. My needs led me to leave early, yet with a smile on my face.

Bucketlist

Death is a frightening idea to many of us. To die too soon. To die with regrets. To die in pain. To die alone. To die without having completed your bucketlist.

Since I am soon turning 21, I am convinced that I am getting real old, so I decided it was time to write myself a bucket list.

1. Swim with dolphins. This has been a dream of mine since I was a little child, and I need to do it! They are my all time favorite animal.

2. Go to Japan. Either for vacation or even live there for a few years. The clothing, food, culture and nature speak to me so much. I wanne see and experience it!

3. Own a Harley Davidson. This is my latest obsession. Ahh, the leather outfit that goes with it, the muscular arms that tend to drive it, leather boots. I can´t wait to let my hair feel the breeze when on a Harley low rider. Any future boyfriend has more potential when driving this baby. Yet, letting me drive it...Major score.

4. Write for a fashion magazine. This would be the perfect mix of my interests and passions. Writing, fashion and beauty. This is my dream job. Just the image of me getting home from work, kicking off my Louboutins and opening up my super slick Mac and continuing my review on London Fashion Week. I cannot wait!

5. Las Vegas, Nevada. I.D me, betch. I have little time left for this one, but when 21 it is only appropriate to head to Vegas and spend a filthy amount of money in the casino. This is only so cool when 21. When I turn 22, the coolness of this idea will be dimmed. 

6. Jump out of a cake. Any party planners that need a volunteer, call me. I will be there. I won´t even ask for a slice of the cake. I mean, you can´t have your cake and eat it too.

7. Frost myself. This term is totally taken from How to Loose a Guy in 10 Days. But the idea behind it is, to wear jewellery that could buy you a villa. Even just for an hour is enough. Don't need to own it, just swag around in it for a lil bit.

8. Become a Youtube make up guru sensation. I rarely watch cable tv, because all the so called shows I watch are on Youtube. Pretty much all beauty based. Michelle Phan, Promise Phan, Juicystar07, Chrisellim, Dulcecandy87, Davenmayeda, etc. Most of them took Youtube by storm, and became Youtube-famous over night. You don't need an acting education. You don't need to hand out your CV. No nerve wracking auditions. No getting denied. Anybody can do it.  How 21st century it that?!

9. Try blond hair. I've always wondered what I would look like if I were to have blond hair. So, once I find the courage to try it, and bleach my locks, I will be posting pictures. Hilarious sight, trust.

10. Carnival of Venice, Italy. The carnivals I have been to have been all about wearing wrong outfits, boozin´ till snoozin´, and making a mess of the city. The carnival of Venice is world famous for their class, their outrageously artsy masks and eye for detail. Being overwhelmed by richness, ashamed of your under-dressed smokey eyes. After having seen this madness, I will never dress up like Snow white again.

11. Attend a Victoria's Secret fashion show. I've always been fascinated by the lingerie that they manage to create. But also the models. They are plain flawless! I've only heard good things about their shows, so why not?!

12. Take a ride on the Coca Cola train. The commercials from Coca Cola around Christmas are so always so magical. Any child's dream! This may be one of the most famous trains out there, so I definitely want to ride it one day!

13. Pick up ballet again. I used to dance ballet when I was young, but I stopped. I would love to start doing ballet again, become as flexible as before and dance to classical music with a little tutu on.



I stopped at 13, my lucky number. That is it for now, but a bucket list is infinite, so I will be adding more as I go on with life! I hope this inspired you to write your own bucket list too! Dream big, and follow your dreams... they know the way.

Raised on rock

Ever since I can remember, rock music has been in my life.
As a baby I sang along What's up from the 4 Non Blondes and Radio Gaga from Queen.
Half the fights I had with my sister growing up, were about her music playing so loud in our shared bathroom, that it would put me in a bad mood already before I was properly awake.
Or after going out with my friends, we would sleepover at my house, but unmistakeably did not get eliminated from my dads rock and roll before noon. Oh the headaches...
My dad has a very big music collection of over 2000 Cd's. The biggest genre present in this collection is rock. It's a passion of his to keep busy with music, to try and get the limited edition Cd, or to find bonus tracks that aren't usually on the album.
For me music isn't of such high importance. I never update my Ipod, I don't buy Cd's nor am I aware of new music albums of my favorites (well, cause most of them are dead...). But I do have an outspoken favorite music genre. And it's not rock.

Now, a while ago, my dad asked me if I wanted to join him to the Scorpions concert, final tour. I enthusiastically nodded yes, before even being able to come up with one song from them. I thought " Yey, concert!".  So two weekends ago it was time to rock! By the time of the concert I knew three songs from the Scorpions, Hurricane, Here in my Heart and Wind of Change. My dad took out a Cd,  Moment of Glory, and gave me the book lit to read up on the history of the Scorpions a bit.

In 1965 the Scorpions were started in the Germany based Hanover by Rudolf Schenker. The American influence in the German post-war rock youth scene was apparent. Die deutschen rock kinder at that time loved blue jeans, a good guitar and some heavy rock und roll!
In 1972, the rock band was complete with 4 members and launched their first, official album, Lonesome Crow. This first Cd already gave the public a strong idea of what the Scorpions were about; the piercing voice of Klaus Meine, the incredible guitar play that sings and a dazzling melody that is aimed at international success. Score!
The Scorpions grew to be an international success, from Germany, to America and all the way to Japan (Japan loves them!). 18 albums later, they announced a final tour. The guys who once started in their late teens, are now in their 60s, and have rocked enough. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to go see such rock gods on stage.

I got my studs on, heavy metal rings on each finger, black eye liner, and left my Louis.We arrive in Antwerp where the concert took place. Long hair, leather jackets, combat boots, tattoos and the smell of beer was uniform. I felt my inner girly Claudia screaming from feeling out of place. And my dad? He was happily reliving his youth. His voice was already a bit hoarse from rocking out in the car. I was mentally prepared to experience the high point of embarrassing parents.

I did turn half deaf after having my dad sing along, literally, every song, and did experience the whole rock on finger thing in the air, headbanging and standing ovations. But, I also did experience rock legends on stage. Rock legends that amazed me, that gave me goosebumps and that knew how to entertain. They stand on stage, as if its a hobby, and as if the electric guitar is part of their body.

I returned home, having a new appreciated for hard rock. It was time to broaden my music culture, and so I did. And I am so happy I did!

Say whaaa?!

One of my previous posts was about me stressing to go and stand in front of a group of students and teach them. Yet, now I am stressing about my first day at work.

A lot has changed this past month, so it is time for a well deserved update. 

I have stopped my studies, and decided to go work. I honestly didn't enjoy going to school, and each day became a drag. I felt like an English man in New York going to school; my classmates looked at my from head to toe each day, had too many comments about the way I dress, and I just did not feel at ease in the place where I spent majority of my days. I am normally a very social, outgoing person, but going to school I was a quit, closed girl. I was the Polish girl, or the special girl, I don't mind those names, but the negative connotation I do mind. I was only going to school to prove to my family that I can, and that I can have a higher education diploma. I wasn't doing it for myself. I decided to put an end to it, and break the news to my parents. The worst part was about to start I thought. Hell was about to break lose. 

I sat down in my room, knowing I should be in a classroom right now, and called my dad with fear and chills running down my body. Had trouble holding my phone. My dad being a man of principle and always aiming for high achievements for himself and his family, I thought the speakers of my phone would blow up once I had him on the phone. I told him to sit down, cause I had to tell him something. I explained him that I am not happy going to school, and that I have made the decision to stop. A pause... And then the angels ran their bells, as my dad told me he wants me to be happy, and if this is not what makes me happy, then I don't need to do it. He told me he doesn't want me doing it for him, or for mom, but for myself. He told me we should talk about it during the weekend and figure out a plan. We ended the conversation, and there was a sigh of relief. But now what? What are my plans?

Living by myself in Amsterdam, and now in Belgium, it is very hard for me to adapt again to the family life with my parents and siblings at home. I knew one thing for sure, I want independence. I am 20 years old, still very young, but I have always been independent, and I think of it as a quality, that has helped me a lot in the past. I had multiple options in my head about how to achieve independence, especially financial independence. For my whole life, my parents have payed for almost everything. Anything I could ask for, they would support me with it. Not that I would snap my fingers and get whatever I wanted, but they always made sure that I had all I needed and more. Taking financial independence from your parents is a big decision to take. After having talked through things, and really sat down to think about what I wanted, I decided I wanted to go work. Soon enough I made a CV, and spent my time handing them out around town. Many said, yes we will call you in a week, or yes come tomorrow for a try out. But no real results. 

A few weeks ago, I decided to hand out some more CVs, in hopes to start of working in a clothing store. I want to continue my focus with fashion. I am certain, now, that I definitely want my future to be fashion. Entering the work world without a higher education diploma can be hard, especially if you want to make it one day. I walked into CoolCat, a funky store for teens and young adults. I knew a few people who have worked for CoolCat, and they could only praise CoolCat. They enjoyed the work, the atmosphere and the people. So I thought, why not. I talk to the lady in the store, and I hand her my CV. She tells me that they are currently not looking for someone, but she will keep my CV just in case. 

I get a call about a week later from CoolCat. The lady on the phone greets me with a happy voice, telling me that she would like to interview me because my CV looks interesting. I grab my goods and go. A 5 minute walk from my house later, I am at the CoolCat store. We go upstairs, and she asks me basic intake interview questions. I left the store with a good feeling, yet bitter sweet because I knew they were not looking for anyone. 

A week passes again, and the same lady calls me up, telling me that they were looking for someone new after all to enrich their team. I am hired! Yes!

She hooks me up with the headquarters in Antwerp for another interview. I enter the headquarters in Antwerp, a beautiful building full with antiques and golden wall decorations. This made it seem only scarier. I sat at a giant table with a lady that was asking me questions in order to find out if I had the qualities for perhaps a leadership position in the company. CoolCat does training's for their employees in Holland in order to build up management skills, team building skills etc. This is a great opportunity, and adds great value to you as an employee. 

 I am so very happy to finally have found a job, and get started with my independent life. I still have to hear back about the interview in Antwerp, so we will have to wait and see about further options about leadership positions, and maybe a training in Holland. 

Now my biggest worries are paying my bills. My parents decided that once I quit my studies, it is time for me to pay everything myself. More than right, if I want an independent life, then you gotta do it right. For now pops saved me, and payed my rent and internet, as I currently am a broke baby. But as soon as I get my paycheck I will be in charge for all of that. 

This is a hard way to learn, but a good way. I am really starting to realize what money is, and what a powerful tool it is to have in your life. Money definitely doesn't buy you happiness, because I am very happy now, but it is frickin handy to have. 

But I am winning the Lottery tomorrow, so all will be good in minutes! Cheers. 

Spoiled fruit

The garden of Eden was once so innocent and glorious. Happiness grew on trees, the smell of rose blossoms and fresh grass filled your nostrils. The sky didn´t have a single dust particle that could disturb your chances at seeing the flawless sunrise each morning. If it would rain, it were golden raindrops landing on the pure land. If there was wind, it was a sigh of naive, young love watching over us with a slight frown at the silliness. There was no storm. Unheard of.

As long as we did what we were told to do, we were in the haze of the garden of Eden. In my story, Eve didn´t get tempted, but Adam did. The tree of good and evil got touched as he took a bite out of a tempting red apple, unfortunately this apple was well diseased. He knew the day he would take a bite out of the forbidden fruit, he will die. Temptation lead his choices, as he ripped the apple off of the tree, behind Eva´s back. Warnings of evil and bad endings by voices did not stop him. He took a bite, enjoyed the juicy taste of secrecy, chew it well, and swallowed it all down with little care. He continued to live and love for days, weeks, months. The apple laid on his stomach like a brick. Yet, Adam´s reasoning was- as long as Eve doesn´t know, it won´t do any harm.

Time passes, and Eve woke up to thunder, for the first time. This was new to her, she didn´t know what it meant, what it was. Angels took her aside, and said, Eve wake up, Adam is lying to you. He touched the forbidden fruit, and didn´t tell you. Eve didn´t want to believe it, yet she had tears running down her face, to even have the slightest chance of this being true, there. She walked around the garden of Eden, looking for Adam. She stumbled upon the apple core that was left under the tree... Adam soon came and knew how to mislead naive Eve. He said that the apple was eaten by insects, not him. Eve took his contrasting hand, wiped her tears with it, and walked to see the sun set.

Eve let go of his hand, as her soul led her to Mokum Alef to find truth. Mokum gave her new insights and she grew mature. She didn´t need the luxury of the holy garden, she didn´t miss it either. She realized that the contrasting hand she was holding in the garden of Eden, was a lying hand. She never wanted to touch this lying hand again. The tears she once shed for that lying hand, turned into gold and brought her more happiness than ever.

She never returned to the garden of Eden. Mokum Alef, I love you for giving me truth.

Since when did raspberry sorbet become a hair color?

The strive to be unique nowadays is becoming extreme. People stretch, ink, dye, cut, and pierce anything nowadays in order to look different. Why harm your body like this, and go through blood, sweat and tears in order to look different?

We tend to want to look unnatural, almost theatrical. What happened to the natural dumb blond? The brilliant brunette? The bashing black and the sexy red head? Nowadays our streets are covered with a My Little Pony color scheme- Anything from raspberry sorbet, to bubble gum blue and pistachio. I feel like I am in an ice cream salon!

The strive to be unique has become conventional, and the idea of "different" and what it entitles has become a mainstream ideology, in my eyes. Yet, I must admit, this "phenomena" of being different in more ways nowadays, has not excluded me. Oh no, we are definitively friends. Yet, nothing too extreme, no ice cream colored hair for me!

We must stand out in today's world. With a population that keeps increasing and increasing, and with the competitiveness in our society, this gives a dangerous cocktail, which results in our "unique" generation we have today. Parents shall not complain too much, before this is a natural reaction we have in our "monotone" society. We want to spunk out!

We all want to be remembered, and your look happens to be your business card. We invest tons of money in our image, we boil our brain picking a perfect Friday night outfit, and we consciously kill our dyed hair each time touching up the roots, or picking another ice cream flavor, knowing you will soon lose your Pony manes!

The idea of beauty has changed over time, it is not the curvy Marilyn Monroe no more, it has become a boxy, androgynous, short haired English man in New York. And that's fine by me. Yet, I won't pursue that look because I still believe in the feminine sexiness that shan't be hidden under such uniform.

I find it important in the fight against the mainstream, to not become mainstream. If everyone turns around and starts believing and doing what you do, then what's the point?
I won't fight popular taste. Popular taste tastes good because it is liked and chosen by many for a reason. Yes, you might be vanilla at the end of the day, but then just add some sprinkles or disco balls to make it more fun.

I'll still give you an A+

My legs are starting to shake, and my heart rate goes up by the thought of tomorrow... The start of my internship!
This week I have to go to a school in the neighborhood and observe a few fashion and nutrition classes. I have to make notes on how the students behave in class, how the teacher teaches, what kind of media is used, etc.
Then, after Easter break, I actually have to stand in front of a class and teach a bunch of teens. It sounds so crazy to me, because not long ago, I was in high school, just as them. And now I get to be the teacher, who tells kids what to do.
In one way, it's awesome, I can shape myself to be the best teacher ever, and have the kids work with me. But it can also turn a totally different direction, and I can have the kids turn against me. I mean, I am only 20 years old, the age difference is not that big, so to get a sense of authority, or at least to have the kids think that you know what you are doing, will be tough.
Fashion and nutrition classes are mostly girls in general, and at that age, in middle of their teens, I am going to have to rock it and show my dominant side.I have never stood in front of a class to teach, so this will be something completely new.

When I was in high school, I thought teachers just correct homework, and make sure they keep you occupied during class. Wow, was I wrong. There is a lot of work that is hidden behind the scenes with this profession. The thought that scares me most is that you have to be an expert at what you do, you have to expect any question from your students. You have to know your material inside and out, because you do not want to get hushed by one of your students by lack of knowledge about your subject.
For now, I am going to find an appropriate outfit for tomorrow (not too short, not too much cleavage), and hit the hay.
Prayers for tomorrow are welcome!

Connect the clips

Can you find the red threads?

Got beef? I like it raw

My dear friend, Gette, and I were recently cruising around with his car. Usually, I fight for the Ipod in the car, begging him to be DjClaudia-on-the-cut. He hates it, because I get so predictable with my music choice, and there is nothing really refreshing. If I don't win over the Ipod, I actually learn about new music. Sometimes it's a gift, and sometimes it just hurts my ears. But this time around there was no Ipod involved. He had just bought a new cd, by Mumford & Sons. I was expecting another "fantastic" drum and base or trance marathon about to happen. But this time around, I was pleasantly surprised!

The British band took our breath away with number 5 on their album (Sigh No More), which is called White Blank Page.




The volume was on full blast, both of us turned quiet and were flabbergasted by the beauty of the song. We must have played it like about 3 times in a row. We could barely vocalize our feelings about this song because we were so at loss of words. I actually had tears develop, but didn't dare to let them run down my cheeks. Crazy what a song can do!

The rawness of the guitar work, the vocals and the lads themselves adds such a pure, and honest touch, which really brings out the meaning of the song. The well rounded mix of instruments makes it an enjoyable modern folk rock interpretation, that I would guess most of us like, or at least remember...

Now, every time I ask to put on track 5, he knows exactly what song I mean! The rest of the album is also really amazing, by the way.

Hope you enjoy it as well!

A true housewife, is a decadent housewife

So, I got this book from my sister for Christmas, The handbook for the Decadent Houswife, by Rosemary Counter. The Toronto based writer has written a few other books, with a similar writing style, which I am very curious to read more about soon, hopefully!

Before opening this lovely present, my sister told me that this is something written for me! And it's totally true. The sense of humor, the extreme feminist way of thought and the extravagant decadence is just hilarious. Every page I turned in this book has had my face muscles working out one way or the other! I have been meaning to make a blog post summarizing, expanding and brainstorming the ideas written in this book- and now, that I have vacation until the 13th of February, I finally found some time to sit down and hopefully pull off a few smirks, knee-slaps, or a few other people who will buy this book! And of course, most importantly, convert some traditional housewives into decadent housewives. Enjoy :)

----------------------------------------

Chapter 1: 7.30-11.30 am, A good beginning

Decadent housewives are not meant to be morning birds. So lay lavishly in your bed as your hubby wakes up and gets ready to go to work. He's the money maker after all, so whisper a few good-girl-gone-bad words into his ear to start off his day well, and of course to make sure he is awake and gets out of bed on time, so you can have more space to snooze away until the rays of sunshine brutally open your eyes (My gosh, poor unfortunate soul, way to wake up...)!

Making breakfast is out of the question, of course. For a decadent housewife at least. If you are a traditional housewife, and make him breaky each day, men complain about burnt toast, bad milk... So keep breakfast for the very special occasions, so he can have no previous comparisons in mind. Anything will do then. For now, keep it at coffee. You get away with it, putting in as little effort as possible, and not much of a going-wrong-ratio. Sublime!

When you finally had your beauty sleep completed, first thing you do when you are out of bed- analyse yourself in front of the mirror. Once you realize that your beauty sleep really didn't change anything about your looks, get going! Take a bath.

If you have time, take an applauding long bath. If you don't have time, make time. Trust, it will be worth it. Plus you are going to be multitasking; working on your body and soul, making phone calls, Sip on some Champagne, chain smoking... Make sure you have an enormous amount of bath and beauty products waiting for you to test them out. Just smear them all on, save time not reading what they are needed for. Just make sure you don't pull a Mean Girls move, and smear foot cream on your face.

Le make-up routine is up next. But first let yourself air-dry. No need to use a towel, this is for the rushed people. Just take your time, smoke another cigarette, read some more celebrity goss, or parade in front of the window to tease your next door neighbor. All while you air-dry. Chill out, no worries, there is no rushing in any decadent housewives' life!

But it's really time to cake on that foundation to hide the real monster... After you apply that mask, generously apply concealer (all super models swear by it). Then powder your visage to seal the deal!

Lipstick is an essential, and you don't match the lipstick, but the lipstick will match you. Capiche?
Mascara is another essential. Apply an enormous amount, to get those sexy, thick, unnatturally long lashes. Watch out for the spider-leg effect, though. Or just go with the fake lashes, daily decadent behavior for the real one's.

Get dressed, gal! Wear a gala-ball dress to organize your bookshelf (color-coded of course, alphabetic order is sooo passé), organize your filthy overloaded closet with your red Jimmy Choo's on, or your Louboutins, as you wish.Then flaunt your silky soft skin, with a silky soft Japanese kimono. Those fluffy bathrobes are not chic, hun. Get your sexy on! Or dress like a French maid, your household chores will be soon be forgotten.If you are done with all this, before 11.30, use your backup checklist.This checklist consists of other beauty treats that could fill up your time ( cucumber eye treatment, washing face with stimulating circular motions, spraying perfume in the air and walking through it, ...)

Now, your good beginning should be made. Are you getting a feel of the horrible * cough cough* life of a decadent housewife? Stay tuned for chapter 2, Long Lunches and Brunches.

Xoxo, your Decadent Housewife in training.

Let's go oldschool: Write me a letter.

Yesterday I was watching the movie, Dear John, with one eye, and the other eye I was sewing for school. I soon put down all the sewing to watch the movie, because it was just too beautiful!

Today I got a postcard from my dear friend, Alex, from when she was in Vienna. I appreciated it so much, and together with the movie Dear John, I came up with the following idea:

Write me. A postcard or letter, from wherever you are. I may know you, or I may not. Doesn't matter. It also doesn't matter if you are writing it from an exotic resort or just your good ol' sofa at home. All I want from you is some writing.

If your handwriting looks like a 5 year old wrote it (guilty of that myself), don't let this stop you. Or if you put in some heavy calligraphy kills- Go for it! Or if you prefer to have spell check from Word, and just print it out- Totally cool as well!

What you write, is up to you. You could send me all your troubles, a drawing, a love letter, life lessons, critique, hate-mail, your bills in hopes I will pay them, a care-package, a cd with your favorite music, your homework, your life story. Or just send me some cash :D.

I want to see how big of a collection I can get from people all over the world, strangers or people that I know myself. Or maybe even meet new people this way. Who knows.

Will I write back? Well... You will have to wait and see I guess, but chances are I will :) And if I am allowed from whoever wrote me, I will publish the coolest, sweetest, funniest, most touching writings that I received on my blog! Time to get creative ;)

The address you can send all your writing to is:

Claudia Rammeloo

Berlaarsestraat 22

2500 Lier

Belgium

Talk to you soon, pen pal!

Bring it on, Taurine and Caffeine, you ill mixture!

Monday I officially start my exams! I have 6 exams in total, spread out over 3 weeks time. Doesn't sound too bad you'd say, until you get started with it! A lot of the material has been covered in class, but some of it is also self study.
It has been a bit difficult to concentrate during Christmas break, with so many celebrations and moving back and forth between my parents house and my student house. But my dad helped me set up a study plan, which I am trying to keep myself to as precisely as possible! Today I plan on pulling an all-nighter, God how I missed those... I got myself some Red Bull to help me get through this long night of studying.

There has been a lot of discussion about energy drinks throughout the years of them becoming so popular. Energy drinks are even banned in certain countries, like Norway, Denmark, Uruguay and France!

There are not enough studies done to actually prove that the mixture of Taurine and Caffeine (which is found in Red Bull) can be deadly. Even though there has been a case where a basketball player consumed 4 Red Bulls before a game, eventually caused dehydration, collapsed on the court and later died. Yet, no definite link between them, although still alarming.


Wired and tired at the same time?!
I know vodka-Red Bull is the drink when clubbing. But mixing stimulants and depressants is not a good idea, that's why they recommend to not mix an energy drink with alcohol.

Yet, I won't mix my Red Bull with alcohol tonight. I'll mix it this time with my general didactics study material! It helps me concentrate, stay up, generally perform better, and it improves my short term memory. Cheersss, drink to that!
All other students who have exams, good luck :)