● I live in a smallish apartment. Some might even be tempted to say "tiny", especially considering the mass of possessions I have attempted to cram into it. "A size nine foot in a size seven shoe" would not be an unfair description. Among my most prized possessions are my cats. I had hopes that, at age 45, I might have achieved more than this. I haven't. So be it.

● I returned to school in my mid-thirties. I was in school for a little over six years, most of that time as a full time student. I was not a 4.0 student. I wasn't even a 3.8 student. I scrambled for my 3.2, and was in the bottom third of my class upon graduation. I sweated blood for that 3.2, though. So be it.

● I go through periods where my mood is pretty black. I went through a bad one last fall, and another one somewhat more recently. I try to keep my entries upbeat, even when I'm feeling like death, doom and destruction are imminent. The really depressive entries I keep on "Private". That's not particularly honest of me, I know. I admire people who can, in the anonymity of the Dear Diary setting, put everything out in the open for people to read and respond to. I don't seem to have that kind of courage. So be it.