“Do you know that an Irishman always respond to a question with another?"And the Irish guy replies "Who told you that?”

“Closeness means you get hurt; closeness means letting down your defences and letting people see the tender skin under the carapace.”

“Women are programmed to think they’re the only screw-up in the universe and men are programmed to think they’re the smartest creatures in the universe.”

“Just because women can bear children doesn't mean they're unable to harbour the same sort of career ambitions as a man.”

“Lance told me his father didn’t think much of him. “He wishes I was better. More better. At everything. I don’t do anything right, you know, Stevie. Nothing.” He said this matter-of-factly. He believed it as truth. Polly told me her father never said anything nice to her, but she kept trying as hard as she could to make him pay her some attention. “He always says, ‘Don’t get fat as your mother has,’ but I don’t think Mom’s fat at all, but I try not to eat much, but he keeps saying it to me. Do you think I’m fat, Stevie? When my hair is messy do you think I look like a stray...”

“There will always be people for and against you, and its pointless wasting time trying to win over some of the people who are against you. Spend time with people who are for you. Those realtionships are worth it.”

“No, Mo," Miss Watkins said, turning to Nesta who was crying with laughter. "Nesta Williams, seeing as you clearly find it so funny. What do you think the name of God might be?""Er, not sure," said Nesta, looking caught out. "What do you think?""I don't think," said Miss Watkins."I know.""I don't think I know either," giggled Nesta. The whole class got detention, but it was worth it. I felt like i'd spent the whole morning laughing my head offWe never did get to know what God's name was.”