“Besides, it's my God-given right as an American to speak my mind and fill others' ears with my thoughts, my opinions, my innermost feelings, and my repressed childhood memories.”

“A crazy place in my mind laughs to keep the world and my heart from breaking in two.”

“I came home at dusk with my ears ringing from the quiet.”

“When I was a girl I had this strong feeling that I didn't belong anywhere,... It was in my head, what I thought and dreamt, what I believed..., that's where I belonged, that was my country.”

“The thought does cross my mind that I could slip and end up cracking my head on the pavement just short of the pool, but if you're always going to worry about minor drawbacks, then you'll never accomplish anything.”

“My head is killing me, my throat is killing me, my stomach bubbles with toxic waste. I just want to sleep. A coma would be nice. Or amnesia. Anything, just to get rid if this, these thoughts, whispers in my mind.”

“When will I ever learn to accept what is given instead of always yearning for more? My lavish expectations too often tarnish my blessings.”