Seeing that Valentine's Day is less than a week away, I'm under a lot of pressure to do something about it. When it comes to V-Day, I'm even worse than the Grinch who steals Christmas. I would give anything to never see a box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers or a Valentine's card again. And since no one loves me, I have even more incentive to boycott the holiday. And yet, here's another reason for me to skip the celebration: My grandmother's birthday falls on the same day, and I don't intend to miss out on it. Every year, I always put the birthday first, and I see no reason at all to change it this year. I keep thinking that things will be different from the previous year, but I always end up going through the same heartache, pain and misery that I refuse to be sent gifts on the big day. As for my studies, I'm trying to keep up, and I took a test in my Windows and Linux classes. Spring break is fast approaching in March, and I might go back to Maryland for the first time since I left two years ago. I need to make some serious changes to avoid having to go back, because I'm in the danger zone as it is. I still need to see a therapist on the day before V-Day, so I'm getting ready for that, as well as a dental appointment the following week. The worst fear remains that my emotions will once again prevent me from making the Dean's List, like they did last semester, but it's not too late to turn it around. Additionally, as I have been separated from my friends since the blowup of two weeks ago, I must make some amends, but I find it harder to do so, as I haven't seen much of them lately. The ultimate goal, though, is to make it through the rest of this semester and the next year without any problems, and eventually getting my Associates' Degree. First, that means I must change socially, which means calling everyone whose numbers I've gotten from them. So I need to break from the shell and take some serious action, or else I will be heading back north, and I really want to be able to stay where I am, because I like it better here anyway.