Rebecca and the daffodils come before the swallows dare.

Of all the things I miss from my childhood, Catholicism is not one of them. I miss its songs and its stained-glass windows and the smell of its churches, but the religion itself I do not miss.

Today I discovered that I’m very good at imitating a horse whinny.

No words can describe the beauty of a Louisiana azalea bush in March. It’s true that they bloom for only week and look scraggly for the rest of the year, but that one week makes it so worth it. I look forward to seeing them bloom every year. I wrote in my paper journal way back on March 8, 1999: "Everything is blooming now. The baby’s breath are everywhere and they are gorgeous. And there are little wild clover flowers and azaleas in four colors – wow! The streets are so beautiful, and on some bushes you can’t even see the leaves, because they are so covered with flowers."

I cannot believe that Crash beat Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture at the Oscars! (And I saw them both, so I can say this.) I also cannot believe that Ang Lee made an "I wish I knew how to quit you" joke when he accepted for Best Director. I wish I knew how to quit the "I wish I knew how to quit you" jokes!

Lesson Learned: You can’t win them all. Case in Point: (Art Exam + 25% of final grade) + (French Project + 20% of final grade) + (Same Day) = Aced the art exam – bombed the French project.

Music of the Month: "Talk," by Coldplay; "Bad Day," by James Powter; and "Just Like Me," by DMC with Sarah McLachlan.

Shakespeare Quote of the Month: Perdita: "Daffodils, that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty." – The Winter’s Tale.