Grateful Anyway, Sunday edition

I've been kneeling on the carpeted floor by a stack of books on the Romantic Era and a stack of handwritten notes and study guides almost as tall, going through a final exam review sheet, pretty much since dinner. So tired. Still coughing after almost 2 weeks. Not really sure how the next 5 days will be. But knowing I should be grateful.

-My family came to town today, stayed 4 hours, and drove back home - Five hours of driving to see us! They are sweet.

-Grandma Smiley sent my birthday present with them. I love this sweater!

-Brownies. The kind made with several kinds of chocolate and so much butter that Julia Child would definitely approve.

-Tea with honey and cream

-Teachers who say things like, "I'm pretty much free all day tomorrow if you want to meet and talk about translation or anything you're having trouble with." Or, "Memorize 4 passages from Tolkien and incorporate them into your presentation." Awesome.

-Naps in the Big Chair under a fleece blanket.

-Coldplay (E.g., Til Kingdom Come: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo49REpQCwA)

-Kleenex