Living Life With Grace

45: Number of minutes I had to wait to start my exam. (I arrived at 8:45, wasn't seated until 9:30).

5: Number of minutes I had remaining to answer the final ten quantitative questions. I did not pace myself well. In fact, I froze, hyperventilated, panicked, broke a pencil lead, bit my lip, clenched my fists, and almost cried because I couldn't do basic algebra. I'd tell you which questions were the hardest for me, but I signed at least three different forms swearing that I wouldn't reveal any of the test material to anyone under threat of prosecution.

1160: Raw score on my quantitative (540) and verbal (620) GRE.

3: Number of minutes I spent crying in the parking lot after the test.

93: Dollars I made selling my books to Powell's, including some rare hardcovers like Giraffes? Giraffes! by Haggis-On-Whey and McSweeney's #5.

1: Surprise, in the form of Scott Batmeman, who walked past me in Powell's just as I was thinking of him.

1 bottle: Cook's Champagne, purchased by Matt, to elevate my mood.

1 gallon: Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl ice cream, purchased by Matt, to elevate my mood.

1 dozen: Cupcakes purchased from Cupcake Jones for my birthday. Yes, I bought my own birthday cake, more or less. (I ordered 2 German Chocolate and 2 S'mores; the rest will be a surprise.)