I am home for the holidays and trying hard not to ruin the festivities for everyone. My life has certainly not turned out the way that I want it to. I had to drop out of a Phd program for financial reasons and now having to deal with the plethora of relatives and acquaintances who are expressing their disappointment that I have not completed my degree. The phrase "pouring salt in a wound" does not even begin to describe how badly this makes me feel. pouring lye in a wound might be a more appropriate description. However, for the sake of my family I have to make nice and pretend that it doesn't bother me. I hate it.... How can people be so unaware that their words are hurtful. How do I survive feeling like a complete loser while outwardly pretending to be happy?