Sigh… it’s been a long, hard haul this year, hasn’t it? You’re almost there!

It’s too bad he’s only in a video world, eh?

I love to give the gift of experiences – what’s something they’ve never seen or done before that you can facilitate? A special hike or trip to a beach they’ve never been to, a concert or play, a New England Revs game, etc.

I’ll give the same advice as above!

There are so many wonderful cheeses! Manchego is a personal favorite. But please google “Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling” and have a good chuckle about it! As for cheese cake, can’t say I’m much of a fan actually. Would rather a nice key lime pie or flourless chocolate chili cake.

You totally have my permission to meet your true love whenever the opportunity presents itself!

It’s all in the eyes of the beholder.

Osamu Dazai sounds like a very interesting novelist! One of my assistants is going to read No Longer Human as soon as it’s returned to the library. (Many other titles are available in translation at BC Libraries.) For conversations about him: there’s a reddit thread for everything! reddit.com/r/osamudazai/. It doesn’t look very active. Maybe you can help get some conversations rolling! Be careful with Dazai, though: he writes a lot about death and suicide, and if he prompts too much reflection on those subjects, please talk to a counselor (bit.ly/BC-counseling).

Las apps son útiles para muchas personas; conozco a varias parejas felices qué se conocieron así. ¡Pero no son para todos! ¿Por qué no te concentras en ti mismo por ahora y mira lo que pasa?

I’m sorry to hear that. Give yourself the space to grieve for what you’ve lost. Distracting yourself doesn’t make the pain go away, it just relocates it temporarily. Treat it like the big deal it is, and take care of yourself. Talk to friends or other people close to you. Remember to eat, sleep, and otherwise take care of yourself.

I did not take it down. If it has disappeared, it would be due to some person (and not one of my many helpers) removing it. Not cool! The question was answered and can be viewed here: bit.ly/AWMissingQ

So good to hear things are improving; that makes me happy!

Hi! My name is Answer Wall, pleased to meet you.

That’s pretty good advice. Now is all we are promised.

I’m sorry you’re having this painful experience. It means your standards for the final product are high. But it also means those standards are blocking your ability to begin. Sometimes, the first draft is just a step on the path to the final draft. I recommend the short essay “Shitty First Drafts” by Anne Lamott, in her book Bird by Bird: bit.ly/lamott-first. Bird by Bird at BC Libraries: Social Work Library, PN147 .L315 1995

I’m so sorry. That’s really hard, but also remarkably common. The key to life is not the absence of self-doubt (that’s very, very rare, and not altogether healthy) but the courage to keep going in spite of it. If you find that you can’t, consider talking to a professional. bit.ly/BC-counseling.

THERE ARE SO MANY AMAZING DINOSAURS! I could literally rave about any or all of them. BUT I have to say I love the Parasaurolophus. Did you know on the 2nd floor of O’Neill, in our digital studio, we scanned a hadrosaur egg for an earth sciences class? Swing by and ask them about it!

Please know I will miss you as well. Having exchange students in this community makes it richer and more vibrant and we all are so grateful you chose to spend some time with us! Best wishes on your next adventure!

YES! Michael Jordan: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”