I think I'm beginning to realize that things don't always work out the way you expect them to (I know people say that all the time, but I think it's just starting to sink in). I didn't plan on going straight into grad school, and I sure didn't plan on going to an Ivy League, and I haven't been terribly happy this last year. I didn't expect to ever be happy here. But thinking about transferring has made me evaluate the things that are good here, and strangely enough I'm thinking I might stay, and I might be okay with that. I think life sort of takes its own form sometimes, no matter how hard you try to control it, or how much you may think you know what is best for you next. Maybe not going to grad school this year will turn out to be a really good thing this year, and you'll get into your top choice next fall, and life will be amazing. I dunno. Either way, I think you're going to be fine; you seem like a very in-control, intelligent, reasonable person, and I think you can handle whatever comes your way.

Thanks for thanking me. I often feel like I'm whining or freaking out overly much, but these are the thoughts that occupy my mind, and it helps to write them down. I'm glad it helps someone else to read them.

Hang in there. :-) Good times are ahead, even if they're not imminently visible.