What I learned this weekend:

• The people who really matter will stand out in difficult times when the proverbial excrement hits the fan.
• There are some things worth fighting for, as cheesy as it sounds.
• As much as I whine, complain, and grouse about academia, it's still a far cry better than the chance of not finishing.
  
• I put entirely too much self-worth into a piece of paper that says "DMA."
• Sometimes it takes something big happening to make one realize what's really important.