What happens when I get a B+?

There’s been a recurring thought floating around my head about self-sacrifice. Why is it that women seem to be so much more willing to engage in self-sacrifice than men are? Why are we willing to deprive ourselves of things, be it material, spiritual or otherwise, while men seem to be able to follow the ‘I want it now or else’ mentality? It bothers me to no end. It bothers me that I’m willing to do it too, and hate it while I do it. It doesn’t make me feel like the bigger person, although it should. It makes me feel like the slave of the household. Are women taught to be this way or is it just in our blood?

With this, of course, comes the realization that I am a glutton for punishment. I heap it onto myself and then cry when it gets too hard. Perfect example: I’m taking three classes this summer. Why? Because I want to get this Master’s degree over and done with. It is going to be ten weeks of pure hell. PURE HELL. And I know it. But I’ll still bitch and moan about it every step of the way. And, while writing this, I had the brainstorm to try to check on my grades from last semester’s classes. Wouldn’t you know, I got my first B+. NOOOOO!!!! I had an A going into the final, and I got an A on the final, but for some reason that professor gave me only 50% for participation. What in the world is THAT about? Unlike my usual ‘take it on the chin and be glad for it’ self, I e-mailed the professor and asked him to justify the participation grade. I’ll be interested to see what he says. I just can’t even think of what he could say to justify a 50% participation grade. This should be interesting. So, going into my final semester I had a perfect 4.0 GPA for grad school. I was proud of that; it’s the first time I have EVER gotten a 4.0 and earned it. And man, I’m going to protect it if I can!