When we Chinese girls listened to the adults talk-story, we learned that we failed if we grew up to be but wives or slaves. We could be heroines, swordswomen. Even if she had to rage across all China, a swordswoman got even with anybody who hurt her family. Perhaps women were once so dangerous that they had to have their feet bound.

Hunger also changes the world - when eating can't be a habit, then neither can seeing.

Be careful what you say. It comes true. It comes true. I had to leave home in order to see the world logically, logic the new way of seeing. I learned to think that mysteries are for explanation. I enjoy the simplicity. Concrete pours out of my mouth to cover the forests with freeways and sidewalks. Give me plastics, periodical tables, TV dinners with vegetables no more complex than peas mixed with diced carrots. Shine floodlights into dark corners: no ghosts.

I learned to shoot more accurately because my teachers held the targets.

I do not believe in old age. I do not believe in getting tired.

You can't eat straight A's.

Before we can leave our parents, they stuff our heads like the suitcases which they jam-pack with homemade underwear.