totally agree with you Lara, this forum does motivate me from time to time when my energies are low.. i think its the idea of sharing the joys and lows of being Phdiers without being judged. my friends often struggle to understand my lows and the constant challenges that i face (i know they try)... and yet here i can mourn, learn and stay up my chair with a little encouragement from folks. am not sure if will ever get back to facebook - i didn't like the way it clouded my sphere without really giving me anything worthwhile except flagging up ghosts from the past... will see what happens with this forum's facebook group