Turning the other cheek was taught to me by my ex-psy, @Appleblossom, otherwise I would have had no relationship with anyone–not even/especially with my parents. I thought it a good tactic in the hope of their realizing that they could change their ways and be respectful, too, and still survive in this world. I had hoped it would reverse this predatory behaviour. How naive.

Though I think it could have worked with my parents, but their oppressors were relentless and heartless, wouldn't stay away from them and allow them to develop healthy relationships within their family, or to succeed in anything. They made sure I wasn't successful in my strategy. My parents were absolutely traumatized by what they endured to ensure they never got out from under the heel of certain others' hobnailed boots and, of course, our relationships were always stressed and unnatural and didn't develop as a result. I can also say that as a result, I never knew who my parents really were. And how I'd loved to have experienced their true selves. I've seen glimpses and they were rather wonderful. And then there were their unforgiveable acts from which I am still reeling.

But I still turn the other cheek with others...as I walk away from each new attempt to find non-predators, but there are only the down trodden and the down-treaders in this world, in my opinion. 

I had told my teachers on zoom how much university meant to me at the beginning of the course. Big mistake. I'm now watching them ensure I never get my dues for my painstaking work, and that I don't pass this subject. They are being instrumental in creating my academic profile and ensuring I now don't achieve my objective. I assessed the one marking my assignments as hostile to me from the beginning, and another one. The nice one was not assigned to me, of course. I was being 'channeled' to where I was allowed to go, as I have been all of my life.

We don't have control of our lives. Others do.

Some students get through university, some get through but don't get any advantage from it, and others are stonewalled at every turn, undermined, disheartened and give up. I'm in the latter group but I don't give up, so they all have to fail me–or give me low marks as they pull my work apart. I know what my work is worth–but they have the power. It's not like maths where you're wrong or right. This is appraisal of essays based on research, and their appraisal goes.

I'm not a fan of teachers. If I had my time over, I'd homeschool my daughters. Teachers create everyone's future and that is one hell of a responsibility. Few are impartial. 

Pleased to hear you're enjoying cooking. I wish I could say the same. Since my kitchen was redone, I have no room for recipe books, and although it hasn't been deliberate, I have stopped using them and my diet is suffering as a result.