Is the second-semester ache a thing?

Eight days ago I discovered a new emotional gear.

The last time I recall being my full emotional self was over four decades ago, when I was in first grade.

I remember this because not long after the school year began I cried every day—authentically and without a shred of filter—because I was terrified of my teacher, who humiliated me at circle time over my “weird” (Korean) middle name and who seemed to …