1. In a daydream I used to have, all these places were points of happiness to me; all these places were lifeboats to my small drowning soul.
    在我过去做的白日梦里，所有这些地方对我来说都是令人开心的地方；所有这些地方对我这个快要溺死的幼小心灵来说都是救生艇。

2. Why some people remain upbeat in the face of troubles that would sink a less resistant soul.
    为什么有些人面对困难仍能保持乐观，而另一些人则坚持不住，沉沦下去。