Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” suggests that the choices we make can radically change the lives we lead.

I know where my fork in the road lay. When I met my husband in 3rd year university, I was faced with the choice of continuing our relationship as a long distance relationship, or joining him in traveling from base to base – leaving my studies behind. We eloped, I spent my 3rd year in Fredericton while he moved from CFB Gagetown (New Brunswick) to CFB Borden and CFB Kingston (Ontario). I didn’t register for 4th year and walked away from University to follow my husband in his career.

What was the impact? Other than not finishing university until nearly a decade later, I spent years travelling the country, world and working in a field I had never known existed while studying French and History. I have an inkling that my career would be radically different had I continued on the path I’d set out on after leaving high school.

I doubt I would have spent any time in India – which radically modified my outlook in life – had I not begun working for the company I do. And I wouldn’t be working for the company I do had we not been transferred from a base in Ontario to CFB Winnipeg (Manitoba) in 1998.

Would I be married or have children if I’d made different choices? I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that if I could go back and do it all again, I hope I’d have the strength and presence of mind to make the same decision a second time around. My life would have been radically different had I not met my husband when I did but I don’t believe that different automatically equals better.

The past decade has been a bit of a roller coaster ride, but I wouldn’t want to change a thing. As Garth Brooks croons “I could have missed the pain, but I’d of had to miss the dance“.

Did you reach a fork in the road and choose a path that may have changed the course of your life? What do you think the impact of that choice was?

Technorati Tags: Robert Frost, Garth Brooks, choices, marriage, military

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Hot on the heels of Zoe’s Read-a-ton contest (I came in 3rd) I’ve decided to attempt to read 52 books in 52 weeks. I’ve seen a lot of references to this concept and am not 100% certain who to attribute the original idea to – but there’s at least one book club that’s got their own blog dedicated to reaching this goal. Check out 52 books, 52 weeks for more information.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that I’ve already got a few books under my belt this year.

1. A Dirty Job – Christopher Moore
2. The Last Juror – John Grisham
3. Goal Analysis – Robert F Mager

It’s the beginning of the 3rd week in January and I’ve already read 3 books (that I’m willing to admit too – my embarrassing romance novel reading has yet to be included in the list). Looks pretty promising if I can keep up this pace. I’ve updated my Shelfari reading list to include the books I’ve read this year and help me keep track of my goal of reading 52 books in 52 weeks.

Technorati Tags: shelfari, books, reading, 52books

This weekend we left our safe inner city neighbourhood and made a trip into the ‘hood (Millwoods). Actually, anyone who knows the city knows that there really isn’t one area that’s safer than another. Sure, there may be areas with newer homes and fancier cars, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t crime in those locations.

So, what was I doing visiting the ‘hood on a non-working day? I was shopping for clothes for my trip of course.

I managed to find 3 salwar kameez that I quite liked on Sunday. Two were fine as they were, but I needed sleeves put on the third so I’ll be driving back out to the store on Wednesday to pick it up. Add these to what I already have and I should be able to survive the expected sweltering heat in relative comfort and socially acceptable outfits. Besides, buying new salwars gives me something nice to wear when the weather warms up here. I love that everything co-ordinates – pants, top, dupati – I’m terrible at dressing myself and can use all the help I can get.

After checking get new salwars off the shopping list, it was onto the next item. I learned from experience last time I was in India that I don’t want to be carting around a bazillion bags with me. I also learned that if the bag isn’t in perfect condition and might need replacing during your travels – it’s better to get a new bag in Canada than it is to pay the exorbitant prices in India for a replacement to a broken suitcase.

Knowing that I:

1. don’t want to be carrying a large number of bags,
2. need a large, lightweight bag to fit all my stuff (the things I purchase on my travels to bring back as gifts),
3. need a bag made of sturdy stuff with in top condition, and
4. have to bring a laptop bag as my carry-on.

I settled on the supreme travel accessory for all Canadians – the wheeled hockey bag. It’s lightweight and sturdy, will easily take a beating, provides lots of room for packing goodies and presents to take both to and from India and the Philippines, and meets my one checked bag requirement. Sure, I’ll still need to weigh it to make sure I don’t go overboard when packing (clothes and shoes are heavy, who knew?) but at least I shouldn’t run out of space.

Now, if only my passport would arrive from the Consulate. 7 business days left before I leave and my passport isn’t yet in my hot little hands… Can you guess who’ll be calling and making a nuisance of herself today?

Technorati Tags: salwar kameez, India, shopping, suitcase, hockey, passport

The hubby sent me this and I thought I’d share it with all the dog lovers out there.

Ten Peeves that Dogs Have About Humans

1. Blaming your farts on me… not funny… not funny at all !!!
2. Yelling at me for barking.. I’M A FRIGGIN’ DOG, YOU IDIOT!
3. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyway?
4. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose… stop it!
5. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons. Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you’re not home.
6. The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. You fooled a dog! Whoooo Hoooooooo what a proud moment for the top of the food chain.
7. Taking me to the vet for “the big snip”, then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back!
8. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry, but I haven’t quite mastered that handshake thing yet.
9. Dog sweaters. Hello ???, Haven’t you noticed the fur?
10. How you act disgusted when I lick myself. Look, we both know the truth, you’re just jealous.

Now lay off me on some of these thing’s, We both know who’s boss here!!! You don’t see me picking up your poop do you ???

Technorati Tags: dogs, top ten lists, humour