Oh, The Places You'll Go! by jima

I look at the shelf in our living room that contains our growing collection of travel books and shake my head in wonder. The books, propped up by Venitha's favorite souvenir from Thailand, span more than half the shelf and more than half a continent, too!
As we near the end of 2005, we're proud of some big successes (Venitha's lasting through the company spin-off at work, our lasting six months in Singapore) and eagerly anticipating some wonderful rewards (our first visit from family, some hard-earned time off from work over the holidays). It's astonishing to look back at what we've accomplished, what we've gained, what we've lost.

In the light of this reflective glow, these books are both mementos and portents. They represent the many new places we've travelled this year: Singapore(!), Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan. They're symbols of the many wonderful foods, cultures, sights, sounds, smells, and foods (did I mention foods yet?) we've been lucky enough to experience and now treasure in our memories. They also represent some of the places we're planning trips to: India, Vietnam, America(!). Do they map out the next six months? Or twelve months? Or eighteen months?

Given to me by my grad school advisor upon graduation, Dr. Seuss' Oh, The Places You'll Go! is not on our Singapore bookshelves, but I've read it enough times to know how it goes and to take some encouragement from it.

So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

jima