Monday, December 15, 2008

Expanding my Territory

People who have been following my blog for a while know that driving has always been one of my favorite metaphors for life. Being the wanderlust that I am at heart, it's difficult not to see life as one long drive on a meandering network of roads and choices, leading to landmarks and destinations, being almost constantly in motion one day after another.

It's also hard not to keep coming back to driving as a metaphor these days when it's the current everyday skill that I am currently trying to figure out. And it's hard not to compare this experience with how my life out here is shaping up to be.

I've been driving regularly on the wrong side of the road for about a week now, learning to understand the road rules, getting the hang of crossing wide highways without the protection of a traffic light, becoming comfortable with speed, trying to familiarize myself with the roads that I've been so used to only walking.

Most of my drives so far have been short and to places pretty close to home - to work, to the shops, to the occasional fast food chain drive-thru. I've even chanced a few long drives under supervision of friends crossing the city to the coast and back. And every day, I try to do a little more, drive a route that I'd been afraid to try the day before, and go just a little farther afield.

Coming over here was a pretty drastic way to jumpstart my life. By finding the gumption to travel further from home and choosing to wander into the unfamiliar, I have been rewarded many times over. And I find that every day, I am able to do learn a little more, change a little more, and grow just a little further - in the way I see the world, in my willingness to embrace experiences, and in the way I see myself.

There's still so much to see, so much to discover in this wonderful journey of life -and this new place I have chosen to meander in. But I love knowing that I am, without a doubt, constantly expanding my territory.

5 comments:

ness said...

you know what, had i been your age now, i would do exactly what you did - go on a terrific adventure! i know what wanderlust feels like. it beckons constantly...

Manggy said...

You go girl! I was supposed to say, "Next stop, ____" but I realized that all the famous Australian places are on the other side of the continent! But then again, who knows? Next stop, Sydney! Hee hee :) I guess I don't have to tell you to always be safe, as you're already very cautious :)

dr_clairebear said...

@ness: it's never too late! :) i always like recruiting people into the wanderlust club.

@manggy: sydney is definitely on the agenda, just not sure when it will be. sometimes, i think i'm over-cautious... but years of paranoia cannot be cured overnight. still, it's been a blast taking a chance or two every now and then, even minor ones!

Panaderos said...

Even if it's an old car, I just want to share a few words of advice. Please follow a maintenance schedule. Ask your friends there for a dealership with a good reputation where you can take your car for servicing.

Other than that, I'm so happy for you that you are now indeed expanding your territory. I wish you the best in your journey. Merry Christmas! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays, Dr. Clairebear! ;o)