At my grandmother's funeral, I bumped into someone I hadn't seen in over 20 years. She asked me what I'd been doing and I said, "Oh, Just Trying Out the World." I don't think I've ever uttered that phrase before so I'm unsure where it came from, but later when I thought about it, it made perfect sense. Because that's exactly what I've been doing throughout the years.
Since I married my husband, I've lived in many different states (one of them twice). And I'm about to try another one out very soon. One with a beach - Yay! We haven't had the good fortune of an overseas tour, at least not together. Unfortunately, when my husband has received orders to go overseas, they've always been the kind of assignments that means he'll be going and I'll be staying at home. Don't you just love unaccompanied tours? So, I've lived in Korea, one unnamed country in the Middle East and Afghanistan vicariously. I've seen them through my husband's eyes.
I know I love Texas and have put it on the list as a possible retirement spot. I know I don't like living in Kansas. Apologies to you Kansas natives. Nothing personal, but I just don't function well in ice storms. Besides, you don't want me on the road in an ice storm, it's much safer for all involved.
I know that I can get incredible bargains on gorgeous rugs and baskets in Middle Eastern countries. Silver, too. I believe that Korea may be the electronics capital of the world. I know that there are few things more beautiful than Texas Bluebonnets and Washington Cherry Blossoms. I know that oil is being pumped (or was when I was there) in the most unusual places in Oklahoma. I know that Texas Armadillos are frighteningly ugly. I know that the mosquitoes around Ft. Benning are on steroids and I'm wondering when Congress will begin an investigation into this. Thanks to SpouseBUZZ LIVE, I know that I deeply envy those of you who are stationed in San Diego because it's incredibly beautiful there. I could go on and on. There are so many things I've learned from criss-crossing the country. Things I wouldn't otherwise know. Things that enable me to carry on a fairly intelligent conversation with most anyone I meet.
I also know that had I not married into the military, I would not have had the opportunity or the inclination to sample the world around me. What I would have missed out on....
I suppose most of you are trying out the world as well. What have you found?
