One of my habits (it remains a matter of opinion whether it is bad or good) is a constant urge to proofread everything. I probably shouldn’t even call it an urge as it is something I do instinctively  even before I realize I am doing it. I suppose the annoying part comes in when I share it with those around me who care less than I do.

Those of you who chat with me on MSN are more than familiar with seeing that I am typing, seeing it pause, see me typing again and then sending. Usually what is happening is exactly what the more astute have accused me of - I am spell-checking my own writing. I have actually made more of an attempt to ease up on this and relax a little where it comes to instant messaging.

It is a daily exercise for me to read the newspaper every morning. The number of errors in their stories is embarassing (to me at least). I share the jokes with my father as I encounter bad grammar, typographical errors (we will assume that rather than just poor spelling) and ridiculous sentence structures. I still don’t understand the process (if there is one) that the stories go through because many of these are basic mistakes that should be picked up by a properly trained proofreader/editor, not to mention the journalists themselves.

On my recent return home from the U.S. I was handed a Jamaican customs form to fill out. As I quietly filled out the form, I noticed something that made me shudder. This form, which I have no doubt was printed by the hundreds of thousands for distribution to passengers arriving from various corners of the world, many of whom have English as a major language (if not their main one), asked for one’s “Country of Permanent Resident“. Without hesitation, I quickly changed the ‘t’ to a ‘ce’ and continued to fill out the form.

We need to do better than that!!

As life rolls on, we often have to forsake plans we made and make new ones as the “deadlines” we set seem to slip through our grasp. But sometimes when you look back you can see that there are good reasons for not achieving what you thought you wanted. Many times you would have had to settle for less than you truly want or deserve in order to “get there”.

So where I am now?

• I have a lot of life experience I would have missed if I stayed with my first serious boyfriend
• I am living at home in Jamaica where my heart is instead of loving long-distance for years and then having to move abroad
• I am not dealing with temper tantrums, jealousy, and possessiveness that could have eventually turned out worse
• I finished my university education when I could have found myself married to someone who wasn’t sure what love is
• I know the value of being treated well but know it’s not enough if I don’t love the person
• I am not the life support for someone with no direction and little ambition
• I am an intelligent woman who won’t accept being being treated as inferior

Yes, I am still “looking” because I would love to find someone to share my life with who wants to do the same but until then I have my friends, my family and myself to love me, and I will continue to grow and enjoy life, without settling.

Well I am back from the land-o-plenty, somewhat tired and glad to be back. My shopping went reasonably well. The bridal shopping - well I guess that went well in the sense that the dress has been ordered and a whole new honeymoon warddrobe purchased. One thing I can say is that all the wedding preps are helping me understand better what I will not do when my time rolls around (but that is another discussion).