Well ... I've taken the plunge...

Most folks I've come to know have learned that my life was altered by an accident several years ago. Since then I have been trying to find something to do with my life that would fit my new situation; that could be of some value to me, my family and friends, and that I could be passionate about. Well I think I've found it.

Some who will read this know that I spent many years organizing corporate travel events and the like during my career in business. The work took me pretty much all over the world. I loved that time of my life, and I still love traveling personally, so it's natural that I have chosen to spend some of my available time now in the travel industry - albeit mostly from home!

I am pleased to announce that as of last week I have officially become a Cruise Consultant with Expedia CruiseShipCenters® here in Ottawa. I'm excited to be able to introduce the joy of cruising to my friends, family and associates. Although based in Ottawa, I can - through the magic of our internet based systems - serve folks anywhere in Canada.

Expedia CruiseShipCenters is North America’s #1 seller of cruise vacations. This means I can offer the best value on the widest selection of cruises available, including prices that we are not allowed to advertise to the general public. That's why,should you choose, I would invite you to enroll in my 7Seas^® Club. Membership is free and through this program you’ll be first to know about exclusive deals that are based on your personal travel preferences. 

To join, simply visit my website at http://www.cruiseshipcenters.ca/BillMeldrum , then follow the link 'Free Newsletters'. As my thank you for signing up you'll be automatically entered to win a free Caribbean Cruise for Two. Also, I promise I'll only send you occasional, relevant information. I hate junk email as much as anyone!

As a cruise specialist (and believe me when I say that I've been studying hard to learn the cruise business), I'll take the time to understand what you want most in your dream vacation and identify which cruise lines, ships and itineraries best suits your needs. I also manage all the booking arrangements and travel details - air, land and sea. You can leave all the details to me. 

Thank you for taking the time to join my '7Seas^® Club'. If anyone reading this has any questions, please feel free to call me at Expedia CruiseShipCenters - (613) 824-9666; toll free - 1-888-824-9666 or (because I'll be working from my home office most of the time) even better via email at bmeldrum@cruiseshipcenters.com to start planning your vacation. I'll be sure to respond as soon as possible.

 I guess that's it for this post.

P.S. The following links provide information on a variety of travel related topics I thought some of you might be interested in. And thanks again for considering me the next time you're thinking of taking a vacation. And... please feel free to forward this note to whomever you feel might be interested.

Vacation Value Comparison - Learn how the cost of a cruise vacation compares to a traditional hotel/resort experience.

First Time Cruisers - As a first-time cruiser, you probably have a lot of questions. Let us put your mind to rest.

Cruising With Kids - Water slides, magic shows, pizza parties, scavenger hunts, karaoke, "kids only" shore excursions, and disco parties. Who said parents get to have all the fun on a cruise?

Popular Cruise Lines - Explore the popular fleets of these floating resorts. Learn about their ships, view itineraries, and more.

On Board activities - Today’s modern cruise ships are destinations unto themselves! Restaurants, Spas, Shopping, Pools, Casinos the list goes on.

Groups - Whether you are part of a charity fundraiser, family reunion, or a sports club - a cruise is the ideal way to hold an event for any size of group. 

I've been waiting for this day for 12 or 15 years ... I can't remember...

There was a time some dozen - or more - years ago when my eldest daughter - Leigh - came home from Unionville High School, and announced that she would be taking a science course as a co-op student at Markham General Hospital ...

She was to be assigned to the admin area of the operating theatre there, checking patients in - and with luck out - throughout the morning, two or three days a week.

Perhaps 3 or 4 weeks into her 10(?) week term, she called one day to inform us that we were to notify the school that she would not be attending classes for the remainder of that particular day. She had been invited by one of the hospital's surgeons to observe - up close and personal - the removal of a tumour from a certain patient's abdomen. She was quick to point out that this particular tumour was the 'size of a basketball, dad!!!' and as such, it would be a travesty should she not get the chance to stay and watch. Life would end as she knew it, etc., etc. Leigh was 15 I think, and following the aforementioned surgery ended, we were informed in no uncertain terms that she was going to become a 'general surgeon.

Fast forward a few years and Leigh has successfully graduated from McGill with a science degree in Anatomy and Cell Biology. Throughout her stay at McGill she  - mostly - excelled, but she did stumble a wee bit in her third year for a variety of reasons - most beyond her control. Net, net, her GPA suffered and was not quite high enough for a direct shot at Med School. And - in any event - we were informed that she wasn't much interested in being a doctor any longer. So that was that!

Then... Leigh, having met a nice fellow who was to pursue a Masters degree at Dalhousie, decided to follow him there and perhaps look into more schooling (becoming a lawyer came up) , or find work of some kind. Or, at the very least, have an adventure.

A short time passed, and as fortune would have it, she met a fellow who had recently graduated Med School and was beginning his career in Halifax. Over coffee one day, he mentioned that his decision point vis a vis why he chose medicine, came down to 'not wanting to look back when he was 50 and wonder - what if?'. This single conversation was to have a profound effect on my daughter.

Shortly thereafter, she had networked her way into working for one of Canada's top Neurosurgeons; had met with the medical admission folks at Dal, and informed us that she had put together a game plan that would get her back on track to become the doctor she had dreamed of being.

Over the past 18 months, Leigh has worked her butt off, and has once again become a straight A student. She has excelled at her job with Dr. Mendez. And she has met the love of her life whom she will marry this coming July. Marg and I could not be prouder of her achievements - until today.

Today she was accepted into the St. Georges University School of Medicine. Take a peek here: (http://www.sgu.edu/international/index_ca.shtml)

She will start in early August, and beyond fulfilling her dreams, she has made Marg and my decision as to where in the world to get out of the Canadian winters sooooo much easier... Granada/Barbados here we come!

So ... Now I can safely worry only (for a while) about #2: Heather... Why, I really can't realistically figure out. SHE is finishing up her MBA - also at Dal - and having negotiated her way through full time schooling; full time  consulting in her partnership - 'Wakeside'; full time TAing, and yes: full time girlfriend... she will graduate this spring one of the top of her class. Surely some enlightened employer will see her tremendous potential, and snap her up. Then she will be on her way too.

In the mean while, this particular dad is destined to worry - despite all the evidence that it is not really necessary.

It's just what I do.