"The Road Not Taken" Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that, the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet, knowing how way leads onto way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -- Robert Frost
There are people in this world that are born very lucky; when the angels and heavenly bodies looked upon them, they granted some people beauty, some with brains, and a lucky few received a loving home that provided good brooding too. I have a friend, Cindy, who was blessed with all of these qualities: beauty, brain and brood. For the past 14 years, no matter what I do or where I am, she has influenced me, and she'll always be a part of me.	Cindy who was blessed with all of these qualities: beauty, brains and brood
	Whatever Cindy did, she was good at it. She was one of those over-achievers without-trying, kind of person: Class President, Winner of the Ernest Hemmingway English Award, Winner of the History Award, Symphony Band President and Scholarship Recipient, music scholarship to Yale University and making the Dean's List with a 3.5 and above GPA every term. As a student, she was always quiet, shy and never boastful. She's never angry or upset at anybody or anything and always had a way to make other people feel important. Her days were spent reading Shakespeare, drinking Earl Grey Tea and listening to soft classical music by Bach in the background.
She's incredible, amazing and talented in her art of playing the oboe. Her ambitious dream was to make it into an established city symphony orchestra. Of course the chances of making it to that level was fiercely competitive. Cindy tried, knowing that she might fail and see 15 years of practice blowing her reed and driving to private lessons evaporate into nothing, but she once told me she would have felt as if she didn't really live a full life if she didn't give her dream a chance.	she once told me she would have felt she didn't really lived a full life if she didn't give her dream a chance.
I respected her integrity and commitment. And now as I sit here typing away into my computer after visiting her small one-bedroom apartment with a leaky rusty bathroom faucet on the fourth-floor of Queens, N.Y. she shares with her husband (also a music major) of four years, I think to myself sadly, she didn't make it. Her dream of playing in an orchestra never came true. She never became a famous oboe player or played beautiful music by Beethoven or Bach. Her oboe is packed in its case, stored away in the attic collecting dust, because she has to work a regular job to pay the rent and can't survive chasing her dream. What she ended up with is a $50,000 debt from Yale University, even with scholarship. Her current job is ironic; she works behind the scene in the fund raising department of the Metropolitan Opera. Her dream was to play up front in the orchestra, not behind the scenes. As the years passed, her practicing of her music became less and less and eventually stopped. And I wonder, were all those years of practicing, training and expenses worth it?
"If a rose bloomed but no one had the chance to smell it and appreciate it, at least it had the chance to bloom, to live its life."	She smiled at me, pet her cat and answer without hesitation, "yes." If she never tried she would never have met her husband or had the chance to live in New York and see great operas and listen to other people play in the orchestra. "What? You don't feel a hint of jealousy towards those who made it?" I asked. "No, I had the chance to try. Besides I try to look at the bright side, if I made it, my marriage probably wouldn't, with all that touring and odd hours." "How about all the money and time you put into it?" "It made me a richer person, it really did. I don't regret a moment of my life." "And you don't feel like it's a waste…" "If a rose bloomed but no one had the chance to smell it and appreciate it, at least it had the chance to bloom, to live its life."
Her words echoed the truth in so many ways about how we all live our lives by the choices we made. Sure, with her brains and beauty she could have chosen a more secure occupation, but it would have meant never fulfilling a yearning passion for something she loved, which was music. And life is that way, a gamble. Sometimes, some people win in their gamble, and sometimes they lose.
And life is that way, a gamble
What we are taught is that an occupation that brings high money also brings high security and fulfillment. We are instilled in the belief that that is what we must accomplish. In a way, money is a necessity for a certain amount of security of food and shelter, but it is not always a fulfillment. Fulfillment is to answer to a yearning in your soul to do what move and inspires you.
As for my friend Cindy, she felt fulfilled to have had the chance to try, to take that gamble in life. True, she didn't become financially successful, but she did have the chance to learn, appreciate and fulfill her desire to study what she loved. I would have been happy for her if she made it, but in a way she has made it. She appreciates the life she has chosen without regret, bitterness or sadness but content with the personal richness of a simple home, a loving husband and the pleasure to at least be around what she loves. Her life has not been a waste. She had a chance to bloom, ' and that has made all the difference.' Written by: Areeya Chumsai
Add your comments / Suggestions below :) MAN GOOZ KARDAM! BOO GAND MEE DEH!! AREH?!! TOO-HAM GOOZ BEDE! da persian <sdfds@sdfsdf.com> from lsana090-0345.splitrock.net on Wednesday, June 07, 2000 at 11:09:03 Sawadee Krupp! I like this page very much!!!! I personally think that I am in love with Thailand. I am in love with the people, food, places, art, literatureand history of Thailand, the land of free people. I am non-Thai Doctor who stayed in Bangkok for a couple of months. Long live Thaiand nitnoy nitnoy <nitnitnoy@yahoo.com> from cf1-19.isu.net.sa on Saturday, April 15, 2000 at 04:03:54 I like the page, one thing that turned me on about it was the fact i like Robbert Frost. :-). David <Mavamos@i-plus.net> from 164.106.123.116 on Thursday, April 06, 2000 at 03:49:04 This is what I got after I read your story. I think the definition of success in life depends on what we expected it to be, what we really want from our lives. Someone told me that this world is not always fair - you tried something so hard, it doesn't mean that you will always get what you want. I agree with that but I also think that happiness doesn't have to come when we are successful, it might come when you enjoy what you're doing. Like your friend, she loves music, it doesn't mean that she must be a famous musician to be happy and I think she knows very well how to enjoy her life. jarurat <jarurat@u.washington.edu> from icarus.aa.washington.edu on Saturday, January 08, 2000 at 08:28:43 Please pass this message to Areeya Sirisowpa (if this is a different person) as the guestbook at the homepage doesn't work. I think that I detect some malice in her life story and perhaps she should be less self-proud and listen more to your writings. Thais do laud other Thais who have studied in the West and lived there and this alone can offer great possibilities on their return. However this, both from the point of view of having been taken to the USA as a child (did not choose this path herself) and from the aspect of Thai culture that elevates such returning Thais to such a high status, should simply make her feel thankful and lucky. Many people work just as hard and study etc but may not be treated with such awe despite all of their great qualities and achievements. It never looks good to be too over-indulgent in one's good fortune for you never know when life may turn on itself and make you humble again. Money and physical beauty aren't everything. Fate that brought you to where you are and the reaction which makes your life subsequently comfortable - despite all of the unfortunate people around you who don't have such easy security - should not be taken for granted or used for egotistical purposes. Paul <thiravada@yahoo.com> from p-41-virgin1.tch.virgin.net on Saturday, December 11, 1999 at 18:21:57 I've always loved this poem as one of my favourite ever poems from school way back. It has also come true as I took a road less travelled by - meeting someone in an unexpected place and time and falling in love - and it has made all the difference. Paul <thiravada@yahoo.com> from p-41-virgin1.tch.virgin.net on Saturday, December 11, 1999 at 17:56:51 This is a sad story in a way. I think that people who study hard and try their best should have a chance of begin succsessful. I enjoy you work very much. It's good to know that there are some talent people out there. You also sound like you're a down to earth person unlike some other celebrity. Question for you: What is the next thing that you want to do beside writing? Are you coming back to visit the U.S something soon? I hope you do. If you have time please answer my questions I would appriciate it:-) bye lan lan <lan22rsa@hotmail.com> from s072.sci1.stthomas.edu on Friday, September 24, 1999 at 22:57:29 i am a low class girl. Can you teach me how to write good? i dont't have anyone to depend on. Please answer me. i like your story it was very intellegent. thank you, cindy cindy <none> from fw1xlate1.mayo.edu on Saturday, August 14, 1999 at 05:35:21 Ah, yes, one more thing: Thank you for enriching my life as well with your work. Rich Richard <Richmmoss@aol.com> from spider-tn034.proxy.aol.com on Tuesday, July 13, 1999 at 10:53:18 Areeya, I am a successful American guy, and yet I am touched by your literary art work. I am a lover of people, of the human spirt. I am unique and one of a kind. Do you recognize an unfortunate theme? Yes, I am self-centered. Taken one step beyond this level of maturity, I ask: could you please tell me what you know about selflessness? There must be something I can learn. Perhaps eternal love itself. Sincerely, Richard Richard Moss <Richmmoss@aol.com> from spider-tn034.proxy.aol.com on Tuesday, July 13, 1999 at 10:51:22 Hello Ms. Areeya Chumsai, How are you doing?? 8) I've only read two of your written works but already I respect and agree with your opinions. You are a talented person and very high in confidence. You are strong mentally. Glad to know that there are people who have similar qualities. I read your "Definition of a Strong Women", somehow I was satisfied after reading it. Well, I look forward to reading more of your works. Roxanne in Cali. Roxanne Witayaphum <Cher0obic@aol.com> from spider-wl034.proxy.aol.com on Thursday, June 17, 1999 at 02:13:15 Dear Mrs. Chumsai, I very much enjoyed this latest story and in a way it clarifies your views on life which in the past seemed somewhat hard and without compassion after I read "The Suicide Note". Perhaps the "weak" farmer should have chosen another road to take rather than suicide. Maybe we should have a little compassion for those who are not as strong as ourselves. Just a thought. Your stories are enjoyable, even if I don't agree with you all the time. Chris Roach <CRoach1318@aol.com> from 98cd5799.ipt.aol.com on Thursday, June 03, 1999 at 11:42:47 Please post your comments on this page. Enter your message in the form on your right. Name: E-mail: Your Message: *