- I’d take up the cello when I was 11 instead of giving up because I’d have to sing in front of other people as part of the curriculum ;
- I’d study Latin in secondary school instead of letting people convince me that it was only useful for those who wanted to become doctors or lawyers ;
- I’d go through with my ambition of doing a PhD in linguistics instead of giving up at the very first hurdle. And I’d work on some modern non-European languages (Austronesian ? Algonquian ? Iroquoian ?) instead of old European ones ;
- I’d start doing sports much earlier.
As for my love life, where do I start ?
- I’d leave Natty in a much more mature and respectful way ;
- I’d never stay with Karen as long as I did, but take advantage of my first 2 years at University to have fun and explore ;
- I’d give a second chance to some of the girls I met. Lara and Deborah, for sure ;
- I’d divorce my ex wife much, much earlier ;
- I’d take my subsequent relationship with Gini for what it was : a beautifully self-indulgent Indian summer with an extraordinary but troubled woman rather than an unexpected second chance to start a family.