Ralph Robb

I was born in Wolverhampton England of Jamaican parents, now live in Burlington, Ontario, Canada with my beautiful new wife Lisa, her two quirky cats and a dog who if human would be a world class eating champion.  I’m an Engineering Technician by trade but I’m also a big believer in the creative arts and freedom of expression. Writing is my passion, an escape from the real world and an adventure that I invite all my readers to take part in.  A journey through my mind-if you dare.

As a teenager I attended Colton Hills Secondary School and after graduating had no idea what I wanted to do as a career.  I remember my father giving me the lecture – ‘If you’re unable to find a job you’ll have to join the British Army; you’re not going to stay here if you intend to waste your life watching TV all day.’ –  So, I went out and earned an apprenticeship in a brass stamping and machining company. This enabled me to later advance to higher education at Wolverhampton Polytechnic.

Sports played a major part of my life growing up in a tough industrial town. Whether it was football (soccer), track & field or rugby, but it was karate that truly captured my heart. Studying at one of Britain’s toughest and most successful karate clubs, I found myself on the receiving end of several British individual and team titles. As a member of the British Karate team at the under-21 level, I won a silver medal at the European Championships.

Emigrating to Canada was a huge shift in my life: moving from the secure and into the unknown. Although difficult at first, we managed to carve a good living for our family. So far, I have managed (God knows now) to raise four kids into wonderful adults.

Working within a small engineering company I’ve had the opportunity to wear a variety of hats. Which has abled me to see the world given its global reach. I consider myself gifted to have been able to experience destination such as Japan, Russia, Chile, Brazil, Australia and Jordan to name a few and to have experienced the cultures that I otherwise would never have the privilege.

I recently was given a quote found by a good friend in the UK that holds a lot of meaning to me: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, beer in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming Woo Hoo…. What a ride!” Another friend of mine, who was incarcerated for a short period of time, would often say in letters he’d sent to me – no matter how down he sometimes felt he always had the opportunity to see the sky and the sun. At first I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about but now I realize he was saying the vastness and wonder of what we take for granted always brought him back into perspective. I often try and put this same philosophy into practice whenever life seems to be getting the better of me – live in the moment.

Since meeting my wife, Lisa, she has opened my eyes to hobbies I would never have tried. I am now the proud owner of a Yoga mat, I take the occasional hike and I’m cooking beyond my usual egg and beans.  Gordon Ramsay look out!