Thanks for all the replies, I was just kinda writing things down to "think out loud," if you will, but they're certainly appreciated.
No, I can't say that I've ever been much of a reincarnationist, though I do find the idea interesting. That article was interesting too.
The bit about deja vu being memories out of order might have some merit, but I'm probably not a good test case, as I have something of a non-linear memory. That is, my memory tends to be (or at least seems to me) organized not chronologically, but by subject. To provide a visual example, it forms less of a chain, and more of a three dimensional spider's web where memories that occurred years apart, may be grouped together in my consciousness because of a similar nature and may connected to any number of others. I believe this is why I have a difficult time remembering "back to when I was X years old" but if asked about something that occurred then, I can recall details as if I were there again. Every sight, sound, smell, feeling, it's like reliving it. I'm beginning to think I might be somewhat atypical.
Anyway, the crossroads. I've got some big decisions to make, mostly related to grad-school and that sort of thing. I suppose what it comes down to is, I can't have my cake and eat it too. Right now, my post-grad ambitions are being championed by the former dean of the college (I attend a major public institution) which gives me practical free reign (at least within the university system) over what I want to do. On the other hand, my wife thinks I should stay here, and enter a program that this campus offers. Problem is, there isn't much at this campus that interests me. As she puts it, moving isn't an option. So there's a fight brewing. Maybe the last one we'll ever have. That's how serious she is, and I can't say I'm any less so.
The whole thing has been making me do a lot of introspection, and it's raised a lot of questions about me, my life, and my decisions (past, present, and future). So far, I don't have many answers. It seems that it's a game of balance, gain here and lose there.