2,000 Miles never seemed so far

I wanted to first elaborate on what Amy has already said about my jobs.

I work two jobs, one for HSBC Bank and the other for Nichols School. Contrary to ignorant Utah opinion (for some reason many Utahns have never heard of it), HSBC is in fact one of the World's largest and most well-known banks. In fact, if Citi had been allowed to fail, HSBC would have become the #1 Global Bank. As it is, HSBC is #3 in the USA behind Citi and Bank of America. Kind of odd how you can be #2 in the world and #3 in the USA, but it true. HSBC is also known for its financial soundness. Fortune Magazine recently stated that HSBC was one of the most well-funded banks on earth. HSBC bases this soundness in not having become involved in sub-prime mortgages and having more money in deposits than they have lent out. This second fact is in stark contrast to WaMu's recent failure where they were estimated to have loaned out $16 for every $1 on deposit.

Nichols School is a non-denominational prep school in Buffalo and boasts some ridiculous stats. The vast majority of the kids who graduate from the school go to the school of their choice, and most of the time, that choice is Ivy League. The school's most (currently) recognizable graduate is Christian Laettner who played Basketball at Nichols, Duke University, and in the NBA. I work at Dann Memorial Rink where I drive the zamboni and basically run the whole rink on my nights (Wed and Fri). Yes, it is fun to drive the zamboni.

Now to talk more in relation to the title of the post.

As anybody reading this blog knows, I am currently separated from my family by about 2,000 miles, 7 states, two time zones, and any other way the distance could be described. For me, it is a personal hell. I love my family so much and it makes me feel empty, incomplete, not whole, to not have them with me. Much to Amy's chagrin, I spend a decent amount of time watching movies or playing video games, but not for the reasons you would think. I don't do these things because I have tons of free time and nothing to do, or because I am lazy, but rather because they provide distraction from my sad reality. And they don't do that great of a job at it either.

What is especially depressing is what I am missing in my kids development. Patrick is talking more and more clearly, and is acting more mature. He is learning primary songs and how to share toys and be nice to other kids. Stephen is talking up a storm, and recently began counting (without even being taught by either parent). He also is learning to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the Alphabet Song and sometimes confuses the two since they use the same tune. While I get to hear some of these happenings over the phone, I don't witness the majority of them. Apparently, Stephen recently had an argument with his Mother in which he decided he wanted to wear underwear and not a diaper. As relayed to me it went something like, "Uh-wear!, Uh-wear!, No Duper! No Duper!" and then he ran (butt naked) and got underwear out of a drawer. I wish I could have seen that because I would have laughed so hard at how cute and funny that was.

I miss lots of things about Amy. One of them being how cute she looks when asleep, except when she snores. Sorry hun, its true, you snore on occasion. I also miss her making Biscuits and Gravy just for me (she isn't a big fan). Mostly I just miss having my best friend around to be with, talk to, joke with, play games with, etc. The day and a half I spent on a short trip to Utah was easily the bright spot in an otherwise black last 2 1/2 months.

I miss them so much, and constantly count the days till they will be with me again. As of this post, 21 days by plane or a few more by car.

Friendship

I have been a really great friend to few people, not a good friend to most. I've only had great friends a few at a time, not even many good ones.
Just as God will only give us much when we give him all that is required of us. I can't expect people to send me an e-mail when I haven't sent them one or call me when I haven't called them. I also can't have an excuse that my life is stressful, busy and unpredictable... because almost everyone could use that as an excuse too. Being the youngest of 5 and maybe just a gift I've been blessed with, I learn a lot just from observing people...we've had a lot of communication open up with friends and family recently, which is great. I just wish it wasn't miscommunication or drama that brought us together. Thank you to all my friends and family that have kept in touch with me, and thank you to those who have been open to learning facts from me and Matthew directly. I hope and pray that we can support each other more and more as each day passes.