Love story : Dee and Dang

The Lonely Part of the Night.

It is now 2:00 AM on the day of my flight to NYC. Because I work third shift, I am up when the rest of the world is asleep. It’s quiet, very quiet… I enjoy the peace of this time of night (or morning, depending on how you look at it), but I am also haunted by it.

It is no surprise to me that this is referred to as the lonely part of the night; it’s true. Although, I am heading to NYC to spend a few days with some of my dearest friends, I can’t help but feel lonely…and somewhat sad.

In a couple of hours, I will go for a run. That should get the blood to pumping and the spirits lifted.

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Got to See an Old Friend Today.

This evening, before I went to work, I got to see an old friend, Noah. I hadn’t seen him since my graduation on August 11. So, it was nice to get to visit with him for a while.

It amazes me how much life can occur in the course of a couple months. When we sat down to talk, there were many stories to be told- some quite pedestrian, some terribly interesting. Noah is a paramedic…so, there is usually something fantastic to hear about his job. Honestly, sometimes, I do not know how one copes with such a career.

I am off to NYC early Sunday morning, and I will be gone for just a little under a week. Then, I have to work a week before I get another day off. But, we are hoping that on that weekend I get off, we may actually get to take that camping trip we’ve been planning. I hope so. There’s nothing quite like sharing a beer or two over a crackling campfire talking to an old friend.

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I Got the Days that I Needed off.

Well, when I arrived to work today, I found that my boss had given me all the days off that I had requested. I thought that I would get two of the days, but not three. That was a very nice surprise, for that means that I get an extra day in NYC!!!

So, now that I know that I have the days off that I needed to make the trip, all I have to do is “iron out” the details with Jennifer and Michael. I should be able to wrap everything up today concerning the trip.

Needless to say, I’m very excited.

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Still No Word on NYC.

I still do not know if I am going to get the days off that I need to go to NYC. The schedule hasn’t been made, as of yet.

I would have liked to have known by now, but it’s o.k. My boss is a very busy lady…she has so much to contend with during the day. I wouldn’t dare speak ill of her, for I quite like her. She’s been very good to me. So, I can wait another day. She doesn’t need added pressure from me.

I’m still keeping my fingers crossed, though.

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Received an Invitation to NYC Today.

Today, early this morning, I got an invitation from Jennifer to come up this week to visit her and the family in NYC. She said that the weather would only be nice for a bit longer and that now is the time to come. Plus, I’ve yet to meet little Sophia, which is really quite a shame.

I think that I will try to go. At first, I didn’t think that I would be able to. But, as I was running this evening, I thought of a way that I may be able to make it. First, I realized that I already have this Sat. and Sun. evening off. Then, it occurred to me that next weeks schedule has yet to be made.

“Maybe, if I can get my days off for the early part of the week, I may be able to make it to NYC. Eureka!!!”

So, I have requested Mon. Tue. and Wed. evening off. If I can get those, then I should be able to fly up on Sat. and fly back Thurs. That’ll give me 4 to 5 days. Not a bad little trip- not too short and not too long.

I hope that it works out that I can go,for I have yet to meet Sophia, and I’ve not seen Jenn and Michael since Christmas. Way too long!!!

I should know something by tomorrow; if not by tomorrow, then by Wed. at the latest.

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A Lot to BeThankful for.

I have to say that it is easy for a man to go through his life without ever taking measure. But it is truly a shame to do so. Without ever doing so, one can take a great deal for granted.

As I sit here at my grandparents house, I see that I have a lot to be thankful for. First of all, I have some of the kindest grandparents in the world. They have played a major part in the man that I am. There generosity, kindness, and thoughtfulness have been a steady guide in a life that, at times, has known great turbulence. Granny and Pa, I love you.

As I think about my grandparents, I must also think of the beautiful daughter they raised, my mom. Mom is singularly the strongest person I know. Mom has bore a burden for her children that no woman should ever have to bear. I can’t go into details, but my mom has been a rock- sound, unmoving, and timeless. Mom, I love you.

Mom is responsible for not only me, but my sister as well. Not only was she my rock, she was hers. Growing up, we fought like most brothers and sisters. But as we have grown older, I have realized that I would not have a life without my little sister. Amanda, is my buddy. She understands me like only a sister can. To her, I can bear my soul. She is a mother of two beautiful children, wife to a great guy, and I’m proud of the family she has helped build with Gary. Sis, I love you.

Like I said, Amanda is married to a great guy- Gary. He is the polar opposite to the rest of our family. We are a group of “high-strung” people, and he is laid-back, and easy going. He balances Sister out like no one else can. He’s smart and gentle, a real asset to our family. Gary, you are not only my brother-in-law, you are a friend, and I love you.

Speaking of husbands, my mom’s husband, my step dad Marvin is a man’s man. When he met my mom all those years ago, our family was a mess. We had just come through a devastating few years (no family should suffer like ours did). I mention this only because it is an important part of Marvin’s story with our family. My mom was in pain and he healed her. Not only did he heal her,but he aided my sister and I as well. Through Marvin, I learned that it takes more than biology to be a father. Marvin is the head of our house, and I give him all the respect of a father. Marvin, I can only hope to be half the man you are, and I love you.

Amanda and Gary have two gorgeous children, Malachi and Madison. They are good kids, and I think their mom and dad are doing a wonderful job raising them. They are smart and loving. When I get hugs and kisses from those little darlings, my heart melts. They are a blessing not just to me, but to the whole family. Uncle loves you two.;)

I have an old friend, my longest-running friend, Noah, who has been a positive influence on my life for about twenty-four years now. Noah is a gentle giant. He’s a big man with a big heart to match. I don’t get to see you enough old friend, but you are a part of who I am, and I know that if I never saw you, I would still have a true and loyal friend. Just call, and I’ll be there whenever you need.

And, finally, let me mention my dear friend, my dearest friend, Noo-Dang. She has made the most profound change in my life that I have ever experienced. Through her, I’ve learned so much more than I ever thought I could. None of you know her yet, but you will some day. Someday, when you meet her, you will know what it means to be beautiful, kind, generous, intelligent, gracious, humorous, adventurous, and just all-around cool. I promise, you will be stunned as I am stunned. You will be moved, amazed, and, in the end, thankful to have met her. She will make you want to be a better person and live a better life, as she has me. To you, my dearest friend, my feelings are for you and you only.

As you can see, I am a fortunate man, and I should take measure daily so that I never forget that. Maybe, you should to.

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The Love Affair with Sweets is Ending.

Earlier tonight, I went to the store and picked up a pint of ice cream. I thought to myself, “I haven’t had anything sweet in a while and it’s been even longer since I had any ice cream.” So, I picked up a pint of Ben and Jerry’s to celebrate my night off.

I got home, put on a pot of coffee, and set down to enjoy and old favorite- Cinnamon Bun ice cream. I know, it sounds strange, but I really like it (at least, I use to). I figured I would eat the whole pint during the night (I usually do), but it didn’t work out that way.

Something unusual is happening as far as my eating habits are concerned… I’m loosing my desire for things like sweets and sodas. Now, I never was one to consume much of either one; not because I didn’t want to, but because I never liked being a gluten.

Anyway, I am eating my ice cream and I can’t even eat a quarter of it. It wasn’t that I was full, but it was that I didn’t find it satisfying- no real pleasure was derived from it. In the back of my mind, I am thinking that I would much rather have an apple.

I am encouraged by this development, for it falls in line with my thoughts on food and my desire to live a healthier lifestyle. Although, I am encouraged, I can not say where my recent eating behaviors stem from. The best that I can do is speculate.

As far as speculating goes, I have a two-part theory as to why the change. One, I am running more than ever. It’s gotten to the point to where running isn’t an activity, it’s a part of who I am. When one looks at me, they very well may now see a runner. Two, I have so much that is positive in my life. I am busy with things that I really enjoy; I have a dream that I am perusing that I truly believe in; I have a loving family; and, although I don’t get to talk to them often, I have dear friends that I love and that love me. I think that having so much going on that is positive, and that having people that I know care about me, makes it unnecessary to be distracted by food. I still enjoy food, but eating is not the primary function of my life; it’s in the background (where it should be).

Side Note: I mentioned positive influences in my life (things I enjoy, family, and friends), but I can’t fail to mention that there is one person that stands out… a dear friend. Although this friend will remain nameless, out of respect, she knows who she is, and I know she will be reading this. To her, I want to say, thank you for being the best influence in my life. I adore you.

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Day Off.

Tonight, I am off from work, and I must say, it feels rather odd to be awake at home at 1:30 AM. I am trying to stay awake as long as I can, so that I can acclimate to working 3rd shift auditing.

I like working 3rd shift. At the hotel, it’s quiet and very peaceful; I quite enjoy it, but I am not sure that I enjoy being off on a 3rd shift schedule. There’s nothing going on at this time of night. I can’t go and pay bills, or visit with friends or family, among many other things I am finding.

As you know, I am visiting with my grandparents until I land a teaching contract; so, on my nights off, I have to try to be extra quiet so that I don’t disturb their sleep. That limits what I can do even further. I could watch television, but I don’t really enjoy that (I’ve lived so long without one that I just don’t watch).

I can work on my website and write in my journal. At least, I can do those things quietly. What I would really like to do is go for a run, but it feels strange to be running at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning.

If anyone has any suggestions, I’m all ears. Maybe someone knows how to cope with days off on a 3rd shift schedule.

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Talking to Noo-Dang.

This morning, after I got off from work, I talked to my dear friend, Noo-Dang. It has been quite a while since we spoke over the telephone to one another.

At first, we were met with little success connecting. We were trying Yahoo! Voice, and it wouldn’t work. Then, we tried Skype. Skype worked, but not very well- the network on one of our ends must have been slow for the day.

Even though there were frequent hang-ups, outages, and static; hearing Noo-Dang’s voice was truly a treat for me. One syllable from her is enough to bring the biggest of smiles to my face. But, I believe that she has the power to put a smile on anyone’s face- not just mine.

As I mentioned earlier, it has been a while since Noo-Dang and I have spoken over the phone. So, I haven’t got heard her spoken English in a while, and I must say,I was impressed me. I could understand her quite well, and I could tell that she was understanding me much better.

To Noo-Dang:

Noo-Dang, you never cease to amaze me. As busy as you stay with work, you have managed to find time to improve upon your English greatly. I am impressed and very proud of you.

If I can learn Thai only half as well as you have learned English, then I shall accomplished something.

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