One final sucker punch to the arm

It’s hard to believe it has been 6 months since returning home from Manila. Today was the last time I would be going to Passport Health for Hepatitis shots. That B shot.. wow.. that one HURTS. Time has flown by, but many incredible things have happened. So I will give you a quick run down.

Many of you know that I was talking with this guy, Eddie, before I left for Manila. Actually, you may not have known his name, just known him as “The Pilot”. While I was overseas, if I had a break or was on lunch, I would make phone calls on my laptop via VoIP (isn’t technology grand?) It was cute, if Cha, Jollie, Aimee or Ron were headed down to our 2am lunch and saw me on the phone, they would ask “Pilot?” and just smile. Well, that pilot has become a very special part of my life and I don’t want to imagine it any other way. He makes me smile in a way I never knew was possible.

I’ve gone hiking out in Old Falls, NC, taken a trip to Washington, DC the weekend prior to elections, visited family in New Jersey, and made business trips to both Tampa, FL and Little Rock, AR. The company I work for has been purchased by Verizon Wireless and thankfully I am still there. Things are still being sorted out but I am still a trainer just wearing a different color shirt with a new logo.

On December 15, I walked across a stage and received my Bachelors in Business Administration from Gardner-Webb University. It was a long time coming and a lot of hard work. But I now have the degree which no one can take from me. I had a good size cheering section in the crowd as well. Mom, Dad, Tony, Angela, Alli, Nana, Poppy, Ryan, Aunt Janet, Uncle Ben, and Eddie were all able to come out to see me walk. The day before this crew and several of my friends came over to Mike & Robin’s house for a little graduation gathering. Sadly, Robin lost her grandfather, Uncle Leo, just before graduation so they left for West Virginia right after the graduation party. It was a lovely weekend and I am so grateful for those who were able to come, along with those who were there in spirit. I couldn’t have done it without all of your support through the years.

I still keep in touch with a few people in Manila. Jollie is still hoping to come to the States in the spring. I do hope to be able to see her while she is here. I think of them often and would love the opportunity to go back! My niece, Alli, and I say a few phrases in Tagalog to each other – “Alak Pa”, “Loco loco”, and of course “Mahal kita”. Though when she says “mahal kita” it comes out more like “ah hal lakita”. With my luck it is probably some bad word and no longer means I love you. But it’s cute to hear her say it. J

I hope to write more often. Now that I am not in school I am still trying to figure out my evenings and weekends. Hopefully I will get to see the Ziolkowski’s, McLaurin’s, and other friends in Charlotte more.

Check out my picasa albums for pictures from various events - http://picasaweb.google.com/dnole2

Paalom
Hugs and smiles to all!