Learning experiences

The past year and a half has been a time of great learning and growth for myself. I have come to realize how much I took for granted at home. I have taken my wife, family and friends for granted, have always expected them to be there, just a phone call away. They are no longer a phone call away. Half a world away, obstacles are intruding upon my freedom and ability to communicate with those I love and care for. Obstacles such as time zones, sleep and work schedules, and the simple price of a phone call. A phone call can range anywhere from 6 to 42 cents a minute. Those prices have a tendancy to hit the pocket book hard. Since I have been here, I have gone through almost $1000 worth of phone cards, out of my pocket. I currently am stocked on phone cards, as I received a stack of 300 minute phone cards from the USO. Other things, like waking up next to my wife, had been taken for granted. There were times when I wish she would just leave me alone for five minutes, but, now, I would give anything just to be alone with her for five minutes. The freedom to be able to jump in your car, run down to Wal-Mart and grab a few things. Things that you do in everyday life are excruciatingly difficult to do here (or at least get away with.) I do not have the option of answering my phone at three in the morning, I am required to. As part of my job, if an emergency arises, I am the third person to be notified. You know how difficult it is to get up at three, go to your office, take care of something, then try to go back to sleep? Alas, I am complaining, and I should not be, so, with that, I shall sign off. Until next time, I am Loran Hatfield and I approve this message.