Oh no... Another one

Do you remember the first post that I wrote while traveling on the plane to OZ?  In that first post I pondered divine providence and wondered about the lessons that I might learn while on this trip to Australia.  Either I was correct, or there is a whole lot of coincidence happening lately.  

I had just exited the Firemonkeys building and started for home when an outrageously beautiful girl/lady stopped me for directions.  She explained that she had just gotten off a tram only to realize that it was the wrong stop.  Visibly panicked, she went on and on about how she only recently arrived from Perth and she normally didn't travel alone...  It was a lengthy introduction to say the least.  Finally she had to breathe, so I seized the moment and asked her where she was going.  For a moment I actually felt like a local!  I said a moment...   Anyway, as it turns out we are both staying at the same hotel.  This should have been my first sign, but while my body was walking toward home, my mind was still at work.  I explained that I was staying at the same hotel and offered to walk with her.  The commute to work (walking) takes no more than two minutes at the most.  I know, its a grueling daily commute-LOL!  Tonight's walk would prove to be different.  This strange person, who mere moments ago I never knew existed, was about to make an impact on my life and change it forever.

Her name is Cynthia, and she is in Melbourne because her best friend is getting married tomorrow.  Cynthia went on to explain that she was extremely nervous because this was her first time ever traveling alone (yes, she was being repetitive).  Her father is in the gold mining business in Perth, and by the sounds of things she comes from an affluent background.  By the time Cynthia entered college she had already travelled most of Europe with her family.  They frequented the French Riviera and the Swiss Alps on a regular basis.  She was also quite familiar with Greece and the west coast of the United States.  Her personality wasn't arrogant or pretentious, this was just the lifestyle she had always known.  Truth be known, she was really nice.  

We arrived at the hotel just as Cynthia began to tell me about the "boy" she met during her Sophomore year in college.  I could see that tears were building up in her eyes, but I was afraid to make matters worse by asking her what was wrong.  Memories are known to make people teary eyed sometimes, so I made no mention.  As we walked the few steps from the sidewalk to the lobby I wished Cynthia a pleasant stay in Melbourne.  My thoughts quickly shifted from Cynthia to the leftover work that I brought home to complete for tomorrow.  Just as the elevator door was about to close I heard my name called from the direction of the lobby.  Guess who?  

A huge part of me wanted to just push the elevator button and pretend that I didn't hear my name being called.  I mean a HUGE part of me!  Not because there was anything wrong with Cynthia, but something in my gut just told me that I needed to talk to her; therefore, I didn't want to talk to her.  Read it again and it will make complete sense to those of you who have known me for any length of time.  Nevertheless, I stopped the door from closing and stepped out of the elevator.   There was no turning back now!

As I stepped from the elevator I could see that Cynthia's eyes were swollen red from the tears that still flowed down her face.  I knew the question that I was supposed to ask, but again I hesitated.  It seemed liked forever (it was probably only a second or two) before I finally brought myself to ask the question that would change the course of my night.  What's wrong Cynthia?  The words just came out. 

It is said that every story has a beginning and an end.  My journey to OZ is teaching me that this notion may be false.  Perhaps there are only beginnings?  Regardless, I will save the rest of Cynthia's story for tomorrow, which is actually a new beginning.   It's safe to say that Cynthia and I will remain friends for eternity.  In fact, I bet most everyone that reads her story will end up loving her!

As I finish writing today's blog entry I can't help but think about how lucky I am.  Thanks to Electronic Arts I am able to explore a new country, meet new people, and uncover pieces of myself that I never knew existed.  I am a lucky man to have such a great job and to be surrounded by people invested in my success.   

Until tomorrow...