Yeah, he's pretty awesome. I totally know what you mean with the jewelry thing, I never seem to wear any, but if someone buys me something nice I wear it every day until something happens to make wearing it awkward.
let me know when you are in chicago and we can get together. people that i don't hate when i meet them deserve to be in my company, for their own good.
and i think you and my girlfriend would have fun conversation.
Distance sucks. My girlfriend and I went through the same thing when she would go home (from college) for the summer, and for about a year after college until I moved to Colorado. It was hard, but after a while you get used to it. In a weird way it makes the time you DO have together a little more special.
Yay presents! 
Glad to see you back.