My 2 year anniversary

Exactly 2 years ago today, some friends came over to my house just north of Philly, helped me pack all of my earthly belongings into a UHaul (which took all of 20 minutes) and said Goodbye as I ventured toward my next city. I had just sold my car that morning which left me with my flute as my sole possession of any worth. My father likes to point out that I came to DC with no job, no apartment and no car. That's not all entirely true (I did have a part-time retail gig), but the point remains. But, those are really just things... it was the starting over part that was harder than finding an apartment and a job. It's been good, though. I was fortunate to find a great church that June and I've made some really great friendships there (in addition to the great ones I already had here!). Just this weekend someone said to me, "You've only been here 1 1/2 years? You seem to know everyone!"
So, I guess I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on the ways my life is different than it was two years ago. Two years ago, I didn't have a full-time job. I was pretty close to actually being depressed about it, which is why I decided to try a complete change and move here. I was frustrated with not having any local friends that I could really confide in. I was scared to death of getting trapped in a room with Hill staffers and lobbyists. And, I wasn't completely sold on my church and more importantly, I wasn't 100% sold on my faith. I was ready to make big changes and I wasn't really above making those changes outside of my beliefs. Things are completely different now! Praise God! I have a job and though I complain about it, it's not awful... it could be much, much worse. I have some really great friends, the kind I can call up at the last minute for coffee or drinks. I am confident that if I got stuck in a room with Hill-types that I would come out sane... or at least, alive. And, most importantly, I have a church that I really enjoy being a part of and giving back to. No, actually, that isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is that my life is recentered around my faith once again. My focus has been restored and for the first time in my life, I feel as though I've started to understand how real life and my faith can exist in the same space -- without partitions.
Life is good. And, I'm going to go ahead and say it... I know I'll be sorry I put it in "ink" later, but here goes... I really like DC right now.

Snow!!!

Yesterday, it snowed that perfect kind of snow where you scoop up a handful and it automatically turns into a snowball. The kind that sticks on the branches 3 inches thick. The kind that turns me into a little kid. So, I called up my friend Dennis and insisted we go play in the snow. We ended up going out to Great Falls, VA (I had never been there before) and we hiked and snowballed and built a snowman (see exhibit A) and I even made a snow angel. It was so fun!! I'm still smiling! More pics are here

News Items in Hyla's life

1 - We got a new toilet. Now the bathroom is one less part institutional-looking and one more part normal apartment-looking.
2 - My brother and sis-in-law launched their church on Sunday. Over 200 people showed up for the first week! I am so excited for them and for what God wants to do through them in their exploding community!
3 - There is a very good chance that the reign of the nosering is coming to an end. I have mixed emotions... I don't want to lose my funky, semi-rebellious streak.... I'll have to look for a new "signature".
4 - I have been reminded once again that DC has NO clue how to deal with snow. Perhaps, just perhaps, plows should get out and clear the snow in the first 24 hours. Maybe we shouldn't just clear the main streets and then wait for the rest to melt. Just a thought!
5 - The order of these news items is in no way related to their significance.

A few good things

I've been feeling pretty negative over the last month or so and so I thought I would write a few positive thoughts to counteract that.
- I got a great, sexy tank that I needed for an event for $5 on Sunday!
- My friend Amy has returned to her status as front page Amy with her leading story tomorrow! Congrats, Ames!
- I bought a different version of the Bible last week and I'm totally enjoying reading it... yay God!
- My brother and sis-in-law launch their church this weekend after many, many months of work and prayer. double-yay for God!!
- I did not get frostbite this morning even though I made a poor choice and wore a skirt with no tights.