Christmas Eve

Growing up, I was never really drawn to traditions. I prefer inventive and fresh to repeated and consistent. Many things in our house were constant and repetitive, like dinner together each evening and doing laundry on Mondays. But for some reason, holidays didn't seem to fall into that category. I seem to remember more consistency from when I was a small child, but by the time I was a teenager, every Christmas was different from the one before. Some years, we would have Christmas dinner at our house. Other times, we would go to Grandma and Pappy's. Sometimes one or both of my brothers would come home and other times, we would travel to them.
For many years, it never really bothered me, but as I got into my mid-twenties, I started to itch for my own traditions. I've tried coming up with different rituals, but most things haven't stuck. I decorated my apartment, complete with garland, lights, a tree and even mistletoe three years in a row. But, this year, I just didn't feel like I had time so I didn't. I decided one year that I would go to the National Christmas Tree every year. So far, I'm 2 for 4. Last year, I decided I would start getting a real tree each year at Eastern Market. That lasted one year. It's hard to have consistency when every year, I'm living in a different place and/or spend Christmas in a different way. I have some ideas of ways I can start spending Christmas when I'm staying in DC. I would hang a stocking on the fireplace, get my real tree again, go to Christmas Eve service and then go to the Capitol Christmas tree on Christmas. I would walk down by the skating rink and eventually make my way back up Pennsylvania Ave, stopping at any place that was open for hot chocolate. Then, I'd come home, watch Love Actually and wait for relatives to call me.
But, until then, I do have one tradition that I seem to have held onto for a long time. Every year on Christmas Eve, I sit by myself in front of the tree and read the Christmas Story from Luke 2. After all, that's what we are celebrating. Even I, a girl self-proclaimed as pro-Jesus, can forget that all too fast. Then, I sit and stare at the lights on the tree until they get blurry and I decide to go to bed. In fact, that's pretty much where I am right now.
And so, with this one, lone tradition in my pocket, I'm off to bed. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Christmas Letter Season

It's that time again. You know it well: Christmas Letter Season. I was always vaguely aware of the existence of this season, but it's only been in the last few years that my awareness has grown acute and personal. It seems that as my friends have begun acquiring spouses, pets, children, mortgages and careers, they have also acquired a desire to share their lives with their rolodex once a year, in the form of a Christmas Letter. And, so, I thought that perhaps I should share a bit of my life with you as well. However, I will follow the sentiment of a friend of mine who stated in her letter, "2008 has been a rich year filled with ups and downs and simple memories made in the routine of life." Though I was elated that according to the content of the letter, they had actually only had ups, I was just a wee bit sad that it didn't actually share the downs with me. And, so, for you, dear reader -- My Reality Christmas Letter. May it leave you with tears and joy and laughter.

Dear family and friends and foes,
I can hardly believe it's Christmas already! I'm nowhere near "ready" whatever that is, my gift list is nonexistent and my decorations are still firmly in their tupperware bin. But, I noticed the other day that the wreaths are up in Union Station so it MUST be Christmas. I know that no one really likes reading these so I will make it easier for you by skipping the flowery droll and giving you my year in bullet points.

• Last Christmas, I started dating Chris. Sometime in February, I fell in love. By summer, I wasn't sure. I broke up with the absolute love of my life in October. September-November was a living hell. I cried all the time. I'm doing better now, but it's still hard. I still love him and don't know what to do with that. It's very confusing. Thanks for asking.
  
• The job I had at the beginning of the year was kinda crappy so I quit in March. I was unemployed for four months. I found a job in July that I really like. I now do marketing for the Center for the Arts at George Mason University. The commute is 3 hours/day and that sucks.
• The apartment I lived in last year had roaches and water damage. The building management didn't seem to care. So, while I was unemployed, we had to move. We found a house that is big and nice. The problem, of course, is that it's big. Taking care of a yard is no fun. Plus, it's hot as hell here in the summer and who wants to mow? At least it's close to the metro. And, no roaches.
  
• My brother and sister-in-law have had a great year at their church. Unfortunately, finances are a bitch and they lost their house. That totally sucks. Their son is pretty much the cutest thing on earth, though.
• Mom and dad and my other brother and his family seem to be doing well, though.
  
• I'm still pro-God.
• My good friend Amy moved away, got married and knocked-up (in that order). She's psyched.
  
• In the next year, I plan to implement my secret plan to take over my workplace and then start pursuing my MBA. That will take a long time, but it's free so that's cool. Too bad I have to take the GMAT.

Thanks for reading. Until next year, have a merry and roach-free year!
Hyla