Hyla.com is taken!

So, every now and then I google my name just to see what people can find about me out there on the interwebs. Today, I went to google it and noticed hyla vacuum pop up in the drop-down suggestions. Not only is there a Hyla vacuum... the website is hyla.com! Awesome (and strange) things from the website:
- a graphic with a mailbox that simply says, "Hyla"
- "HYLA will support you so that you can achieve your goals."
- "You can build a professional future with HYLA."

Also, please note their logo.

http://www.hyla.com.au/home

Thing 3

Thing 3: I love being around people, but I prefer to spend time with one or two other people rather than with a large group. Maybe it's because I'm selfish and a spotlight hog, I'm not sure. It's one of the things I love about being in a relationship, too, because I get someone's undivided attention.

Hot water and stressful dreams

I got the hot water fixed! Yay! I had been taking super-quick showers since I moved in here b/c my hot water (which really wasn't all that hot) was only lasting about 5 minutes or so. However, I adjusted the hot water heater (apparently, it's a double-boiler... who knew?) and now I am able to have a comfortable shower. That's a relief. I have a few little kinks to work out in this apartment to make sure this is a place I want to buy. That's one more down.

I think that our dreams probably tell a lot about us. My recurring nightmares aren't so much scary as stressful. The common theme is not being able to get somewhere or to get something done. Last night, I dreamed that I was trying to get home, but I kept missing my train stop. Then, somehow I ended up at someone else's house and in the morning, I gathered up all of my stuff, but everytime I went to get it, it was missing. I couldn't find my belongings, which meant that I just kept getting later and later. I was so frustrated I almost started crying in my sleep. So, apparently, I have a fear of being late. Ugh. I hope I don't have that again for a while.

This is what I live for!

I spent the last 24 hours or so on the Alpha Getaway. I got to see people visibly wrestling with their beliefs. I heard people discussing the ways their thoughts and lives were being stretched. I got to see people praying together, building really meaningful relationships and bonding over deep spiritual issues. Seeing people discover a new dimension of God or find a slightly new way to view their faith.... for me, this is the stuff of life. And, I'm so grateful that I get to be a part of it.

The Garbage Truck Time Warp

So, I was walking home tonight and a garbage truck passed me and all of a sudden, I realized something. At all of the places I've lived in the last five years or so, the garbage collectors have come at 6am. How do I know that, you ask? Well, when a huge garbage truck pulls up, picks up a dumpster and empties the contents into the truck and then compacts them with world's loudest trash compactor, you notice. Especially, if it's 6 in the morning. So, this brings me to the weird part of this realization.
How is it possible for all the trash to be collected at 6 in the morning? Either I have extraordinary luck in moving to all the places scheduled for 6am trash pickup or there is something fishy going on here. I propose that garbage trucks actually live in some sort of parallel universe where time is warped and they can continually be picking up trash and it will perpetually be 6am at each of their pickup stops. Who can confirm this? Surely, there must be someone out there who is a DC trash collector.

Things 1 and 2

So, this is the first of a series. You may have seen the "25 things about me" posts on Facebook. Well, I am tempted by the idea, probably mostly because I have unhealthy self-obsession, but I am overwhelmed by trying to do that in one sitting. So, instead, I have decided to jot down one or two here when I think of them. Then, I can compile them later if I decide I want to share them on another forum. So:
Thing 1: I confess that I have fallen asleep in my bed cradled by only the glow of my laptop on more than one occasion.
Thing 2: I don't own a car and yet, still insist on taking the bus the whole way across town to Trader Joe's rather than walking four blocks to Safeway.

Fighting through

I'm gonna be honest here. This isn't the greatest weekend of my life. I have absolutely no reason to dislike this weekend. It's actually very quiet... absolutely no plans and plenty of time to organize, clean and plan my life (and oh, how I love planning!). But, I'm not loving it. I'm begrudging it. This is one of those times that I really hate being single. What, you ask, does being single have to do with this? Well, here's the thing. If I was attached, this weekend would be the perfect opportunity to actually spend some relaxing time together. We could laze around, run errands and I wouldn't feel so lonely doing "nothing". However, doing nothing alone is really hard for me to get excited about.
Perhaps, it also has something to do with the fact that I'm essentially trying to get over a break-up all over again. I really am trying to move on, but it is so very, very difficult when you really love the person and you're the one shutting the door. It just really isn't fair. Never in a million years did I think I would be in this situation. Or, that this was even possible.
Ok, off to the store. I have to try to get myself out of this funk. More later.

A gorgeous spring weekend with a friend

Well, this is just all very intimidating. I haven't blogged in such a long time that I can't even begin to catch you up. Nor can I do an adequate job of picking a topic or two that would bridge the gap. And, of course, when I feel pressure to write, I can't write at all. So, who knows what the next paragraph or so out of my fingers will end up being!
This weekend, my dear friend Gail came to DC for her annual visit. In the past, she's come in January when it is freezing cold and we kind of shuttle from indoor event to cab to indoor event, etc. But, this year, it was absolutely gorgeous out... in the 60s and 70s. So, we took advantage of the weather to stroll around some great areas, like Eastern Market and Georgetown. And, of course, we hit a good restaurant along the way. Last night, we had dinner at Proof. Yummy, yummy. Great wine, perfectly prepared food and a really nice server. I give them two thumbs up and a "Y'all should go there." I had duck. I love duck. Yummy. (hee -- I accidentally typed yuppy.. lol)
Now, I have all of Sunday evening to just decompress and prepare myself for the week. Maybe I'll just go home and make a yummy little dinner. well, hopefully, I will be a better blogger from here on out.