A journey begins

I woke up with this quote reverberating in my head.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with just one step"

Christmas Eve

My mind is full of a bunch of things, but I'll try to keep this concise. I just came back from a Christmas Eve service at my cousin's church out in McLean. I'm not sure what denomination the church is, but it was much more liturgical and "high church" than I am used to. There were some things I didn't understand (like the procession of the cross), some things I understood, but hadn't seen in a while (an actual introit), and some things that were very familiar to me (lots of Christmas hymns). Regardless of familiarity and my comfort level with certain practices I see as slightly ritualistic, it was a great time to reflect and collect my thoughts about Christmas and Jesus.

Then, on the way home, I heard a song that I think about all year long, but I only ever hear it at Christmastime. It's called "A Strange Way to Save the World". Just after that, I drove back into sight of the city and realized this is the first Christmas I've ever spent in the city -- any city.

Yeah, I'm ready for Christmas now.

Is today longer?

Now that we've passed the Equinox, I'm enjoying the extended daylight.

Yes. I'm joking.

Weekend of Demarcation

It seems as though this weekend is a line of demarcation in my life... in little ways and in big ways. This weekend marks the end of work in 2007. Now that work is officially over, it seems to mark the beginning of the holidays for me. But on a sadder, and more significant, note, it marks the end of Amy and Hyla: the DC years. Today was the last day of just being there for the normal, mundane bits of "doing life" on a regular basis. We spent most of the day together, just hanging out, carrying boxes to her car, making dinner, watching a movie, chatting about boys -- some of our favorite things. But, then, inevitably, the end came and she had to leave to pick up Luke. Tomorrow, she and Luke will set out on a cross-continental journey (doesn't that sound schmancy?) and end up in a place she will soon call home.

I cried. I cried a little this morning. I cried when we actually said goodbye tonight. I cried on the couch after she left. Fortunately, Jones (Jonathan's dog that I'm watching this week) reached over with an understanding paw at the appropriate moments. I'm not sure why this is so emotional for me. I know people move... especially in DC, it's just a hazard of life. People's lives change. My friendships evolve and change all the time. I've known it was coming for months. And, yet, it has me all choked up.

So today is the line of demarcation that has my dear friend Amy living in my neighborhood, doing her DC life on one side of it and her life with Luke on the west coast on the other side. And, of course, I wish her only the very best.

I sense another line of demarcation this weekend, but I don't want to jinx it so I'll keep that to myself for now. Stay tuned for more! (I've been formulating my new year's eve post for a few weeks now in my head.)

Time to regroup

Because we have such a crazy December (and fall) at work, we get the week off between Christmas and New Year's each year. That week off starts right now! I usually have a grand plan, a detailed itinerary or a to-do list from here to Montana. Not this year, though. I have 10 days ahead of me with almost no plan at all. I'll have to say goodbye to Amy within the next 48 hours. Not incredibly excited about that. But, other than that, it should be a good, relaxing, play-it-by-ear kind of week. I'm hoping to spend a little time with Chris, build up my tights repertoire and hit the pool a lot. Everything else is negotiable. On to vacation!

Random day off

I decided to take today off for several reasons. This week is a seven day week for us - 1 concert day + 5 weekdays + 1 concert day -- voila! 7 day week. So, I decided to take a day off in the middle to give me a little break. It was also to spend a little extra time with Amy today before she leaves and time runs out. We went for a final popping man visit down on Hains Point, spent some quality time on the couch with bbq chicken and a movie and then went and worked off the chicken in the pool. I'm gonna miss that girl!

Well, back to the grindstone tomorrow.

Miracle needed

I need a job miracle. It is SO time for me to leave my position and I am really excited to use all that I've learned at MCW at some new occupational adventure. Anyways, I'm trying to be diligent and working on it, but I could use a little bit of miracle, too. I really want to try to stay in DC, but if the only (and best) opportunity I have is in a far away land, then it would be really hard to turn that down.

Also, it's incredibly, annoyingly cold here today.

Thoughts from a Saturday

As you may have guessed from my lack of posting, it's been a little crazy lately. Just a busy, busy time for my job, but the important thing is I'm here now!
Today was a real whirlwind of a day, but a great one! I got a real tree this morning for the first time ever. It's just a little chubby one, but it smells great and I love it! (Thanks to Chris for carrying it the whole way home!)
Then, after a frenzy of Christmas shopping and wrapping, I got to hear Jane Monheit in concert tonight. She's a fun performer and makes you feel like you're sitting in her living room. I want to go hear her again after she's had her baby... you could kind of get the idea that she was a little more reserved than she normally would. Anyways, that was great! I was fortunate to get a ticket to this sold-out show.
One final thought thanks to some kids on the metro:
"Why are we going back to Gallery Place? It's raining!"
"To spend time together. Because that's what families do.... spend time together."

Novel.

What a weekend!

I had a great weekend! I went to PA and killed about 3 birds with one stone. Bird 1: I got to see my parents for a little while... not enough, but still nice. It's just good to get mom-hugs sometimes.
Bird 2: We (including my brother Grant) went to my grandmother's and got her to show us the pocketwatch of family lore. Grant and I didn't know it existed until earlier this year. Apparently, my grandma and grandfather found it in a trunk in the basement of a house they bought something like 56 years ago. The trunk had civil war uniforms in it, some medals (not from the civil war, though, I don't think) and a very old pocketwatch. I believe the date on it is something like 1842. Anyways, she held onto it and showed it to us. It seems to be in pretty good condition and the intricate engraving on it is just incredible. The key is still attached and there is a 32nd degree mason eagle fob on it, too. Anyways, it's pretty cool. Check it out.
Bird 3: I took Grant to the Steelers-Browns game as a birthday present. It was his first Steelers game. I think he really loved it! It was an exciting game and a ton of fun to watch. It felt really good to be able to do something special for him like that.

Pictures of facepaint and the watch on flickr

Day 1 of Ridiculously Good Health Month

went fairly well. Good swim. Good food. yay.

An acquired skill?

I don't know what it is. I don't know if it's a different social culture or my comfort level in this city or pure dumb luck, but I had three good conversations with guys just sitting at bars today. Ok, that sounds raunchy. Nothing flirty or anything like that. Just random conversations in contrast to eating or watching the game alone. It makes me feel more like Hyla-- the girl who loves people and loves listening to them and discovering new ones.
Maybe there's just something about this city that "fits" me.

DC ballot box

Remember that picture I said I wished I had taken? Well, I got it. How great is this!

Wow.

That's the best word I can use right now. Here's a smattering of the thoughts bouncing of the walls of my brain.
- I cannot explain the feeling I get every time I'm in San Francisco. I only lived here for 6 months and I was so sick for half of it I couldn't even enjoy it. Yet, I always feel like I belong here. Maybe saying it feels like home is too dramatic, but it does seem to fit me.
- I'm going through a high-communication period with God. This is good. But, it's a little scary, too. I'm not ready to make any more big decisions or anything... who knows what will come of this.
- I was oddly emotional on the trip out here... what's up with that? I cried at Evan Almighty! Are you serious??? weird

Random people meetings, vol.2

So, my plan of recording every person I ran into didn't last long. However, today I ran into Amy (blonde Amy, for those of you that know of my long list of Amys) on the mall. I hadn't seen her in a long time! That was fun! I think it may be time to start coming out of my hole. I spent a casual afternoon with Jenn and it was great. I haven't done that in so long. I've been so focused on decompressing and now, I think I'm recovered. Time to come back out of my hole! yay!

I must start carrying my camera at all times!

Two funny things I wish I had pictures of from this week:
-- A plain white sticker stuck on a trash can in Georgetown: "DC Ballot Box (Your vote goes here)"

-- A man dragging two large suitcases behind him.
In giant letters on suitcase #1: MINE.
In giant letters on suitcase #2: NOT YOURS!

Today's score

Oversleeping the pool: -1
Getting to sleep in: +1
Finding money on the sidewalk: +2
A relatively quiet day at work: +1

So far: +3

Oh how I love thee, pool

I just had a fabulous swim in which I swam two separate 250's. Yay! I think that was the first time I swam a 250. I'm proud of myself. I shall do that again tomorrow. Yippee!!

Adventures in Oregon

So, I had this GRAND plan for Sunday. I was going to get up early and drive out to the coast to watch the sun come up (or probably, finish coming up) and then come back to watch the Steelers game followed by a few winery tastings and then the wedding. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. Kurt and I left the hotel at 7am to drive out to the coast. At approximately 7:02, we got a flat tire. (See photo illustrations below.)

At least we laughed a lot about it. So, we changed a tire and went out for breakfast instead. Not quite the ocean, but oh well.
I didn't make it to the ocean or the wineries, but I did make it to Jonathan's wedding. Congrats guys!! I have a few pics on flickr. (Warning: they're not so great)

Worst fortune EVER!

Well, I've arrived in Oregon (officially, my 40th state... I counted today... I was off, I guess.) Anyways, I decided to chill in my hotel tonight with some chinese take-out... a mistake in a small town... when will I learn?? Anyways, I got the worst fortune, EVER:
You will make many changes before settling satisfactorily.
What!?! That's horrible. Anyways, tomorrow, Jonathan gets married! Yay!

Stew bumper

I feel like I've had the depressing post up for too long so this is intended to bump it down on the page. I think of brilliant things to write every day and then every night when I actually have time, I forget what that brilliance was. More soon.