"I Need Tweed"

I've needed a cellphone for about 4 months. There have been too many times I have missed connecting with someone because I'm on the subway for over an hour when plans change. I thought being unattached would be kinda nice, but really, in a foreign country, you need to be attached. That's all there is to it. So a few of the girls from church decided that yesterday would be a good time to pick me up a portable yapper. It was a team mission, but Sharon and Hilary really took charge. We made our way to Techno Mart, and browsed the ginormous selection of cellphones - complete with gaming systems, digital compasses and GPS', and a breathalizer. Right on. Not that I splurged on any such gizmos, as Sharon simply told the man that I didn't want to spend any more than 30 bucks on a phone. That was all..........I can now be reached at any time. After a number of frustrated curse words, Hilary figured out how to save phone numbers and send text messages. I felt accomplished, and now I can disconnect my land line, which is actually quite expensive to own. The evening was concluded with the recent episode of The Office (hence the "I Need Tweed" reference), sending me into hysterical laughter.
I have also realized that I need to invest a considerable amount of time in physical activity and the outdoors to feel truly functional. Even if it means getting up 2 hours early and walking through the horridly cold darkness to sweat it out on the treadmill, or walking around in a park in the middle of December, or spending 11 hours on a bus to spend 4 hours in the mountains. I went to Seoraksan National Park over winter break, where I saw one one of the most spectacular views of my life. It was something that brought me a considerable and unexpected amount of peace and renewal.
I need time to myself and time with others. That's a hard balance to find - too much solitude leads to lonliness and then depression; too much socializing leads to being overwhelmed and exhausted. Odd. Just hanging out with people over good food or good movies is a real treat; sometimes just me with a good book, or me in prayer or me outside is rewarding as well. Oh, how much I am learning.
Right now, I need to clean. And eat.