Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Well, i guess it's still in time since it is not epiphany yet.

Happy 2008. A leap-year. My senior year.

So, for my Christmas, as I mentioned many times in previous posts, I went to Richmond, VA to spend time with my cousin and her family. It was really good to be able to spend about 2 weeks with them. (I was only able to spend 2.5 days last time when I visited them on my way back to Ann Arbor after my Summer internship).

I flew from Detroit (DTW) to Richmond, VA with a layover at Columbus, OH, just to avoid Chicago (because of their infamous delays) and I'm too cheap to pay 200 bucks extra for the direct flight. I didn't drive this time either, as it took me 11+ hours to drive (one-way) last time around and I don't think I'm that comfortable driving in the snow. Anyway, I left on Thur, Dec 20th, for Richmond, VA. Both flights were on time, and my luggage showed up at Richmond too. My only complain was the tiny flights. The first plane seats 4 per row(2 and 2), and has 11 rows, while the 2nd plane seats 3 per row (2 and 1), and has 19 rows. Really tiny plane. I'm 5-7/8, and by standing up straight in the aisle, my hair can reach the ceiling of the plane.

"My" room for 2 weeks...
My stuff... notice the football jersey...GO BLUE!...
So, it was basically just eating and drinking (wine mostly, on average of 2 glasses a night), some dinner parties, and of course the really TACKY Christmas Light tour.
One of the houses on the tour...
A video I took from inside the car on the Tacky Light Tour at Richmond, VA.
...just like a gingerbread house.


I tried uploading more onto youtube but it's acting up again.


I also spent two nights at Harrisonburg, VA, my cousin-in-law's hometown. It was also all fun. And more good food.

Not to mention. Got quite some Christmas presents from my cousin and relatives. Let me see, a sweater, a sleepwear set, 2 books, an audio-book, 2 bars of chocolate(dark), a B&N gift card...

So, what else did I do over the 13 days I was under my cousin's care. Let me see, I was computer technician-carpenter-babysitter-white-or-red wine decider-cousin. :)

And children say the darnedest thing. I mean, without any filter. Like my niece, 4.5 years old, in a restaurant, pointed at a lady and said, quite loudly, "She's smoking." Also, at the dinner table at home, "I don't like peanut butter, it's disgusting". And, all the tantrums and flares. Also, while talking to grandma (my aunt) over the phone, she went, "Nana, I want to tell you something... my birthday is coming soon." And her negotiation skill is second to none.

Also, I also recorded quite a number of 'first-times', (Tremayne, NOT THAT first time...). Like, carrying a conversation with someone for more than 2 hours (yes, my first time); watch a Barbie movie; use a power-screwdriver; and playing kiddie stuff with a niece for a long period of time (go check out "my littlest pets"), and Chutes and Ladders, and without getting bored. Also, first time decorating sugar cookies with icing and all. All in all, it's a great learning experience, of American way of Christmas celebration.
Sugar cookies i decorated...

Also, what a great man my cousin-in-law is. Someone that I really look up to.

And, all the conversations really gave me more to think about this year. Especially, I'll be graduating in no time and start working before I know it.

I managed to scribble down my new year resolutions: (not even sure if you can consider this my new year resolutions, more like a to-do list)
1) learn how to float (I can swim the length of a pool but not float)
2) do more running
3) eat more
4) read more
5) think more (sorry if my future post are more philosophical)
6) sleep more (I think i can use 6-7 hours average...)
7) drink more wine, less beer
8) travel more (Cancun for Spring break? not just drink-silly Cancun, but explore Cancun)
9) buy less

...