Christmas and New Year break!

So, I spent Christmas and New Year (because of the inclement weather) in Richmond, VA. The drive down was the usual, mostly smooth until I hit Northern Virginia. I tried using alternative route instead of I-95, but it was still bad. I drove down on Christmas eve, and I guess many people are out for last minute shopping (as the alternative route passed by some strip malls and I saw that all the parking lots were packed.) So, it took me a good 11.5 hours to reach my cousin's place. Started the journey at 6.45am It was snowing/raining when I left my apartment.

As I spent Christmas in Richmond as well last year, but, because I was flying (no luggage room for gifts), and I was still a poor college student, I didn't buy any gifts last time. So, I did sorta double up this year. It was actually kinda fun to Christmas shop. Trying to pair gifts to my cousin, her husband, my niece and all really tested my memory. It got me trying to recall our conversations, my observations from my last few visits and trying to figure out what they will like. It's not so much about the price of it, because they can definitely afford most of the stuff they want, it's more like putting in time and effort to find the perfect gift. This may sound cliche, but, it's the thought that counts. So, after few trips to different malls/shops a couple weeks before Christmas, I finally got all the presents and even wrapped them nicely the weekend before.

As always, my visits to Richmond are always filled with food and drinks. Couple that with festive seasons really spell more food and more wine. Knowing that, I actually bought a case of wine down. (3 of us actually put a huge dent to that case of wine over the break.) So, for Christmas, there's turkey and lamb, then, all the eating out -> Sushi, and then, the visit to Harrisonburg to celebrate my cousin's mother-in-law birthday, there's ham and more... I did manage to put in a run with my cousin-in-law.

So, as my niece loves drawing and crafts, i bought her a colossal craft kit sets, with glass stone painting, friendship bracelet kit, sock puppet kit, stone painting kit and clay shaping kit. I actually can't believe I have some 'touch' in glass stone painting. :-)

Last year, I saw my very first Barbie movie. Well, lightnight struck twice. I saw another one this year. I got to admit that it wasn't as bad as I first imagined. It's actually an adaptation of the play 'A Christmas Carol'. For those who know the play, I was wondering how they actually adapt such a classic play into 'Barbie'ish. I actually saw the play live a week back at the Hanover theater, and then, another one on TV few days ago. It's kinda weird as I had never heard of it, let alone see it before that, and then, in a short span of less than 2 weeks, I've had seen 3 versions of it.

What else? Oh yeah, the new tinkerbell movie, also, Mamma Mia! the movie on dvd.

At first, I was thinking about leaving for MA again on the 30th, but I wasn't feeling too good. I guess it was because of the excessive merrymaking (reads wine drinking) and Rummikub from the night before. So, I postponed my trip to the 31st, not knowing that there was a snow storm brewing in New England. So, I found out about the snow storm warning on 30th afternoon. That's when I decided to spend New Year in Richmond. Well, it was all good. On New Year Eve night, after watching Mamma Mia!, it was about 11ish. Did the Countdown thing in front of the tv, bad champagne (a Chandon - lovely, not too dry) and strawberry to celebrate the new year! May the New Year of 2009 be a better year for all.

Woke up the next morning early to load up my car and all. After breakfast and a little waiting, I hit the road at 10.30am. The traffic was light all the way from Richmond, VA to Shrewsbury, MA. I stopped twice, for food and fuel. And with 30 minutes of stopping, I managed to cover 520 miles in 8 hours (including the stops), putting me traveling at an average speed of 65 mph, or if just average speed of moving, closer to 69 mph.... shhh....!!!

Also, last weekend, I bought a luggage sets and other stuff to start preparing for the trip home. I'm so excited!!! Finally going home again since Aug 2006. And finally be able to celebrate CNY back home (since 2004). Guess things might get a little awkward, but definitely gonna be some good time.

pictures? having hard time with firefox lately... guess i really need to restart it after updating... will try to get few up here...

New Year Resolutions?
I actually do have a few on my list. But, nope, I'm not sharing them here.

Happy New Year!!!

A random fact about me...

So, to accommodate the huge bed that will be here later today, I had to put away my clothes and stuff away. And, I was bored enough to count how many polo, t-shirt and dress shirt.

T-shirt: 50+
Polo: 27
Shirt: 23

Making a total of more than 100. Not something to be proud of, or is it?
Fortunately, I have plenty of closet space. Need another dresser/rack for all my t-shirts and my closet will be PERFECT. Of course, there's still plenty of room for polos and shirts.

And, mind me, there's another closet in guest bedroom. And the coat closet by the living room.

Also, as I'm still procrastinating on getting a futon/sofa bed/couch, and also coffee table, my living room will be pretty bare. Thus, I'll have pictures of my purchases instead.

The "damages" from Wrentham Village Premium Outlets.
My "work" station. Too cluttered. Which reminds me of the quote: a cluttered desk implies a cluttered mind; If that's the case, what's the significance of an empty desk?
New addition to the kitchen: A microwave oven, and a toaster oven.
Also, bought a tv-stand.
Dining table + chairs.
And to show you how bare my living room is.

And it's good to have my own place. Here's a good Bak Kut Teh meal.

Suddenly, I remember-

this quote by my cousin Tomas - (not an exact quote, but the meaning is still there)

(Situation - while watching a tv commercial of artificial-lime-flavored beer)
"[The world has gone crazy], we put artificial lime flavoring into something we consume, while we put real lime juice into dish detergent we use."

Just want to put this out there.

Also, my apartment is coming along rather well. Now, it's still missing a bed (still sleeping on an air-bed), a coffee table, and a couch/sofa. Went to Wrentham Village Premium Outlets Center this morning to buy some work clothes and presents for bros and mom. Mission accomplished, but I ended buying some 'presents' for myself too. My wallet took a huge damage.

Will head out to hunt for a bed tomorrow. Then, need to break down the boxes in my living room and stuff. Will be going to NYC with daddy on Tues - Thur. Cable guy will be coming Friday to install a HD-DVR box and internet (piggyback on neighbors' now). Then, once that, pictures of my apartment will be up. Also, will be transferring to MA license next Friday afternoon. Then, the following Monday -> first day of work, but well, it's just gonna be orientation and stuff.