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!!!

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

...