I was out with a college friend 2 nights ago at a restaurant/bar in Georgetown. My sister and I wanted to order some drinks (alcoholic, of course), but we had totally forgotten about one thing. They card here!!! We have this really bad habit of not carrying any ID when we go out with our parents, so the entire time I've been here, my wallet and passport have remained in a drawer. So when the waiter asked for ID, I stared at him in incomprehension also because I'm so used to the free flowing, un-carded alcoholic ways of the Belgians.

Why are the Americans so strict when it comes to alkie?!?!? Sigh. So we ended up drinking water while my friend and SOS enjoyed their alkies. Sadness!

I don't remember us ever going to an outlet day-after Christmas in the States. But then again that was 10 years ago, and there was no economic crisis. Today we went to Leesburg Premium Outlet and the discounts were insane! And by insane I mean, I've never seen things at these stores so cheap! I still haven't gone through the purchases to come up with the total amount spent on my items, but everything was already discounted and on top of that most of them had 50% off as well. Gee! So basically I bought like 25 dollar Fossil bag, 30 dollar Roxy jackets, 30 dollar Kenneth Cole shades, and many more. We headed out at like 9 am, had mcd's breakfast, shopped until 2 pm, had lunch, then continued shopping till 5 pm. I can say this is the first time I've ever spent a whole day shopping. And it wasn't as packed as I'd expected. There were some long lines, especially at PacSun and Coach, but it wasn't unbearably long.

I am now super pooped and all our purchases are still in their bags. We're all too tired to do anything but sit here in front of our computers. Poor mother still has to cook. :(

Ah, my French sucks, still.

But yes, I went to the dentist today and got the news that two of my wisdom teeth have grown out, but the other two are struggling and failing to completely grow out. They're only halfway out, and that's why I keep getting infections there. Sigh. Which means I will have to schedule a dentist appointment some time in the future to get them pulled. I don't want to (WAAAAAAH), so I'll probably end up putting it off some more. :P Can't do it here because no available time slots, and also it's way pricey. Should probably get it done in Belgium, but I don't want to suffer the pain and figure out what to eat at the same time (aka, I want my mommy). Heh! So ... Will see.

But yes, I hate the dentist!!! >.< Ouchie.

I feel like recently I've been half-assing the entries here. Random posts from Flickr, little blurbs about random things, etc. I feel kind of bad, although I don't have that many readers. But still, for my own sake I feel bad as this is supposed to be a place where I record memories and such for posterity's sake. Especially when my memory fails (as it is slowly doing nowadays).

So why this lackluster, half-heartedness when it comes to blogging? Well, it's not just blogging, I've realized. I haven't drawn anything in the past month. I actually did start a Christmas-oriented one the day before I left for D.C., but it's sitting in my moleskin unfinished and untouched currently.

For a while, it was because I felt like my slacking off during the semester was catching up to me, with all these assignments due before the start of break. In between panicking and actually doing the work, there wasn't any mental energy left to do anything besides watch CSI or catch up on Numb3rs. :P Terrible, I know, but got to find some way to let the stress out, no?

Then we (classmates and I) realized that there actually wasn't that much, especially with one of our papers' deadline pushed to final examination time (phew!). So instead I asked the girls if they wanted to go into Brussels to check out the Christmas Market (since I heard about it last time JC was here, but didn't get the chance to go). More bonding with the girls these past few weeks thanks to the presentation meetings and coffee breaks between classes.

After realizing that all my classes for the last week were canceled since materials were all covered, and there was no reason to meet, I decided to, quite last minute, find a flight and fly out earlier to D.C. Why not right? My last assignment due Friday is turned in via e-mail, so no worries there. Although since landing here last night, I've felt no motivation to do anything but play with the new macbook and ipod touch, so that's not good. :P

So now I'm here. The last two days in Leuven before flying here, I was trying to finish all my perishables which made for very weird meals. My last dinner consisted of salami and fried egg sandwich (which is a really weird combination. Note to self, don't do that again) plus leftover ramen soup with corn and mushrooms. Then I OD'd on oranges. I also didn't get a chance to do laundry, so I brought all my dirty clothes here. Wahahaha. Plus a lot of chocolates and some Belgian waffle biscuits. For the mom.

The flight here was long with many delays. Having woken up at 5:45 am to get to the airport by 7:30 am (thankfully I had a ride), I was exhausted throughout the flight even though I couldn't really sleep well (I hate flying. Hate it.). My period also decided to grace me with its presence halfway through the flight (perfect timing as usual). But, my luggage and I got here in one piece, so all is well. ^^ I also raided the supermarket that very night (pancake mix and chocolate chips, POM juice, cheetos, Pepperidge Farm chocolate chip cookies ...). I am ready to EAT.

My first full day in D.C. was spent at Montgomery Mall (now known as Westfield Mall, but will always be Montgomery Mall in my heart) at the Mac store. I thought I would have to check in my laptop for like seven plus days for them to fix it. But after sitting at the Genius Bar for a bit while the Genius attempted various ways to get my keys to work (unsuccessfully), he checked to see if they had the part in stock (which they did, PHEW!), and after an hour, my macbook pro had a brand new keyboard with the fan not making funky exploding noises. I also had a brand new Aeropostale jacket (it's FURRY!) and Body Shop Shower Gel. Exciting!

Fixed computer (it's a laptop once again!), new jacket, new iPod Touch, new Macbook (although not for me, but I have made it my own - all the setup/configuring/softwares are pretty much identical to my MBP, just on a better computer than mine *tear*). Then there's the parents (and sister and cousin soon), Maryland (it's kind of like coming home after all these years - trying to re-orient myself and remembering bits and pieces), vacation time (although still have to do hw/study). What a perfect holiday season. :)

Typing that last sentence makes me scared because whenever I type something about how I'm happy or things are going well, things tend to go south. But. It is what it is, and I shall not spoiled my content entry with pessimistic thoughts, so I just want to wish everyone (anyone?) reading this, Happy Holidays! And a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2009 will be a much better, healthful, and happier year. :D



Last thing - new Stanley Huang album that's out (We All Lay Down in the End) is pretty friggin fantastic. I've had it on repeat all day long. Now I need to get my some Tyrone Wells and the Wong Fu DVD Picker got me, and I'll be an even happier/contented poo. ^^

Currently typing this on my sister's new macbook. Well, my sister's not here yet, so I have a week of fun times with this computer before she comes. MUAHAHAHA. Also because my mbp will be in repair soon, I will just be using this computer nonstop. <3

It's so PRETTY. I thought I wouldn't like this black on silver, but it's actually okay. I guess it does grow on you. The keyboard takes a little getting used to since I've been using the old keyboard on my old old mbp. Also the track pad is huge! And it takes some getting used to as well because I used to rest my thumb on the clicky part, but now I can't do that. Ah well. This is so cool!!!!

Sigh. I want one. :P

, originally uploaded by lisapoo.

:) I <3 Christmas Markets I've decided. I love how festive things are here around Christmas time. Definitely gives off a Christmas-y feel. I mean, they have markets where they sell spiced wine, warm beer, handmade crafts, food stuffs, Christmas decorations, etc. And then everywhere you go you see a decorated Christmas tree, maybe not with ornaments, but definitely with lights. All the stores and restaurants have Christmas decorations. It's just so festive. I swear, I overuse that word, but I can't think of a better one. It's awesome!

Ok, so the picture up there isn't a good representation of what a Christmas Market is, but there's always more pictures at flickr.com. :)

I love Christmas season in Belgium!

I like how some of my friends wonder if Leuven is a ghost town because in most of my pictures, there generally aren't any human beings in them.

It's not, a ghost town. Not really anyway. Just certain parts are devoid of people, especially during the weekends, which is normally when I go out and take pictures. I also tend to stay away from the people-populated areas, like the center where the shopping streets are. I always feel awkward shooting people or having people stare at me while I take pictures with my little point and shoot. I also tend to think people ruin the picture, especially if I'm taking scenic/architectural shots. Ah, might have to change my mentality a bit.

Maybe it's time for me to incorporate some humans into my pictures, so it doesn't seem like I live in an abandoned town. :P

Feeling guilty for lack updates for a while, so I shall massively update! Just kidding. But I thought I'd share these two Youtube artists that I've recently discovered who are both amazing. They both did covers for Jason Mraz's I'm Yours, and they're both good. Different feels though. Especially from the original version.


Sarm Hart


David Choi


Jason Mraz

Other videos to watch/listen:


David Choi - I Can Get Used to This (original)


Sam Hart - Atlantis (original)

Back in UCLA, after I moved out of the dorms, one of my staple foods was ham and cheese sandwich. Well, here in Leuven, my ham and cheese sandwich has got a definite upgrade. Their bread choices here are insane! So many, and they're all pretty damn good. Their ham selection is also intense. Not just ham, they have all these different kinds of salami (all are pretty tasty) and saucisson. Cheese. well, there's cheese all over the world, but their selection here is also enormous. When I first went to pick out cheese, I stood in front of the cheese section trying to figure out which one to try. Most I'd never heard of (probably because I don't know anything past cheddar and swiss cheese). So, I just grabbed a random one. The only issue I have with cheese is that it STINKS. My whole fridge currently smells of cheese, and it's a pretty nasty smell. Good thing it tastes way better than it smells.

So, currently I'm in love with these sandwiches. Easy to make, super tasty, and filling, especially with soup.

Yummy in my tummy.

(Pardon my picture of a half eaten sandwich. Was too excited chowing down :P)

I've been neglecting the blog, haven't I? Swore I'd update about Berlin, but I feel like I've told everyone who would possibly read my blog about it already that there's nothing to blog about. Well, I'll write anyway, just in case you're interested. :P

First, impressions of Berlin. It's huge! Maybe I'm just used to tight, packed cities, but Berlin was sprawling. I think that's a good word for it. It took a good amount of time to go to different areas, at least 30 to 40 minutes a trip were spent on the public transportation. Speaking of public transpo, there is a lot in Berlin. You have underground, overground, trains, trams, buses ... did I miss anything? And I thought Brussels had a lot already. Berlin is also COLD. I have to say, definitely colder than Belgium (specifically, Leuven and Brussels). It snowed the second day I was there, and we spent a decent amount of time outside during my time there. I was wearing four or five layers and still it was cold.

So what did we do?

First night I arrived, we went to a Christmas Market, which is an entirely new concept for me. Taiwanese people don't really put that much emphasis on Christmas, there was no such thing in the States (at least not where I was), and I don't ever remember hearing of it in the other countries I've lived in. So, JC took me, and it's awesome! So festive, so happy, so holiday-spirity. We had sausage with mustard and ketchup, SO GOOD. Then met up with JC's friends in a white tent. They had a little heating stove in the middle. After that we went and had some spiced wine. That was fantastic especially in the cold since it was a hot drink with alcohol. Definitely warmed my extremities up. After that, went our separate ways from his friends and since JC was still hungry, went to a Kebab place. So big, so much food, could not finish. Then we called it a night and I played with his iPod Touch (looooove it).




Did not get a good night's rest due to me being in a strange place. >.< I think I have problems with that. Sigh.

Woke up and headed to Bill's to cook Thanksgiving dinner. Well, they cooked, I just helped in some preparation. Honestly though, coffee and alcohol on an empty stomach is a bad idea. I was super jittery, I think mostly from the caffeine and had trouble focusing on anything and everything. Despite some stress outs during the cooking process, dinner turned out fantastic. Mashed potatoes, turkey, corn souffle, corn bread, sweet potato pie, spinach dip, and wine ... yum!!!! Now I really want to make some mashed potatoes. :P And if I had an oven, I'd make the corn souffle as well. The only potential problem with Thanksgiving dinner is the amount of butter and cream used. Man, too many meals like that will give you a coronary.



Anyway, after dinner, we went to a theater for a showing of Felix the Cat with live music accompaniment. It was actually pretty awesome. I've never seen shorts of Felix the Cat, mostly just see pictures of Felix the Cat. But the shorts were in black and white, pretty funny, and the music fit in pretty well with what was happening. Talented artists. Sigh. There was a reception afterwards with open bar. Chilled around for a little bit, and after some deliberation, we went to a gay Turkish club with a couple of JC's friends. It was an interesting experience. Nothing like Tiger Heat or Rage in LA. They played Turkish/Arabic music. Yup. :P


After that, it was late, we were all exhausted, so it was bed time.

Day three started late. People *ahem* were unable to get up until it was 1 pm. We rushed to eat all you can eat brunch that ended at 2 pm. Pretty yum. They have good bread there as well. :) Then we headed back to Bill's apartment to do some cleaning since we left all the dishes and such in the sink the night before. Oh! During brunch I asked JC if I was actually going to be able to see the sights in Berlin. So, after cleaning we headed out to do some night sightseeing. I wish I could remember all the places and buildings and locations, but right now my mind is drawing a blank. :P I just have pictures to prove that I was in Berlin. Also had my first Starbucks in a whiles (since my dad left Brussels, actually). It was fantastic. I don't know why I love Starbucks so much, but I do, and I'm still very sad they don't have any in Belgium (except at the airport, but who wants to go to the airport just to drink Starbucks?!). I also had a German dinner - we ate schnitzel! I got the mushroom cream schnitzel, and it was YUM! but so big that I couldn't finish it. They really don't skimp on their portions. After that, we all went back to our respective homes and just chilled around some more before bed.







Last day! Woke up somewhat early and headed to JC's language school for him to deal with some business. That didn't work out too well, so then we went to American Apparel. Yup, American Apparel in Berlin. Aieeeeeeee. And it's so much more expensive there than in the States (ripoff!). After buying some briefs for JC's friend, we went to Harrod's of Berlin (forgot the name), but yah, after milling around the lobby for a little bit, we left. I figured, after seeing Chanel, Dior, etc. that we couldn't afford anything there. There were also too many people in there just milling around as well. >.< Walked down the street to the memorial church. Inside, there are millions of square blue-hued stain glasses. It was so beautiful and magnificent and awesome. It gives a feeling of peace.




After that we went to an Apple Store (of course). I saw Guitar Hero for Mac there! I really want to get it. Hahahaha. It'd be so fun!!! I could neglect school work even more! Just kidding, of course. Then we went to Taiwanese restaurant to grab some beef noodles, pig ears, and dumplings. SO GOOD. Ahhhhhhhh. Seriously, any food not cooked by yourself tastes infinitely better. Sigh. Then we took a long train ride to the airport, and that concluded my Berlin trip.


As usual, more pictures are up on Flickr. :)

, originally uploaded by lisapoo.

Had a lot of fun, will update, but for now, pictures are at Flickr ... :)