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. ^^