I feel like this whole car thing is going to turn into one big ol' headache, if it hasn't already. Problem is I don't know jack about cars, and we sort of bought the Honda quite quickly... so these past few days I have learned that although I was eventually going to buy the car anyway, I would have gotten it for a cheaper price because:

a) it already has over 200,000 miles
b) the Check Engine light is always on when I'm driving (will have that checked in C-ville)
c) the safety inspection sticker was expired (got that done yesterday)
d) found out that the driver's side rear tire needed replacing (got that done today)
e) it didn't have the owner's manual with it

Sigh. But at the end of the day, I really shouldn't care... because it runs well, it's a reliable car, and I should be happy to own a car period. It just sucks that I have to become so grown up about this... pay for insurance myself, make sure everything is on the maintenance schedule (tires, oil, etc.), wash it every now and then, buy stuff for inside it. LAME. I just want to get back to Charlottesville in one piece.

I'm back in Virginia! It's been quite busy these past few days... the day after I got back I went to the DMV to get my VA driver's license (knowledge + road skills tests and all), and today I BOUGHT A CAR!! It's a '97 Honda Accord, really crappy... but it should suffice. I'm glad I bought it. And for $3400 + fees I think it's a good deal. Now I'm really poor, and I'm about to get incredibly poor in the months to come because car insurance is going to rob me! Good thing I have a job.

These past few days I've also been applying for internships for the summer, so I've been doing cover letters for each of the companies I'm looking at. Tedious stuff, but hopefully I get a good number of interviews. I'll be doing these constantly for the next few weeks.

Other than that, I've just been relaxing... getting my sleep in and as much television as possible and such. I'll be back at C-ville maybe Thursday? Quite nervous about driving all the way back, but definitely excited as well.

Ah. T-minus 24 hours to the New Year. Last year, I said 2008 wasn't my finest year... but it seems like 2009 had followed suit, though in different aspects. But that's all behind me now.

2010, this is it. Let's make this one count.

**

Toronto is still treating me well. Still freezing cold, of course. Yesterday was the coldest it's been at around -15 degrees, was it? Here's a recap of the last couple of days... Boxing Day EPIC FAIL at Eaton Centre, another stab at the sales the day after at Yorkdale mall, Royal Ontario Museum (absolutely loved the Vanity Fair Portraits exhibit...as well as everything else), [Beatles] Rock Band, Queen Street West stores, "Up in the Air" downtown, CN Tower. Busy busy.

Not too excited about my airport travails next week. Now that security has been tightened tenfold as a response to the recent crotch bomb incident, I've heard and read horror stories about 2 1/2 hour-long waits to check-in and no carry-on rules. God. I'm just trying to not miss my flight back to Virginia.

It has been a pretty lazy Christmas here in Canadia-land. Yesterday Christmas eve we ate at an Asian buffet instead of having a traditional Noche Buena, then I slept before midnight and woke up at 5 am to talk to my family + relatives (mother's side) through Skype. Best part of my day! I MISS MY FAMILY!! I miss my sister's crazy antics, and I miss the Philippines!!

Around 6-ish I went back to sleep again and woke up at 11 before Christmas Mass at noon. Then I spent the afternoon taking a bath and watching The Princess and the Frog online. Loved it...Disney doesn't fail to work its magic! I took a nap from 5-ish to 10, ate dinner, and now here I am! I think I'm going to watch Julie and Julia online right now till I go back to sleep. BOXING DAY SALE TOMORROW! (Works like Black Friday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. We're waking up really early!)

Toronto has been pretty fun! We've gone to see some great places downtown, like Kensington Market (and the Festival of Lights on the 21st), the Art Gallery of Ontario, Eaton Centre (I miss huge malls), and Old Town Toronto like St. Lawrence Market and the Distillery District. Yesterday we got to walk around downtown a lot, and it really solidified my determination to live in the city once I graduate. My mood does often get hampered by the freezing temperatures, which kind of sucks, so next time I go back it will definitely be in the summer. Hopefully Montreal next time!

Next week general plans are watching movies (old and new) in the theater, maybe seeing a play, Royal Ontario Museum, CN Tower, Nathan Phillips Square on the 31st, and Niagara Falls! Pretty busy. Then going back to Virginia on the 5th of January. Whilst there I will be busy getting my VA driver's license, getting a car (I HOPE), and working on summer internship applications. Busy break indeed!

Fall semester is over, and now I'm in Toronto for the first half of winter break! So thankful that I found a ride after my original ride to Richmond airport got into an accident right before we were supposed to leave... and so thankful we beat the snow storm AND that my flight was on time.

So... I finally got to see Marianne!! It's been so loooong! We'll probably be doing a lot of fun touristy stuff around Toronto, hopefully skiing somewhere and whatnot. And of course, shopping!! This should be fun. Downside... it is FREEZING here! Need to bundle up!

I just want to wish everyone I love back home in Manila a very Merry Christmas! I miss you and I wish I could spend my break in that perfect December weather.

**

Updates on my life:
- Grades for 2 out of 5 of my classes are now up. Not my best, but so far so good, I guess...
- I'm volunteering in GUATEMALA for Spring Break! Hopefully getting to see colonial cities, Mayan ruins, and everything the place has to offer... so exciteddd
- Seeing John Mayer in March! Loveee him! Also trying to usher for Iron & Wine, maybe see T-Swift and Norah Jones?
- Loving my TV shows! Glee has made my life
- Trying to make the most out of Spring semester (6/8!) after a lackluster Fall

What a complete turnaround after a dismal end of September. Top 5 reasons why October is off to a good start:

5. Fall Break
4. Finally getting to eat Filipino food
3. Glee!
2. UVA finally wins a football game. 1-0 in the ACC, baby

and of course, what is probably the highlight of my year...
1. U2! MUSE! at Scott Stadium, and I got my ticket FOR FREE

Life is good. In other news, I have a midterm and a paper due on Wednesday, but it will not dampen my spirits! And I'm thinking about pulling some all-nighters when I get back to catch up on readings

I'm on LJ, which means my day has been lame. Sucks, cos it's my birthday. Quite an insignificant birthday (19th), yeah, but you know I'd like to actually do something. It's been raining non-stop outside so I've been too lazy to do anything. I've been either watching TV or napping. Reading a bit. I'm probably going out tonight.

Everything's been pretty good. A lot of reading, but I manage. I am severely behind though in my Civil War class, and a little behind on my Colonial Latin America class, but I feel like I'll be fine after Fall Break. My goal is a 4.0.

Done with the first week of school! I don't have any work at all, but I'm getting ready for next week already (all History / Politics classes = shit ton of reading). By getting ready I mean I made a to do list... I'll start on Sunday. I've been napping / sleeping a lot. I hope when I get back into my routine of school I can still keep watching The Nanny marathons on Nick at Nite

Got in yesterday morning. Feels like I never left, but I'm gonna miss Manila! Greeters today, Target run?, GIRL TALK tonight!!

3 DAYS LEFT.

I think I'm ready. Problem is... I still have to pack! I've started though, but I'm trying to fit everything I've bought in the past 3 months into my teeny tiny suitcase. Good thing I have some serious packing skillz. I think I'll just wait for my laundry to come back tomorrow, and then I'll start (and hopefully finish) shoving.

Game plan for the next two days: [TUES] visit the charity OYFA is sponsoring for the year (lame), see people, quick salon trip, [WED] see grandmas, see friends

Game plan for trip: Fight boredom

WOO THIRD YEARRR.