Because my Sister thinks my life is "WAY more exciting.."

realllly not :)

So Malta was great! I think it was good to just get away and experience something new. Settled right below Italy, this place is just lovely. It seems like no matter where you go on the island/s you have such a wonderful view of mother nature at its finest.

The people there, were what made it great though. Everyone was super nice & very Euro (by the way they dressed and acted) Their 1st language is Maltese which is a beautful language that I kinda want to learn now. And their food, my God, their food was amazing. Even things you would see on a normal menu, had their own Maltese twist to it. It was also a lot warmer there then in london. Not warm as in lets get naked and go to the beach, but warm like, hey I don't have to wear 3 layers of clothing and a winter coat making me unmovable kinda warm.

This is the 1st winter break where the people I go to school with aren't in driving distance. They're all over the world, so now I reallly have to wait a month to see them again!

I go back to London sometime this week, I'll spend new year's with my fam and then head off to start my new year.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas & has an even better New Years!

Home for Break

So I am officially home for break, or at least thats what they like to call it. You see, the semester isn't over until late Jan which means 2 exams & 2 papers over break :)

I always get a little more homesick when I'm here. At school I have people to keep me distracted and busy, but at home I don't know anyone. The only neighbor I see is always with her dog that is the same height as me and even the horses look at me crazy when I stare them down. I don't have a car here, yet even if I did I wouldn't drive anywhere because a) reguardless of what the british say, the left side is the WRONG side and b) you drive worse than nor. VA-ans. not worse, but crazier I should say. When someone drives slow in the fast(right) lane, you will literally get lights flashed at you from the car behind i.e get out the way. It's pretty much rule here. I think i'll take that back home w. me because people in Virginia don't seem to understand the purpose of the left lane. Not that I have any business there either..

But it's December :) This is the 1st time I didn't/wont celebrate w. my east coasters and what a sad state I'm in. Luckily I'll be distracted by Malta! (yeah I didn't know where it was either) but it'll be warm..er and because I've never seen my skin so light this is good.

"I won't ask for much this Christmas
I don't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeers click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight"
-Most overplayed christmas song ever, yet still amazing.

Mrs. Obama

http://www.wwd.com/fashion-news/dressing-the-first-lady-1875632#/slideshow/article/1875632/1876120

^^Designer's sketches for Inauguration

I Love December Because:

1. Well it's the last month of the year. And usually by this time I'm am overly ready for it to be over. I'm ready to take the good, the bad and the ugly memories with me into the New Year.
"Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened"
-Dr. Seuss (he always gets it right)

2. I get to listen to Christmas Music 24/7 and no one will look at me weird. (Well not as weird as when I listen to it in April...) I love everything that comes along with the holiday- lights, music, the gingerbread latte I can only get during this season at starbucks. Oddly enough, the actual Xmas day doesn't hold any sentimental value because we're never home, a tradition I'd like to keep.

3. Giving Christmas gifts. I looove loove love giving cute little gifts. Man I am such a girl. I don't know if this is a good thing or not, but I've met some pretty spectacular people in London also, so I have mucho xmas shopping to do.

4. Myy Birthdayy :] Dec.23. My sister's bday (Dec 17) and My neices bday (dec. 31) Anyone that knows me, knows I make birthdays kinda a big deal esp. for my friends & fam. I can never understand why people hate their birthdays, and never celebrate..but to each it's own I guess.
I've befriened a few December babies here too. So for the first time I'm doing a joint birthday party "Adele,Nur & Ashley's Threesome Birthday Celebration." The theme is naughty and nice (Adele's idea-I don't know how I got dragged into this) at Cafe de Paris. Should be interestingg. Anyways thats this Friday. Then the week after the break starts && I get a new (color?) hurr do. Because I'm sure you wanted to know.

So because it's December and I'm especially happy all month long maybe I'll update moree.
But for sure after the birthday shindig.

Turkey Dayy

Thanksgiving was chilll, and a lot different from any other Thanksgiving (although they always are) My pre-meditated plan to cook didn't really work out bc I woke up too late. My mom started at 6am, not to mention the pre-cooking she did the night before. Bless her. (<--soo british to say!)

But here I am decorating cheesecake at the dessert table!

We had four of Rodney's co-workers and their family's come and celebrate with us which was nice to meet everyone and enjoy the holiday. Rodney for some (only God knows why) reason came home w. a wii the day before. So everyone played after eating (when I could barely move..which might explain why I lost to Rodney in bowling.) And of course my mom brought up the idea of Karaoke (which she tends to do at almost EVERY social gathering, in true filipino/asian fashion) But the guests sure enjoyed it, and I always get my ab workout by laughing at the madre for trying to sing. So now I'm back at school and waiting for the month of my birthday to come along already!
Food never looks as good in pictures as it does in real life..but it was delish.

You've just missed the Queen!

Greetings!
As I have almost run out of things to do to procrastinate, I thought I'd let you look at my weekend. My friend visited, so Fi and I took her to see some of the things London is known for.

piiiictaas
(Double click to enlarge in case you haven't figure that one out yet :)

And I don't know why that last one won't rotate. Actually, I just don't know how to rotate it.
OH and we literally did just miss the Queen haha
Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving!!
<3>

Let me enlighten you.

Heyy Guys!

Just wanted to give you a quick update on my life, or lack there of. School is finally picking up and I'm realizing now just how much work there is to do. Even though I only have one assignment per class, its the pain in the arse kind. Lots of researching, interviewing, observing, library-ing and the always interesting math. Just when I thought I was done after econ & stats my finance class just might be the death of me. Outside of school, I think I have finally become somewhat comfortable with my life here and the friends I've become close with. I've got a new routine now that doesn't invlove Patriot's Village or "studying" in the JC! (miss you kids)

So far, the most interesting part of November was being overseas while the U.S election came to a close. It was complete mania. It was no secret that the UK was all for Obama. His picture was advertised everywhere; parks, tube stations, you couldn't take too many steps without seeing him. On the night of the election, BBC coverage had clearly chosen a side. Somehow they had found a way to give up 5 minutes of air time to talk about McCain and the rest of the night was an Obama frenzy. The "Obama projected to win" statement at the bottom of the screen was there all day, so they obviously had no doubts. Surprisingly, the brits were greatly engaged in the whole process & there were parties held all over London to celebrate. It was great that everyone was so excited about it but it also made me a little homesick. Especially with all the D.C snapshots and the news spent a few minutes talking about VA (virginia beach!!) and had live broadcasting from Culpeper (of all places..)

I'm really excited for this month to be over for December to start :) My absolute favvorite. November should fly by though (To Do List):

• My friend I've known since middle school is coming up for the weekend (Nov.20)
  

• This is my Arts month- I'm checkin out the Museum of London, National Portrait Gallery & Wimbledon Museum (YES! which reminds me I still need to do the application process for tickets, so if you want some tell me!) . I don't know if Buckingham Palace counts, but that and the Changing of the Guards to see if I can make them laugh.

• I'll realize I have a crapload of work to do after severe amounts of procrastination.

• Celebrate thanksgiving w. other Americans (finalllyy) & the U.S Ambassador here in London. (I totally want his job but for the Philippines)

• Then going home to help cook (yiikes) and potentially burn the house down.

I hope everyone had a good Halloween! Oh and btw my birthday is coming uppp :) More details on that laterr.

**Just a few days ago, this earth lost an amazing person who will always be remembered in the most positive light. I think I can talk for the whole class of '06 when I say he will be greatly missed and forever loved. I can't wait to see you again and we're so doing a tennis re-match in Heaven.