Back!

It seemed like a long time but I was only in SoCal for 10 days. The trip was shorter and felt shorter than normal. Usually I'm down there for at least 2 weeks, but this time I was only there for a bit over a week. Still the trip was fun and full of free stuff! I came back with a considerable amount of "loot" and am quite happy with that fact. This trip was different though because Tuyet didn't come with us to visit my Mom, and that was definitely a part of the trip that was missed. My Mom kept on saying how it was not the same without Tuyet and that she missed having her along with us during our trip. That's probably why my Mom gave Tuyet so much Christmas "loot" as well (enough to entirely fill one medium size suitcase, and plus some!).

The trip was pretty much the usual routine that I go through when I visit during Christmas/New Years. First we stay in the O.C. for a few days, then we head up to San Jose to visit my Grandma and other relatives for up to a day before New Year's Eve. Then we head back to the O.C. and sleep the night and then head to Las Vegas the next day just in time for the New Year's Eve celebration. We then spend the night there and head back to the O.C. where we just go to the usual restaurants that we enjoy and malls that we frequent. The restaurants we really like are Seafood Cove in Westminster, Noodle World in Alhambra, Norm's in Anaheim, Banh Mi Lee's in Garden Grove and of course when you are down there you have to eat at In and Out Burger or the trip to SoCal feels empty.

I didn't take that many pictures this time around but I did have a brand new dvd camcorder to play around with! I ended up taping most of my New Year's eve experience in Las Vegas. It's family friendlly viewing so you won't see boobies being flashed or anything of the sorts (I know, so boring! hehe). However the highlite of the video is the 10+ minutes of fireworks show that I taped on the main strip. It's incredible! Hopefully I can transfer it to the comp and put it up on here for all of you to see.

Anyways I got back into the YYC on the night of the 4th. Customs was slack and didn't give me any hassle. I claimed about $600 in gifts (dvds, clothes, shoes, games). That sounds about right ;) Tuyet picked me up and forgot where the car was!!!!! Heh, women!

It's nice to be back. I'm not much for the dreary, cold unpredictable Calgary weather but its home. I do miss the O.C. too, but not as much.

School starts in a few days, boo. I am definitely not looking forward to this semester. I'm pretty sick of school, but I'll hang in there.

That's it for now,

Alex.