It's snowing out - the land is covered in a blanket of white. It's all nice and pretty, like I imagined it would be. I'm just back from a christmas eve dinner and the opening of presents on christmas day that customarily follows. I have a brand new rice cooker on my bed - how sweet, how thoughtful of them! Just what I needed, too. Somehow, though, my heart isn't quite in Indiana - it's everywhere else; it's in Beijing, with the 5 people dearest to my heart, it's in Singapore, in the room I hope will still be mine when I get back, it's somewhere else in America, with a special someone or other - it just doesn't seem to be Christmas unless it's spent with the people you really care for. It's been too long since I've seen home, and while Indiana in many ways comes close, it just isn't the real deal. I was in Penang (the restaurant) a while ago and remember thinking that the food there didn't really taste of Singapore; it just reminds you of what Singapore food is supposed to taste like. This is how it is with my home away from home - it's a nice reminder of the way things are supposed to be.

I'm sure that the long absence is playing on my heart in some ways - I haven't been expecting a perfect, rosy welcome when I get back - still, I remember a certain warmth that I haven't felt in a long time; it's like something in me is dying, and that's always a little sad.

I suppose though, the fact that I miss them only means that they still have a place in my heart - staring out at the whiteness, wishing they were here, I'm somehow certain of the fact that, as they walk through the snow in the streets of Beijing, they're wishing I was with them too. If you're reading this guys, I love you. Merry Christmas.

Almost another month; finals have come and gone, and not a peep. I've gotten the grades for my first quarter of college - a 3.75; worse than I had hoped for, but I'm told that's respectable for Chicago. Ah well, there are several more quarters to pick things up. Whatever. So here I am, in Terre Haute. Strangely enough, the days are going by pretty quickly so far. I sit in front of the computer with my ever faithful companion, Mr. Heineken, and I think that, just maybe, I'll make it through to winter quarter yet.

Christmas is around the corner; my favourite holiday of the year, no doubt. It feels strange to be away from home; it's not a feeling I'm unfamiliar with - I've spent the day in worse places - somehow, it's still a little odd, though.

I'm trying to get that elusive driving license; based on today's performance, it doesn't seem like it'll be forthcoming. I have to learn how to fucking park. Not a good sign at all.

What else is there to say? Pretty much nothing. There are some times I wish my life was more exciting, then I realise that it's exciting enough as it is. I'm just too stupid to notice.