As the initial shock wears off from the severity of the events, I look at how blessed my family is - Eric, Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Alison were only a mere few hours away from the epicenter - they were in mid-flight en route to Penang. The death toll, however, has already reached 115,000.

I've made my donation through World Vision. Have you?

[sotm] Michael W. Smith's Here I Am.

Sunday, went boxing day shopping with Connie, Yu-Ling and Jon in Eaton Centre - pure pandemonium in the mall. Things were flying everywhere, clothes were on the floor, sales people were way too crazy to help us out. But I managed to come away with dress shirts from Zara, Mexx, Club Monaco, H&M, and Tristan (which I gotta say, after one wash I'm really unhappy with it...Tristan shirts aren't quite what it used to be in my books), a brown pair of jeans from Tristan, really nice cufflinks from Mexx, and a pair of Kenneth Cole Reaction shoes. Yes, more shoes - further feeding my latest dress shirts-and-shoes frenzy. But even though I couldn't really justify my Cole Haan splurge (as I've been repeatedly reminded) at least I can justify the Reactions - they were on sale from $175 to only $60! For Kenneth Cole Reactions! Even my mom actually approved of that purchase. Which is huge considering my mom never approves of anything I buy. =)

Monday, went to Scarborough Town Centre - and splurged on my big ticket item, a new full-length Nautica wool coat - last one in my size, and I saved $120 too! Very happy - I've been hunting for that special new wool coat forever to replace my fading old one, and finally got it.

I thought I was done splurging. But when I got home, I was appalled to discover Mel had went to Best Buy and overspent on a 3.2 MP Canon digicam. Now that's one of my pet peeves - I may spend a lot, but I spend smart - rarely do I ever pay full retail for anything. It bugs me when someone could've saved themselves a chunk of change had they simply asked me for my opinion. =P But I managed to convince her to buy a 4.0 MP Canon SD10 digicam, which, although it doesn't have optical zoom, has a higher MP rating and was $130 cheaper than her 3.2 MP camera. Problem was, I was a little too convincing. I ended up buying one for myself too. Hey - I was saving myself $250 off the original price. It's small. It's sleek. It's sexy. That's my justification, and I'm sticking to it.

Besides, I can always return it within 14 days if I'm not "satisfied". =) Which to me, is really just my euphemism for a test of how long I can last with my guilt-ridden conscience before cracking and returning the damn thing.

Today, went to Yorkdale with Caroline and Garland. I ended up returning the Tristan shirt - it was hilarious! I had spent half an hour beforehand ironing out the shirt so that it looked new even though I had washed it and it shrunk a lot. When I returned it, the manager had the most obvious "hmm, this shirt looks washed" look on his face - meanwhile, I'm trying to look as innocent as possible, blaming my return on some loose string (which in all fairness, was actually there *before* I washed the shirt, so blaming my return on the flaw is in a way justified). But they didn't say anything in the end, just gave me my money back - so I was like, SCORE! After splurging, I've got some money back for a shirt that I wouldn't wear ever again anyway.

But God has a cruel way of getting back at me. Being that I was shopping with Caroline, it seemed like such a waste if I didn't use her for her Gap/Banana Republic discounts while I had the opportunity. With that in mind, I ended up buying a pair of stone-washed jeans from Gap and a trendy black dress shirt with red trim from Banana Republic, my favorite store. Combined, they ended up more than wiping out the "newfound $$" that I got from Tristan. Only I can go into a mall with the intention of returning something and getting money back only to spend more. =(

Man, I'm really putting on the Christmas pounds. I'm constantly in food comas these days. I think putting food on my wish list was a mistake. Hahaha......mmm....so good. SO good. So fat. Ahhhh!!! =(

[sotm] Clay Aiken's What are you doing New Years' Eve?

As you celebrate this holiday season with friends and loved ones, remember: Jesus is the reason for the season.

When I think of this Christmas, it keeps bringing a big smile on my face. It's been a great holiday this year! I hope all of you will enjoy Christmas as much as I do - after all, it's the most wonderful time of the year! =)

[sotm] Clay Aiken's Sleigh Ride.

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...
You, baby!

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won'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 reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you!

All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one
I really need - won't you please
Bring my baby to me

Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas
...is you!

[sotm] Kelly Clarkson's All I Want for Christmas is You

• Fondue Set
• Subscription to US version of RealRhapsody
• Logitech Mediaplay Cordless Mouse OR MX1000 Laser Cordless Mouse
• a nice wireless natural keyboard (preferably Microsoft or Logitech)
• Fossil Sliding 2 in 1 Wallet
• a credit card/business card sorter (but not looking for a rolodex)
• Rio Carbon or IPOD =D
• King Arthur DVD
• The Incredibles Soundtrack (Score)
• A baby bonsai tree
• A nice ornament for either my big tree or mini tree
• GOOD FOOD! (the quickest way to my heart is through my stomach)
• a random bottle of alcohol to practice my drink mixing
• Otherwise, I'm pretty impartial to either decorative or practical gifts. Just make sure if it's decorative, it's *really* decorative (no, a picture of me won't do) or if it's practical, it's *really* practical (no, a fly swatter won't work either)
• OR...you could really impress me by getting something perfect for me that even I couldn't think of. =)

[sotm] Tony Bennett's My Favorite Things.

In an effort to get my mini-tree up in my room, I spent the past three whole days cleaning my room - even going as detailed as wiping surfaces spotless with a wet cloth and sorting out papers. Obviously, it wasn't necessary just to put up my little tree, but I subconsciously took it as a way of upping my festivity and not studying. =) I kept using the excuse of "I can't study in my room if it's messy." Well, it's clean now and I'm blogging instead. =P

The only logical explanation for this problem is because I started my tradition late this year. Every year the tree's supposed to go up on November 1. It didn't go up this year. I brought the box up from the basement, but shifting some furniture around to make space for it, I left the box alone for two weeks.

Yes, two whole weeks.

So it makes sense. My head hits the clouds every year soon after setting up my tree. But since I started late this year, my head hit the clouds later - instead of hitting it before exams, now I'm hitting it during exams. I've only got strategy and employment health left, neither of which I'm particularly concerned about. But I should.

I just can't get my head out of the clouds! Ahhhh!! Somebody pull me back down to Earth and shove some OHS, TQM, and patents into my head before I fail the semester!!

[sotm] Norah Jones's Peace.

But business executives, of which I'm aspiring to be, placed 17th - 5th last, just barely ahead of the politicians, lawyers, marketers and the car salesmen.

Ouch.

Then again, it made me look and ponder my personality and psyche, and I realize - I'm not above underhanded tactics every now and then; sometimes my relentness pursuit of the bottom line allows me to exaggerate a little. As a Christian, I'm taught the value of integrity, honesty, and doing things the right way. As a business student, I'm taught to maim, kill, and quash the competition. I'm kinda stuck in the middle.

But I wouldn't have it any other way. As long as I'm not selling my soul, I'll be okay. LOL.

Here's the full list:

1. Nurses
2. Grade school teachers
3. Druggists/pharmacists
4. Military officers
5. Medical doctors
6. Policemen
7. Clergy
8. Judges
9. Day care providers
10. Bankers
11. Auto Mechanics
12. Local officeholders
13. Nursing home operators
14. State officeholders
15. TV Reporters
16. Newspaper reporters
17. Business executives
18. Congressmen
19. Lawyers
20. Advertising practitioners
21. Car salesmen

I can't remember a worse December
Just watch those icicles form
What do I care if icicles form?
I've got my love to keep me warm

Off with my overcoat
Off with my glove
I need no overcoat
I'm burning with love!

My heart's on fire, the flame grows higher
So I will weather the storm
What do I care how much it may storm?
I've got my love to keep me warm!

[sotm] I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm brought to you by the one and only Barry Manilow.