Dear Readers,

Recently, I learned that Princeton actually has the shortest academic semester(s) in the United States. We have only 12 weeks of classes each semester, into which we cram 16 weeks' worth of learning material. Speaking of which, we just completed our first semester of the 2011-12 academic year and are now taking a one-week break from classes, called "intercession," before the second semester commences. Only two weeks ago, we had winter break (for a total duration of three weeks), then two weeks of paper-writing and final exam-taking, and now... well, you know where we are now. I plan to spend this coming week working on my senior thesis, however. Conducting research, gathering data and analyzing trends will consume most of my time over intercession. Books, television, the Internet, acting and sports will probably take up the rest of it. Oh, and of course, I'll spend much time shopping.

On that note, how I miss New Year's shopping in Shenzhen! As overpopulous as the shopping centers throughout the city seemed, the ambiance and thrill of it all more than compensated for the traffic. Over here in the United States, little boutiques line the main street of Princeton, to the north of the university's campus; as quaint as the brand-name stores seem, though, they can't exactly compare to the excitement and vibrancy of the diverse stores lined up in Shenzhen. And of course, the flavorful treats that one could buy and consume on one's shopping expeditions still make one's mouth water upon merely imagining them.

Maybe I will get a chance to visit home for an extended period of time soon, after graduation later this year! It will be a long-awaited trip, for sure. Anyway, Happy New Year again and spend your lucky "red money" wisely on shopping or otherwise!

Sincerely,

Laiyin