PIC 16f877 Projects(easy)

Hey guys, im new to the site and actually new to microcontrollers. Im in college and im taking a micro-computer class and the chip we are working with is the PIC16f877. My Professor says its a simple chip to work with. Apparently we are using MPLAB to program the chip.

Overall instead of me blabbing, what is in store for me? I am aware that you can do many things with this chip, but what are easy projects to start with? And lastly what are some more advanced projects (not too hard) that I can utilize the chip with.

I am aware of winpicprog.co.uk and I havent fully check out the website. But to make a long story short, im new to all this and just looking into what can turn out

Easy things like flashing LEDs, then move on to LCDs, keyboard input, sensors, RS232. . . blah blah. . control the world.
The 16F877 can do pretty much anything you want*.

* Except U.S.B.