Happy the Year of Ox from NC

One week done, I have one more week to go, in this southern state with a "North" in its name — North Carolina. There is perhaps at most only one snow fall every other year in North Carolina. After I flew across the country and arrived here, it snowed. My wish to have snow was granted on Tuesday. I think I am extremely lucky. As expected, everything was shut down and I didn’t even have to go to work. After cooked myself some breakfast in the hotel room, watched a little bit of Obama’s inauguration, I went out to take a walk, and to take pictures. It was cold and white outside. Almost nothing was on the road except snow. It’s very quiet and beautiful actually. That brings me the kind of atmosphere during Chinese New Year (春节) back in my hometown. Most of the restaurants were closed due to the snow. I figured that I had to take care of myself. It was quite a challenge to drive in snow like this, but I cleared the snow on my crappy rental car and drove out. I went to the store and bought some cod fish then made myself a dinner in my hotel room. The cod turned out pretty well, even I only had very limited cooking ware and ingredients. It’s like a cooking competition on a TV food channel — you’ve gotta work with what you have. Last night, I went out to the store and bought another piece of fish back to the hotel. This time, I cooked Chilean sea bass, with pine nuts. Served with baby greens. I wish I were at home, so I could cook a big feast like mom always do during this time of the year; I could make some homemade dumplings filled with all the good fortune and luck; I could invite my friends over to celebrate the holiday; I could burn incenses in front mom’s picture. I miss you, mom, not only on Chinese New Year’s Day, but everyday. This afternoon, I drove by some places mom went before. I passed by the house I used to own and where mom used to cook. It brought back so many memories, and some tears. I saw the tree in the front yard got really big now. I saw mom’s shadow in it. She is smiling at me. Even I am thousands miles away from home, I will celebrate and enjoy the Chinese New Year! Nothing can undermine that sacred spirit! I still have not decided what to eat tomorrow yet, but there will have dumplings — I bought from Trader Joes. Happy the year of Ox!