Author: Shenzhan/申展I had a hard time getting up this morning. Last night, the belated Chinese New Year dinner with friends went nicely and late: G made his signature chive and fennel dumplings, P brought a variety of veggies, shrimp and fish balls for hotpot, M and I had a moment of singing Chinese songs we loved in old college time, and Marco had got lost in a few chess games with Adrain, whose 2.5-year-old younger brother danced when music was on. Even Xiaomi didn’t cause any accidents – most of the time she sat on the windowsill heated by the radiator while watching over the live cooking show on the stove…A big snowstorm came down early. For a moment when everyone in the apartment suddenly got quiet at this same time, we could hear the sound of snow falling down outside of the window - a perfect night for dumplings, hotpot and friends.
Today the streets were nasty. I didn’t do too well playing badminton. But it was always good to get a good sweat. Iris made a point of asking me to bring some snacks to share. I must remember that for next week.
Walking back from the Q65 bus stop home wasn’t too bad. There was still plenty of snow on the sidewalk but most of the streets had a narrow path carved out. The only problem was the piles of snow and slush at each corner of the intersection. There was no way to avoid it but to walk through and get my boots wet.
Before I entered my apartment building from the 29th street entrance, I walked by a giant holly shrub with spiked leaves and sprinkled with bright red berries. Its dark green leaves weren’t covered by much snow anymore, making it a sharp contrast to the leafless trees nearby. Busy chirping came from its thick bushes, as if a hundred little birds residing in their little apartments there were having a heated board meeting. I stopped for a minute to listen but couldn’t make out what they were discussing. Nor could I see any bird either, even though I looked hard.
Somehow it fascinated me and made me smile. I took a video before I entered the building.
Astoria, New York