winter blossom

Winter is usually gloomy, but sometimes you see the tiniest things around you that make you want to smile and cheer for mother nature.

This little bell-like blossom is called "snow drop." It usually blooms from the end of January to the end of March. The height of the plant is about one foot, and the white blossom is very small (1/2" diameter). Does anyone know the real name (the Latin version)? The "snow drop" is like a tulip,: it grows from bulbs in the ground. It always brings me joy during the chilly winter days.

The other blossom with the cute "snow drop" flowers at our front yard is a purple blossom from the Rosemary plant. I occasionally rub or crush the leaves to smell the herbal fragrance, but I enjoy watching my favorite color bloom in the front yard. Since I don't have any luck with Lavender, I pretend that the Rosemary blossom is Lavender. :)

--edited by Brittany :)

Chinese New Year dinner

We finally had our "Year of Tiger" new year dinner with some relatives in the Bay Area. This is my cousin and her family. Their daughter is a senior in high school and waiting for college acceptance. Their son, Edison, is fond of Pokemon cards.

My cousin's daughter (right), Jenny, and Brittany.

Brittany felt awkward for being very tall among the Chinese friends and families, so she tried to sit low.

Back row: My nephew (Zong-Kang), my niece (Ai-Chi)

Front row: Brittany, My cousin's son (Edison, 6 years old), My cousin's daughter (Jenny, 17 1/2 years old)

They are the busy young generation. They see each other about twice a year for Holidays. They probably visit one another more often on facebook.

From Right to Left: My nephew (Zong-Kang, 16 years old), my niece (Ai-chi, 24 years old, and just moved from Taiwan to Bay Area for post-college education), their uncle Michael on their mom's side.