my old feline fellows

Meow is 10 years old, and DiDi is almost 8. Both weighted about 7kg (14 pounds). They have been well cared for and loved by Shyan since I left for California.





photograph courtesy of Pan.

a pair of swings in the woods

back to the mountains

We were back to the mountains, and, another hot spring bath.








Photograph courtesy of Finn.

The first day of 2008

The day started with firework at Taipei 101.



Hiking in the YangMing Mountain National Park. Amazing views.




It's about 0 degree (32 F) today. Strong wind.

We ended the day with a treat of sulphur hot spring spa.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve.

The temperature went down sharply tonight. Our old folks were out celebrating (yes, my aunt and uncle got busier social life than us). The younger us stayed at home for a hot pot and lots of desserts. Now we're awaiting the firework show from the tallest building in the world. One of the best places to view it is right from the balcony of our apartment.

Cheers!

Christmas Cake

Merry Christmas!

The winter solstice

We eat sticky rice balls (tang-yuan) here for the winter solstice. Eating the rice balls marks the accomplishment of a year cycle. This is the day when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, the shortest day of the year. From now on, the days are getting longer- until the summer solstice.

Kids are often told to eat the rice ball or they wouldn't grow one more year old.

The sun is reaching higher, so things are getting brighter from this day on.

Happy holidays.