New Hampshire Fall Foliage, Oct 2024

This past weekend, my aunt (xiao nian niang) and uncle (xiao gu fu) came all the way from Los Angeles to visit us, and we decided to spend the weekend up in New Hampshire, soaking in the fall colors. It was a perfect opportunity for a little leaf-peeping adventure, and though we hit a few bumps along the way (hello, leaf-peeping traffic), the weekend was filled with laughter, great food, beautiful sights, and unforgettable memories.

上周末，我的姑妈（小年娘）和姑父（小姑夫）专程从洛杉矶飞来看我们，于是我们决定一起前往新罕布什尔州度过一个赏秋的周末。这是一个欣赏秋日美景的好机会，虽然一路上遇到了一些小插曲（比如赏秋交通堵塞），但整个周末充满了欢笑、美食、美景，以及难忘的回忆。

Day 1: A Scenic Detour and a Cozy Night In

We kicked off our weekend early Saturday morning, leaving the city behind as we made our way up north. Our first destination was the famous Kancamagus Highway, known for its breathtaking views and fiery autumn foliage. But little did we know, we weren't the only ones with this bright idea. Every single lookout point was packed, with lines of cars stretching down the road. Each time we tried to pull over, it felt like we were caught in a parade of eager photographers!

Rather than stress about it, we changed course and headed to Loon Mountain for the afternoon. The gondola ride up was a game-changer! As soon as we stepped out at the top, we were met with stunning panoramic views of the White Mountains. I'd only ever been to Loon for snowboarding, so discovering the ice caves there was a total surprise. Exploring the narrow crevices and scrambling through the cool, shaded spaces was so much fun. It felt like we had stumbled into a secret world hidden beneath the slopes I knew so well.

By the time we finished, traffic on the Kancamagus was still crawling, so we decided to head straight to Madison, NH, where we had rented a cozy cabin along a quiet lake. It was the perfect place to unwind after a day of traveling and sightseeing. As soon as we unpacked and got settled, we fired up the hot pot for dinner. There’s just something about sharing a meal like that — the bubbling broth, fresh ingredients, and everyone gathered around the table — that made the evening feel extra special. The night ended on a peaceful note, with all of us unwinding in the comfort of the cabin, grateful for a quiet retreat away from the world.

第一天：风景如画的绕行和温馨的夜晚

周六一早，我们就启程离开城市，向北进发。第一站是著名的坎卡马格斯公路（Kancamagus Highway），这里以其令人叹为观止的风景和炽热的秋叶闻名。然而我们万万没想到，同样有这番想法的人太多了！每个观景点都挤满了人，车队沿着公路排成长龙。每次我们试图靠边停车时，都感觉像在一场摄影爱好者的游行中穿行！

与其因此感到压力重重，我们选择调整行程，前往隆山（Loon Mountain）度过下午。乘坐缆车上山绝对是个明智之举！当我们到达山顶时，眼前便是白山（White Mountains）壮丽的全景。我之前只在冬天来隆山滑雪，所以发现那里还有冰洞让我惊喜不已。探索那些狭窄的裂缝，穿梭在阴凉的空间中，感觉像是走进了隐藏在雪道下的一个秘密世界，非常有趣。

等我们结束探索时，坎卡马格斯公路上的交通依然缓慢，我们决定直接前往新罕布什尔州麦迪逊（Madison, NH）。我们在那里租了一间安静的湖边小木屋，是一天旅途和观光后的完美归宿。安顿好后，我们就开始准备火锅晚餐。共享一顿这样的饭菜——热气腾腾的锅底、新鲜的食材，大家围坐在一起——让整个晚上显得格外温馨。夜晚在一片宁静中结束，我们都在小木屋里放松休息，为能够远离喧嚣、享受片刻宁静而心怀感激。

Day 2: Chasing Views to Mount Washington

The next morning, we woke up to a crisp autumn breeze and a hearty breakfast at the cabin. After fueling up, we set out on our drive toward Mount Washington. Our route followed the Saco River, and we couldn’t resist stopping along the way to take in the scenery. Every bend in the road revealed another postcard-perfect view — crystal-clear waters framed by fiery red, orange, and golden trees. What was supposed to be a quick 45-minute drive stretched well over an hour as we kept pulling over to snap photos and enjoy the views.

One of our favorite stops was the historic Wiley House. The view of the lake from there was serene, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do the short loop trail behind the house. It was a peaceful walk through the woods, with the crunch of leaves underfoot and bursts of color all around us.

Eventually, we made it to the Omni Mount Washington Resort, sitting grandly at the base of the mountain. It felt like stepping into another era — the grand hotel surrounded by towering peaks, with fall colors spilling down the slopes. We decided to take a break there and sat outside on the veranda, sipping tea and nibbling on small bites. The sun was shining, and the air was just cool enough to feel refreshing without being too cold. It was one of those rare moments where time seemed to slow down, and we just enjoyed each other’s company with the mountains standing proudly in the background.

After that relaxing stop, it was, unfortunately, time for me to head back home, but my parents, aunt, and uncle stayed in Madison for another night. They spent the evening unwinding at the cabin, soaking in the stillness of the lake.

第二天：追逐美景至华盛顿山

第二天早晨，我们迎着清爽的秋风醒来，在小木屋享用了丰盛的早餐。用餐后，我们启程驱车前往华盛顿山（Mount Washington）。沿途我们沿着萨科河（Saco River）行驶，忍不住一路停车欣赏风景。每一个转弯都仿佛一张明信片——清澈的河水被火红、金黄和橙色的树木环绕。原本短短45分钟的车程，最终耗时一个多小时，因为我们不断停车拍照，享受沿途的美景。

我们最喜欢的一个停留点是历史悠久的怀利故居（Wiley House）。从那里的湖边眺望，非常宁静。我们还抓住机会走了故居后面的短环形步道。踩着满地的落叶，周围是色彩斑斓的树林，整个步行过程都格外惬意。

最终，我们抵达了坐落在山脚下的欧姆尼华盛顿山度假村（Omni Mount Washington Resort）。这座宏伟的酒店被群山环抱，秋天的颜色从山坡上倾泻而下，仿佛回到了另一个时代。我们决定在酒店的阳台上稍作休息，一边喝茶，一边品尝小点心。阳光洒满大地，空气清爽却不寒冷。那是一个难得的时刻，时间仿佛放慢了脚步，我们静静地享受彼此的陪伴，背后是巍然矗立的群山。

在这次放松的停留后，我不得不启程返回家中，而我的父母、姑妈和姑父则继续留在麦迪逊度过了另一个夜晚。他们在湖边小木屋里放松，享受着湖泊的宁静。

Day 3: A Kancamagus Do-Over

On Monday, my family made one last pass along the Kancamagus Highway — this time with much better luck! With the weekend crowds gone, they were able to stop at all the scenic overlooks we had missed on Saturday. They sent me photos of everything I wished I could have seen: waterfalls framed by vibrant leaves, rolling hills draped in fall colors, and quiet forest trails leading to hidden gems. It felt like the perfect conclusion to their trip, and I was so glad they got to experience it without the stress of traffic.

第三天：坎卡马格斯的完美重访

周一，我的家人再次驶上了坎卡马格斯公路——这次他们运气更好！随着周末的人潮散去，他们终于得以在周六错过的每一个观景点停留。他们给我发来照片，展示了那些我想看的美景：被鲜艳叶子围绕的瀑布、铺满秋色的起伏山丘，以及通向隐藏美景的幽静森林小道。这样的旅程仿佛为他们的整个行程画上了完美的句号，我很高兴他们能在没有交通压力的情况下尽情享受这次赏秋之旅。

Parlee Farm, Sept 2024

This weekend, we decided to embrace the tail end of summer with a visit to Parlee Farms in Tynsboro, one of our favorite spots for fresh, local produce and a dose of outdoor fun. My mom, dad, and Natasa were particularly excited for peach picking—there’s just something about the juicy, sun-ripened peaches fresh off the tree that can’t be matched by the store-bought ones.

We arrived at the farm around 3 PM, only to find out that the peach picking had wrapped up earlier at noon. While a bit disappointed, we didn't leave empty-handed. The farm store had a beautiful selection of peaches, so we stocked up on plenty to take home. Even though we missed out on picking our own, knowing they were still fresh from the farm made all the difference.

Apples were in full swing, but as a family, we don’t have the same enthusiasm for apples as we do for peaches, so we passed on that. But, what really brightened our day was the flower picking! Parlee Farms has an incredible flower field where you can pick your own bouquet. For just $3 entry and $12.95 a pound, it’s a chance to walk through rows of vibrant flowers and create something beautiful to take home.

We all got lost in the fields, choosing our favorite blooms. Natasa and I especially enjoyed this, as it was our second year picking flowers together here. There's something so peaceful and satisfying about gathering your own bouquet, knowing you can bring that bit of nature home. We ended up creating two lovely bouquets—one for my parents' house and one for Natasa and me.

We’re already talking about turning this into a yearly tradition, and who knows, maybe next year we’ll even plant some of these beautiful flowers in our yard. Parlee Farms made our day with their charm and the joy of simple, wholesome activities.

这个周末，我们决定在夏末之际前往廷斯伯勒的帕利农场，这是我们最喜欢的地方之一，不仅可以购买新鲜的本地农产品，还可以享受户外乐趣。我的妈妈、爸爸和娜塔莎对摘桃子特别兴奋——因为直接从树上采摘的多汁桃子和商店买的根本不能相比。

我们大约在下午3点到达农场，却发现摘桃子活动已经在中午结束了。虽然有些失望，但我们没有空手而归。农场的商店里有一批美丽的桃子，所以我们买了很多带回家。尽管没能亲手采摘，但知道这些桃子依然新鲜出自农场，也让我们感到很满足。

虽然苹果正值采摘季，但我们家对苹果的热情不如对桃子，所以就放弃了这个机会。不过，真正让我们这一天变得明亮的，是采摘鲜花！帕利农场有一个令人难以置信的花田，你可以在那里亲手挑选自己的花束。只需支付3美元的入场费和每磅12.95美元的价格，就可以在花田中漫步，带回一束美丽的花朵。

我们都沉浸在花田中，选择了自己喜欢的花。娜塔莎和我尤其享受这次体验，因为这是我们第二年一起在这里采摘鲜花了。亲手采摘花束，带回家一片自然的气息，这种感觉非常平和而令人满足。最终我们制作了两束美丽的花束——一束给我父母的家，另一束给我和娜塔莎。

我们已经在讨论要把这变成每年的传统了，谁知道呢，也许明年我们甚至会在院子里种植一些这些美丽的花朵。帕利农场以其魅力和简单健康的活动让我们度过了愉快的一天。

TongLu 桐庐 April 2024

After my grandmother's funeral, the family decided to take a trip to Tonglu to decompress and relax. Accompanied by my two aunts, my parents, and family friends from Beijing and Germany, we set out on this journey together. With seven of us, securing train tickets proved challenging, so we opted to hire a van. This allowed us the flexibility to travel comfortably and explore the area at our own pace. We spent two nights in Tonglu, immersing ourselves in its serene and picturesque environment.

Tonglu (桐庐), in Zhejiang Province, is about 250 kilometers southwest of Shanghai. This scenic county along the Fuchun River is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including majestic mountains, verdant valleys, and winding rivers. Key attractions include the Yan Ziling Fishing Platform, offering panoramic views, and the Yaolin Cave, famous for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The Fuchun River Scenic Area provides outdoor activities such as boat rides and hiking.

Tonglu also boasts ancient temples, traditional villages, and historical sites, reflecting its rich cultural heritage. Historically, it has been a center for silk and tea production. This blend of natural beauty and cultural significance makes Tonglu a unique and enriching destination. Our time in this tranquil haven allowed us to recharge and connect with nature, offering a perfect respite from recent events.

在祖母的葬礼后，家人决定去桐庐散心和放松。我们一家由两位姑姑、父母以及来自北京和德国的家庭朋友一同前往。由于我们一行七人，买火车票十分困难，所以我们选择租了一辆面包车。这使我们能够舒适地旅行并按自己的节奏探索这个地方。我们在桐庐住了两晚，沉浸在其宁静而美丽的环境中。

桐庐（桐庐县）位于浙江省，距离上海约250公里。这座沿富春江而建的风景如画的县城以其迷人的自然景观著称，包括雄伟的山脉、青翠的山谷和蜿蜒的河流。主要景点包括严子陵钓台，提供全景视野，以及以壮丽钟乳石和石笋闻名的瑶琳仙境。富春江风景区提供划船和徒步旅行等户外活动。

桐庐还拥有古老的寺庙、传统村庄和历史遗址，反映了其丰富的文化遗产。历史上，这里一直是丝绸和茶叶生产的中心。这种自然美景和文化意义的结合，使桐庐成为一个独特且充实的旅游目的地。我们在这个宁静的避风港度过的时光，让我们得以放松身心，亲近自然，为最近的事件提供了一个完美的喘息机会。

Shanghai April 2024

In April, I returned to Shanghai to bid farewell to my grandmother. The occasion brought together most of our family, including my aunts and lifelong family friends, who returned to China to pay their respects. It was a particularly stressful period, and despite my best intentions, I was unable to contribute as much as I had hoped. The majority of the funeral arrangements were undertaken by my aunts.

The family chose to honor my grandmother's memory with the traditional "Yi Tiao Long" ceremony.

The "Yi Tiao Long" (一条龙) funeral service, which translates to "one dragon service," is a comprehensive and culturally significant way to conduct a funeral in China. This tradition encompasses all aspects of the funeral process, from the initial preparation and rites to the final burial or cremation. The term "one dragon" symbolizes a seamless and complete service, ensuring that every detail is meticulously attended to in a manner befitting the deceased.

The "Yi Tiao Long" service typically includes several key components: the preparation of the body, the arrangement of the funeral venue, the orchestration of various ceremonial rites, and the management of logistics related to the funeral procession. This holistic approach reflects a deep respect for the deceased, adhering to cultural norms and practices that have been passed down through generations. It is designed to provide comfort and support to the bereaved family, ensuring that their loved one is honored with dignity and reverence.

今年四月，我返回上海为祖母送行。此时此刻，家人们齐聚一堂，包括我的姑姑们和多年的家族朋友，他们纷纷从各地赶回中国来表达他们的敬意。这段时间尤其令人紧张，尽管我尽了最大努力，但我未能如愿提供更多帮助。大部分葬礼的安排都是由我的姑姑们负责的。

家人们选择用传统的“一条龙”仪式来纪念我的祖母。

“一条龙”殡葬服务是中国举行葬礼的一种全面且具有文化意义的方式。这一传统涵盖了从初步准备和仪式到最后的安葬或火化的所有殡葬过程。“一条龙”一词象征着无缝且完整的服务，确保每个细节都被细致入微地照顾到，以此来表达对逝者的敬意。

“一条龙”服务通常包括几个关键组成部分：遗体的准备、葬礼场地的安排、各种仪式的组织以及葬礼队伍相关的物流管理。这种整体的方法反映了对逝者的深深敬意，遵循了世代相传的文化规范和习俗。其目的是为悲痛的家人提供安慰和支持，确保他们的亲人以尊严和敬意的方式被送别。

在这个历久弥新的传统中，我的姑姑们确保了我祖母的送别是尊敬且符合我们文化遗产的。他们的奉献和细致入微的安排在这艰难时刻起到了至关重要的作用，为所有在场的人们提供了一种闭合和安宁的感觉。

2024 February Lake Tahoe

In February, Natasa, Johaan, Shayhan, and I eagerly packed our ski bags for a thrilling trip to Lake Tahoe. To add to the excitement, I managed to persuade my cousin Yufei and her husband Dennis to join us, along with their kids Percy and Sophie, for a memorable weekend getaway. My reunion with Yufei happened unexpectedly during a layover in San Francisco on my way back from Shanghai. Despite giving her only 12 hours' notice, she graciously picked me up from the airport, marking the first time I met her children.

A month later, with a two-week heads-up, we rendezvoused again, this time in Tahoe. While Yufei's children were too young to ski, it was their inaugural encounter with snow, adding a sprinkle of magic to the trip. The children bonded effortlessly, with Johaan and Shayhan taking Percy under their wings, imparting wisdom on snow-stomping techniques and sharing their fascination with luxury cars. It was heartwarming to witness their camaraderie blossom. Throughout the trip, the children exchanged stories and formed connections, leaving us hopeful for future reunions. Here's to more cherished moments with them down the road!

在二月份，Natasa、Johaan、Shayhan和我兴致勃勃地收拾好滑雪装备，前往塔霍湖度过一次滑雪之旅。我还成功说服了我的表姐Yufei和她的丈夫Dennis带着他们的孩子Percy和Sophie来塔霍湖度周末。我在从上海回家途中在旧金山停留六小时时见到了Yufei。我只提前通知了她12小时，所以当她能够接我时，我感到非常惊喜。这是我第一次见到她的孩子。

一个月后，我提前两周通知她，我们再次在塔霍湖见面。Yufei的孩子们还太小，无法滑雪，但这是他们第一次见到雪。孩子们相处得非常融洽。Johaan和Shayhan把Percy带在身边，教他如何跺雪和介绍了所有昂贵的汽车。他们之间相处得非常愉快。孩子们一直在询问对方。希望我们将来能够再次见到他们。

Pictures from my first layover in San Fransico

Picture from Lake Tahoe

2024 January - Shanghai

The last time I visited China was in 2015. It's astonishing to realize that nearly a decade had passed since I last saw some of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and relatives. The reunion had been long overdue. Reconnecting with my family was a heartwarming experience, and I also had the opportunity to meet some of my parents' friends during the visit.

我上次访问中国是在2015年。令人惊讶的是，我意识到距离我上次见到一些姑姑、叔叔、祖父母和亲戚已经近十年了。这次团聚已经是早就应该的了。与家人重聚是一次温馨的经历，我还有机会在访问期间见到了一些我父母的朋友。

Wang Family

During my recent visit to China, I spent most of my time with my dad's side of the family. My dad, the youngest of four siblings, introduced me to our family dynamics. Sadly, his oldest brother passed away a few years ago. Next in line is my aunt, whom I call Da Niang Niang, living in Shanghai, followed by another aunt, Xiao Niang Niang, in LA. I stayed in the flat beneath Da Niang Niang's, once my grandma's.

Eight years ago, my grandma had a stroke, altering our family's focus. Luckily, both my parents flew to China after I arrived in Shanghai, a rare reunion in a foreign land. Towards the end of my stay, I got to overlap with Xiao Niang Niang before flying back to Boston.

This was the first time in my adult life that I saw my dad interact with his sisters. Together, we took care of my grandma, explored different foods, and navigated Shanghai with their Chinese language skills, uncovering hidden treasures. It was a trip filled with family bonding and rediscovering the strength of familial ties.

在我最近的中国之行中，我大部分时间都与我父亲这边的家人在一起。我的爸爸是四个兄弟姐妹中最小的一个，他向我介绍了我们家庭的动态。可悲的是，他最大的哥哥几年前去世了。接下来是我称之为大娘娘的阿姨，她住在上海，然后是另一位住在洛杉矶的阿姨，我叫她小娘娘。我住在大娘娘楼下的公寓里，曾经是我奶奶的房间。

八年前，我奶奶中风了，改变了我们家庭的重心。幸运的是，我抵达上海后，我的父母都飞到了中国，这在异国他乡是一次难得的团聚。在我逗留的最后时刻，我有机会与小娘娘重叠一段时间，然后飞回波士顿。

这是我成年后第一次看到我爸爸与他的姐姐们互动。我们一起照顾我奶奶，探索不同的食物，并利用他们的中文技能在上海穿梭，发现了隐藏的宝藏。这是一次充满家庭凝聚力的旅行，重新发现了家庭纽带的力量。

Chen Family

On my mom's side, the family dynamic presents a distinct contrast. Like my dad, she is one of four siblings, yet while he occupies the role of the youngest among his siblings, my mom assumes the position of the eldest within her familial circle.

Firstly, there's my uncle, affectionately known as Da Jiu. He and his wife reside in China, with their daughter, YuFei, currently residing in the Bay Area. Their extensive travels have included significant time spent in the US. Following Da Jiu is my uncle, Xiao Jiu, also residing in China. Unlike Da Jiu, Xiao Jiu has had fewer opportunities to venture outside of China or visit the States, having only made one trip thus far.

Completing the family portrait is my mom's youngest sister, Xiao Yi, who calls New Jersey home. She shares her life with a son of similar age to mine and a daughter close in age to my brother's. Meanwhile, our grandmother on my mom's side currently resides in an assisted living facility, bravely battling Alzheimer's. Despite her condition, our recent gathering was a poignant opportunity for familial reconnection, further underscored by Xiao Jiu's thoughtful excursion to Zhu Jia Jiao, an ancient town steeped in history. These cherished moments of family togetherness are rare and invaluable, serving to deepen our bonds and enrich our shared experiences.

During this visit, I had the pleasure of meeting YuFei's cousins for the first time. Though not directly related, it was delightful to engage with younger family members and enjoy their company. Our shared experiences extended beyond familial connections, as we explored exhibitions and dined together, creating lasting memories of camaraderie and kinship.

在我妈妈的家族中，家庭动态呈现出明显的对比。与我爸爸一样，她是四兄弟姐妹之一，但与他在兄弟姐妹中担任最年长的位置相比，我妈妈则担任了家族中的长者。

首先是我亲切称之为大舅。他和妻子居住在中国，他们的女儿玉菲目前居住在旧金山湾区。他们在美国的访问时间较长。接下来是我的另一个叔叔小舅，他也居住在中国。与大舅不同的是，小舅很少有机会到中国以外的地方或访问美国，他只去过一次。

家庭画卷的最后一个角色是我妈妈最小的妹妹小依，她居住在新泽西州。她有一个与我年龄相仿的儿子和一个与我哥哥年龄相近的女儿。与此同时，我妈妈的祖母目前住在一家辅助生活设施中，奋勇地与阿尔茨海默病作斗争。尽管她的病情，但我们最近的聚会是一次感人的家庭重聚，这一点被小舅带我们游览朱家角，这座历史悠久的古镇所进一步强调。这些珍贵的家庭团聚时刻是罕见且宝贵的，它们深化了我们的亲情纽带，丰富了我们的共同经历。

在这次访问中，我有幸第一次见到了玉菲的堂兄弟姐妹。虽然不是直系亲属，但和年轻的家庭成员在一起很愉快。我们的共同经历不仅局限于家庭联系，我们一起探索了展览，并一起进餐，创造了友谊和亲情的持久记忆。

2024 January - Beijing

During our trip to Beijing, my mom, dad, and I had the opportunity to stay at the home of my dad's childhood friend, Yuan Yuan. Yuan Yuan's mother was best friends with my dad's mom, fostering a close bond between the families. As a result, Yuan Yuan grew up alongside my dad and his siblings, considering herself as a fifth sibling in our family. Although it was my first meeting with her, I had previously stayed with her daughter, Hua, during a visit to London. Meeting Yuan Yuan was a delightful experience, especially as she treated us to numerous delicious meals, including an abundance of lamb hot pot, which we thoroughly enjoyed.

在我们去北京的旅途中，我和爸爸妈妈有幸住在我爸爸的童年好友袁袁的家里。袁袁的妈妈是我爸爸妈妈的好朋友，促成了两家人之间的亲密关系。因此，袁袁和我爸爸以及他的兄弟姐妹一起长大，把自己视为家庭的第五个孩子。虽然这是我第一次见到她，但我之前曾在访问伦敦时与她的女儿华住过。与袁袁见面是一次愉快的经历，尤其是她招待我们吃了许多美味的饭菜，包括我们非常喜欢的羊肉火锅。