The winter season was particularly harsh this year, as the seemingly relentless streak of snow storms left the city with heaps of piled snow and a thick layer of ice on most sidewalks. Although the weather made for quiet calls on Neuro-Op, it also made the commute to work trecherous – so much so that Melody and I both had to invest in new footwear. With our car in the shop and trapped by the snow, we spent my birthday weekend snuggled up at home. I got my requisite Chinatown seafood feast, but also enjoyed some Southern fare at Hungry Mother. Our Chinese New Year celebration was equally low-key. Without a vehicle to do proper groceries, we resorted to frozen and canned goods, although we did manage to make nian gao with coconut milk successfully for the first time. To celebrate a year of new beginnings, I’ve also migrated my website after almost 8 years to a new hosting company. FatCow offers unlimited hosting space and is powered 100% by wind energy. I wonder if the wind is generated by cows?