I was taking some photos today from our office building (this is from the office we didn't get, alas). It was meant to be all about the temple on the skyline, but I was distracted by a student taking a photo of the first sign of spring. The snowy trees are covered with cherry blossom buds, and surrounded by shrubs covered in tiny yellow bells. I have no idea what they are, but they're quite beautiful things.
Despite appearances, this snow is already mostly melted - it's like the April snowfalls in the UK, brief and decorative, and has the feel of the last gasp of winter. The Chinese New Year holiday is technically the "Spring Festival", and I can imagine why - in a few weeks, the temperature is likely to have risen dramatically. For someone used to the slow change of seasons, the speed at which tthey change here is likely to be disconcerting. When the change is so sudden and predictable, this is absolutely the right time to have the New Year.
Next week is mostly a holiday, although we'll be busily beavering away - one paper submitted so far, and another three virtually there as well. I'm sure we'll find some time to see the festivities, though!
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