Out with the (very) old

So excited to have a NEW FRIDGE for the apartment!  In case you are unfamiliar, the old fridge looked like it was from long ago era (whenever refrigerators were invented... maybe the 1940s), and had the look of a fridge you'd see in a horror film, where they would keep dead bodies.  And, as if it were a surprise, the old fridge began *really* acting up since we returned from Italy; it would constantly drip water inside, which would form pools on top of food items on the lower shelves and inside the crisper.  This would of course attract mold and the slimies. Ugh.  Not to mention the freezer that would fill with ice... and the door didn't seal well, either.  Oh, and don't forget the tape that held the shelf of the door securely (though impermanently) onto the door.
 

The old fridge: the delivery guy said his mother probably wasn't even born yet when this was made

Ah yes, the tiny freezer, made even smaller because of the ice

Note the brown tape on the lower right bar of the door

OMG:  .love.

Yay for no more mold and slime!

So excited to be able to store more than just ice in the freezer!

 So while I do love having a new major appliance to play with (I can't stop myself from occasionally pausing to admire it, or from opening the door to look inside), it did come with a price: the new mouse I found yesterday that was living between the fridge and the broom closet will have to find a new place to hang out, especially since we swept away its tasty Stevia packs that some subletter had spilled.

Colorado for Grandma

Three weeks ago when Seth and I were in New York visiting his family, I heard that Grandma passed away. She was healthy and we were expecting a few more good years with her, so it came as a surprise to the family.  Seth and I returned to Waltham and I flew out to Denver for her funeral.  Of course, despite the circumstances, it was a good trip, and it was very meaningful to see my family--my parents, 19 aunts and uncles, and 13 cousins.  

Grandma's funeral was the same structure as Grandpa's, which was (as far as I could tell) a traditional Buddhist ceremony, all in Vietnamese.  This involved wearing a white headband, doing lots of sitting on the floor, kneeling, bowing, lighting incense, and listening to the monk chant.  I really wish I understood what was going on, and after going through it two times, I really feel motivated to learn more about the significance of the ceremony. 

The altar

Dad thought it would be amusing for me to take a picture with all my uncles (two are Mom's cousins)

The kiddie table at the adventurous Seafood Superstar (actually Chinese cuisine)

Jellyfish salad and seaweed, yum!  (I didn't touch the freaky headcheese in the foreground, though... the Vietnamese say it is 'scalp'... ugh).

The fish had eggs.  I couldn't get myself to eat this, either, but it didn't go to waste; Phuong and Que were fighting over it (they say it is lucky).

Delicate fish innards (the name translates to 'tripe')

The ambitious spread.  The younger cousins were pretty grossed out, but those of us old enough to appreciate expensive seafood were in heaven.

The temple that Grandma attended

It was great to spend an afternoon with Danielle (and Kyle) in downtown Littleton.  

Getting ready for another big family dinner

While the ladies are in the kitchen...

The fellas are demonstrating proper soccer form

As if all that food wasn't enough, Aunt Amy also grilled hot dogs and hamburgers!

The little cousins

Roll it up!

Guests' shoes

Dividing up some of Grandma's fun accessories

Daniel is a genuine yo-yo champ!

Haven't had xoi like this since Vietnam! Oh my goodness!

Banh mi by the temple

After the service at the temple there was a big vegan potluck.  This makes me want to be a monk.

Phuong, Lynn, and Mary

There is no meat allowed! :o)

Driving down the Mexican part of town, we see pony rides in a parking lot

Mekong Delta style clay pot and hot pot

Little grandma with her (adopted) parents

Ông nội và bà ngoại

Lady Slippers on the hill

I just wanted to share some pictures of the very lovely lady slipper orchids that have been blooming like crazy on Prospect Hill the past couple weeks.  I don't know how easy it is to find them in eastern MA, but here in the park they are bursting through the seams.  They remind me of the mushroom explosion we had this past Fall, and if I recall from two years ago when we last saw them, these little orchids also won't last too long. 

The Pink Lady Slipper Orchids of Prospect Hill

An uncommon 'alba' variety (this is the only one we have seen in the entire park).  I wonder of the white squirrels know about this special flower?

 

The trail already overgrown with poison ivy, and it is only May!  I think soon it will be time to wear long socks when we go out.