Less than two weeks to the Lunar New Year – Vietnamese’s most important holiday of the year. Again if you ask me “Is it the Chinese New Year?” – yes, same same, but different. Not only China but also Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan also celebrate the Lunar New Year, so why calling it Chinese New Year?

My heart aches as this Tet we will be away from home like last year, and that we cannot bring Nem home so he knows our culture and traditions. Yes what can a 3-month old know and care about traditions, but it’s important to both of us that he knows he’s a Vietnamese, and treasure that. On the bright side, mom’s interview was a piece of cake and she now has a U.S visa! As soon as she can fly safely, she’ll be here to meet Nem for the first time! Sometimes I think how much a mother sacrifies for her children, and then for her grandchildren. He’s just so loved!

We drove into Manhattan last weekend with three important missions: 1) to rescue a 20-year-old umbrella plant from a lady who’s moving and can’t take it with her, 2) to stuff our car with food from the Chinatown heaven, and 3) to get some LNY decorations. Mission 1 – so much LOVE for the huge plant which I later named Ella. She grows towards the sides and is almost completely bald in the middle, because she absolutely loves the sun and was placed by the wall that divides two window. Let’s see how she looks after being relocated to my biggest window in the house!

Mission 2 – so much FOOD that are must-get on our list, and with Nem in the backseat we had to be very strategic. Ordering ahead, rushed out of the car to pick up while Jon drove one block around because who could find parking in Chinatown?, and to the next store! Mission 3 – I spent a lot of time at the Chinese plant shop which also sells LNY decoration (actually too much time that Jon had to message and ask if I’m done =)) ). The price is kinda insane so we came home with these mini little cute buffalos – this year’s zodiac, and of course a mini plant. I got a satin pothos which is doing great at home now!

No small or medium kumquat, the “smallest” one in store is $90, yikes! But, on a very happy note, my lemon tree which was apparently very unhappy during the winter now starts to sprout new baby shiny leaves! More than once did I think of giving it up!!