I recently made a solo long-distance drive from my hometown Hangzhou to Beijing, a city I often call my second hometown after living there for nearly thirty years.

I was born in 1962, just after the famine years in China. Food was still scarce, and hunger was part of daily life. What I remember most from those years is my grandmother’s hanging basket, tied high above the room where she carefully stored what little food our family had.

A Quiet Chinese New Year unfolds in my changing Hangzhou, China. The city feels calmer, the streets thinner, the celebrations softer. Instead of fireworks, I prepare to visit aging parents, reflecting on family duty, migration, and how modern life reshapes tradition.

At the top of the hill, I turned to take in the view. My Growing Community in Hangzhou stretched out before me, growing steadily, quietly, relentlessly. It’s hard to believe that when I moved here ten years ago, this area was mostly open land and quiet hills.

Did you know there are 24 hour libraries in Beijing where you can read, study, or simply escape—no matter the hour? In a city that never really sleeps, these hidden gems offer round-the-clock peace and quiet, perfect for travelers, students, and night thinkers alike.

Since retiring, my days have changed pace. No more morning meetings, no more crowded buses. Now, I begin my day quietly — often with tea in one hand, my phone in the other, planning the meals ahead.