Nemo: The Disney Snowstorm

Last weekend, the East Coast was hit with a mega snowstorm...the menacing NEMO! *dum dum duuuuuuuum* Why is this snowstorm named after a Disney fish? I have no idea. I will say, it was rather impressive!

The day started off with me going to chemistry recitation. It was just drizzling in the morning...no snow yet. After recitation, a few friends and I made our way uptown to attend a medical school fair at Columbia University. It was at this moment that it started snowing heavily.

The medical school fair was rather intense. Lots of schools, mobbed by far too many students. Also, people were dressed as if they were being interviewed right then and there! Wow. I was a bit distracted at the fair because I was planning on going home to NJ, but the snow was starting to worry me. Every few minutes, my phone lit up telling me about train delays or cancellations. After a few minutes of consideration, I ran around the fair, collecting information about the schools, and then decided to make my way home.

Snowing at Columbia University

I hopped on the subway and quickly returned to my apartment. Luckily, I had packed the night before, so I literally ran into my apartment, grabbed by bags, and was out the door again. I hopped on the PATH train to Hoboken and grabbed the first NJ Transit train I could find that would take me home! At this point, the snow was really starting to come down heavily. 

Disaster on the roads (taken from the train)

My home train station (taken from my dad's car)

After a long and crowded train journey, I made it home in one piece. My father, who had to come in his huge SUV, picked me up at the train station and we cautiously drove home. The snow was so thick, you could barely see the roads! No matter, dad's SUV moved like there was no issue at all!

My mom welcomed me home with some Japanese yokan and green tea 

My cat was delighted to have me home because this meant her #1 playmate had returned! 

Here she is playing with her favorite toy: her ostrich feather.

As my parents and I sipped our tea and enjoyed the delicious yokan, and whilst I played with Jiji, we watched the snow fall heavily on our deck.

Our deck covered in snow (around 6 pm)

Jiji watching the snow

Winter nights are perfect onabe nights. As the snow fell, my parents prepared such a feast. Earlier, my dad had visited our local seafood store and bought a wide selection of seafood. Haddock, shrimp, clams, king crabs, etc... filled our nabe, in addition to a variety of vegetables and some tofu. Yum! My mom also prepared a dish of delicious roasted peppers with a tomato salsa, as well as sauteed string beans. Yum yum yum!

Dinner

Last that evening, we gathered around the television to watch a special TV program about Williams Shakespeare. The program is called "Shakespeare Uncovered" and it is a series that closely analyzes several of Shakespeare's works. The two episodes we watched were on "Hamelt" (narrated by my beloved David Tennant) and "The Tempest" (narrated by Trevor Nunn). The show was so so fascinating. 

Jiji and I watching David Tennant. We love him!

I guess Jiji doesn't love Shakespeare as much as I do...

Snowfall on the deck at around midnight

After watching "Shakespeare Uncovered," but not quite ready for bed, my parents and I sat around the kitchen table, indulged in some drinking, and watching the snow continue to fall. 

One of my favorite drinks: Disaronno and Ginger Ale (we only had Sprite)

It's sweet, but so delicious!

The next morning, we woke up to a winter wonderland. Nemo seemed to have pass, but before leaving, it left us with quite a snowfall!

our deck (panorama taken on my iPhone)

front yard (panorama taken on my iPhone) 

My cat does not particularlly enjoy cold weather and snow. She is all about the warm weather. Still, being of feral origins, she is always eager to go outside...that is until she encountered such heavy snowfall!

Jiji doesn't seem pleased with all of the snow on the deck

Jiji insisted on going out, but the snow was too deep for her! She had to practically burrow and hop her way through the snow on our deck. Not a happy camper.

After her misadventures outside, she learns that sleeping on the heated floor is probably a better option.

Our driveway after some plowing and my car, still buried under snow

The rest of the weekend was rather lazy. My parents and I lounged in the living room in front of a roaring fire. I studied chemistry and biology, whilst my father did paperwork, and both of my parents read up about Iceland. (They were scheduled to leave for Iceland in a few weeks).

Jiji seemed to suffer from a form of cabin fever. Unable to really enjoy the outdoors, what with the freezing cold weather and snow everywhere, she was so hyper. All she wanted to do was play with her ostrich feather, but of course, she required that I play with her!

Another attempt outside. She came home instantly.

In conclusion, sure this snowstorm had a cutesy name, but it was rather significant. I didn't expect Nemo to unleash as much snow as it did, but wow! I am impressed. I am glad that I was home for Nemo and I was able to hang out with my family. As the snow fell I thought, "now, THIS is the white christmas I wanted!" Haha.