Enter the dragon

It wasn't snowing at 3:30am when I happened to get up and peek through the blinds.  However, when I got up again a few hours later there was a two inch layer over everything.  It continued to snow lightly for the rest of the morning, and it was very cold.

Too bad, then, that this was the day the Girl was booked to take part in the Skatefest event at the Empire State Plaza outdoor rink.  She was signed up for a free group lesson and the chance to meet a couple of Olympic figure skaters, Sarah and Emily Hughes.

The snow had stopped by the time of the lesson, and the skaters just had to put up with the perishing cold.  For the Girl, alas, the lesson wasn't a huge success as she rather fell between the levels of the classes being offered.  But she enjoyed meeting the Hughes sisters.

From the rink we rushed across to main auditorium inside the Egg, to join friends at a Chinese New Year celebration.  It was a two-hour show featuring members of the local Chinese community and friends, presenting a variety of music, song and dance.  The musicians, who played both Chinese and Western classical pieces, were exceptionally good. The dances were colourful and well done - not quite Olympic Opening ceremony-type perfection, but not less enjoyable for that.  Though it's not quite here yet, happy Year  of the Dragon!

Late news:  the Man is safely home.