On November 9, 2009 around midnight, Beijing ushered in the second snowfall of the year. Shortly after midnight, after a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder, the snow started falling out of the dark sky, drifting down quietly. Beijing was gradually blanketed by the snow and it was apparent that many people were unprepared.  Beijing has never seen such heavy snow in many years.

It is early morning, and in the hospital's courtyard and on the roof there has already been an accumulation of thick snow. The weight of the snow on the branches of nearby trees caused them to break and make a crackling sound. The entire scene was spectacular. The snow was still falling when the employees of the International Department rushed out into the snow and had a snowball fight and built a snowman. The footprints they made represented the happiness we all had for the beauty of this early snowfall. We hope that the scenery blanketed in the fresh white snow will help lift the spirits of some of our patients who may be a little homesick.