Christmas in Canada 
🍁大白老师
Growing up in the freezing cold prairies of Canada, Christmas was always a special time. By October, the weather had already turned cold. We had a long 6 month winter in front of us. It was depressing. However, when December arrived, the mood would suddenly change. 
freezing cold 特别冷
depressing压抑的
You would start to hear Christmas music at the mall and in coffee shops. You would start seeing wonderful colored lights hanging from houses and trees in front yards. All of a sudden, the snow which we had dreaded all summer and autumn seemed beautiful, laying gently on the ground. After all, for us Canadians you can’t have Christmas without snow! As soon as December arrived, there was a feeling of excitement in the air. 
But nothing could compare to the second Saturday of December. This was a special day for my family. Every year on the second Saturday of December, our family would decorate the house. This was something to greatly look forward to. My brother and I would already be awake by 6am watching cartoons and anxiously awaiting our parents to get up. Time seemed to crawl as we were so excited. 
Time seemed to crawl  感觉时间流逝缓慢
crawl 爬行
Finally, at around 9am the festivities would begin. My mom would make her special waffles. For my brother and I, nothing in the world can compare to my mom’s waffles. Fluffy and crispy, with whipped cream and maple syrup on top. It’s a very Canadian breakfast. My dad would make eggnog - a special Christmas drink made from milk, eggs and sugar. My brother and I would start to bring down all of our dusty decorations that spent the whole year in the attic. Lastly, my dad would bring in a Christmas tree that he had gone to the woods and chopped down himself. It had a special natural smell. I can still imagine that smell today. It will forever exist in my memory. After all, the memories are so vivid. Some memories fade with time. But for me, decorating the house for Christmas is a memory that will last a lifetime. 
waffles 华夫饼
fluffy 蓬松的
crispy 酥脆的
whipped cream 松软的奶油
maple syrup 枫糖浆
eggnog 蛋酒
dusty 布满灰尘的
attic 阁楼
vivid 生动清晰的
Naturally, the most important part was putting up the tree. We had all sorts of decorations, lights and ribbons to put on it. We put on Christmas music, including classic songs like White Christmas and Blue Christmas. Let me give you a few samples: 
putting up the tree 装饰圣诞树
ribbons 装饰带
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, with every Christmas card I write. May your dreams be merry and bright and may all your Christmas’ be white. 
I’ll have a blue Christmas without you. I’ll be so blue just thinking about you. Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree, won’t be the same babe, if you’re not here with me.
As I’m writing this, itsuddenlyoccurred to me. For the last few years I have had blue Christmas’. I’m very happy and blessed in China. I have a fulfilling and wonderful life. But being away from family on Christmas Day is always a little painful. I imagine my parents - especially my mom - feel the same way. 
it suddenly occurred to 突然想到
fulfilling 充实的
So this year my mom was especially hoping I would be able to come home for Christmas. Alex was very kind to give me the time off. But he is a compassionate and understanding person. He realizes the importance of family and holiday traditions.
compassionate 有同理心的
understanding 理解人的
When I told my mom I was coming home she almost burst into tears. So I will be making the long voyage back to my hometown for my first Canadian (and first white) Christmas in three years. Do you want to know what the best part is? My parents promised me they would wait until I’m home to decorate the house. Somehow, even at 30 years old, I have a little bit of that childhood feeling of excitement. So I told my mom to get the waffle maker ready and my dad to get the ingredients for eggnog. I’m sure Christmas 2019 will be another memory that will last a lifetime. 
burst into tears 泪水夺眶而出
long voyage 远程
ingredients 原料
Follow this account for part 2 of my Canadian Christmas story. Merry Christmas! I wish you all good health and all the best in the coming weeks!

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