This is a song， and millions of Americans will hear it on New Year's Eve. It is called "Auld Lang Syne" (《友谊地久天长》). It is the traditional music played during New Year's celebration. "Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish(苏格兰)poem. It tells about the need to remember old friends.

    The words "auld lang syne" mean "old long since". No one knows who wrote the poem first.

    However， a version(版本)by Scottish poet Robert Burns was published(出版)in 1796. The words and music we know today first appeared(出现)in a song book three years later.

    The song is played in the United States mainly on New Year's Eve. The version you are hearing today is by the Washington Saxophone Quartet. One of the 4 musicians in the group is VOA's Rich Kainfaite. As we end our programme with "Auld Lang Syne"，I would like to wish all of our radio friends a very happy New Year! This is Buddy Thomas.

    Christmas is one of the most important festivals in some Western countries.Now it is celebrated in many countries including China.The practice of putting up special decorations on Christmas has a long history.Long ago,people in Rome brought branches from evergreen plants indoors in the winter,Decorating with green plants is also part of Jewish tradition.

    When Christmas Day comes,we can see some traditional colors everywhere.The traditional colors of Christmas are green and red.White,silver and gold are also popular.Red stands for the blood of Jesus and green stands for eternal life.People like to decorate their houses with the evergreen tree because it does not lose its leaves in the winter.

    Decorating the Christmas tree is a tradition when Christmas Day comes.The phrase“Christmas tree”is first recorded in 1835.The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century though many people argued that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century.

    Christmas lights and banners may be hung along streets,music played from speakers,and Christmas trees placed in prominent places.It is common in many parts of the world for town squares and shopping areas to display decorations.In some countries,Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down in the evening of January 5.

    These days, more and more students in the UK are taking a "gap year" between their graduation from school and their university studies. This means they can take a year off to do something else, before they start their studies.

For most students, spending time in foreign countries is the favorite activity — and Australia is the favorite place to go.

    Many parents, teachers and business people agree that travelling can teach important values.

    "After a year of travelling, I felt I'd grown up. I had learnt the importance of relationships with people, on all kinds of levels."

There are many companies around the world that welcome these students on their projects—helping people in poorer countries, or even in your home country. Although you don't get paid for your work, this kind of work can teach important skills—decision making and finding answers to problems, for example—that will help many students in a job one day.

    Finally, getting some knowledge and experience in an area you hope to study or work in one day will always be very useful.

    If several university graduates are applying for the same job, gar year work experience allows you to say,

    "I've already had some experience of this kind of work." And that can get your job.

    Lao Men Dong (also known as East Zhonghua Gate Historical Culture Block) is a well-known place of interest in Qinhuai District, Nanjing. It is not big, but has attracted visitors of the whole city and the whole country as well.

    To the south of Confucius Temple, the block is not far from Qinhuai River. Over twenty years ago, it was only a small block full of old houses and dirty, narrow roads. There were not many shops or public services. Most of the people living there were either too old or too poor to move. Things have changed since 2010s. Because of the regulatory plan, the residence (原居民) have moved to other newly-built communities. The government has also built many clean and neat roads. A couple of old-fashioned houses have also been renewed. Both local and foreign businesses have settled down here, such as Librairie Avant-grade (先锋书店) and Starbucks. You can also try some other local snacks and pay a visit to the art museums.

    Lao Men Dong is developing so fast that it has become an outstanding landmark of Nanjing's culture.