Christmas celebrates a birth and Easter looks back on a death. Between Christmas and Easter lies New Year, a time for us to think about the past while looking to the future. I don't have specific memories of every single New Year's Eve that I have experienced. Many of my memories have blended into each other and are difficult to untangle. But some of them stand out as extraordinary, and the following are a few that I treasure in particular.
聖誕節慶祝誕生而復活節回憶死亡。在聖誕節與復活節之間則是跨年，一個讓我們回顧過去同時放眼未來的時刻。我對於我所經歷過的每個跨年都沒有特別的記憶。我的許多回憶都已經融為一體而且難以分離。但有些回憶卻特別脫穎而出，以下是幾個我特別珍惜的回憶。
December 31, 1965
I crawl around our house getting lots of loving attention, probably because I am less than a year old. My grandparents are there, along with all my aunties and uncles, as well as my older sister. Everyone seems so young and full of life, and my dear old dad even has a full head of hair. I don't remember all this, of course. I'm just looking at my precious old photos again.
1965 年 12 月 31 日
我在家中爬來爬去時吸引了許多關愛的眼神，也許是因為我當時還未滿一歲。我的祖父母都在，還有我的阿姨、叔叔們，以及我的姐姐。每個人看起來都好年輕而且充滿活力，我親愛的老爸甚至還有茂密的頭髮。當然，我都不記得這些回憶了。我只是又在看我珍貴的舊照片而已。
December 31, 1972
Christmas is traditionally for families, while New Year's Eve is for friends. Mom and Dad are enjoying a night in the pub with their mates while we kids are home with Grandma, who allows us to stay up very late. To our amazement, just before midnight she hurries us out the back door, and there we stand, trembling in the darkness of the garden. As the church bells ring for midnight, she rewards our patience by giving each of us a shiny new penny to take indoors, saying that we can look forward to a lucky 1973.
1972 年 12 月 31 日
聖誕節在傳統上是家人團聚的日子，而跨年是朋友相聚的時刻。爸媽在酒吧與朋友們享受這個夜晚，我們小孩子則在家陪奶奶，她允許我們可以熬夜。令我們驚訝的是，接近午夜時分時奶奶催促我們走出後門，我們站著，在黑暗的花園中發抖。當午夜的教堂鐘聲一響，她給我們每人一枚閃亮的新便士帶回屋裡作為耐心等候的獎賞，並說我們可以期待幸運的 1973 年。
December 31, 1980
I'm spending the evening at a cool party in my friend Jonathan's garage. I dance and talk to Sarah, the loveliest girl in the world. In February, sadly, her family will move down south and it's unlikely that I'll ever see her again. At 11 o'clock, as promised, I walk over to my sister's boyfriend's house to join the rest of my family, regretting that I won't be able to share a New Year's kiss with Sarah at midnight.
1980 年 12 月 31 日
我在朋友 Jonathan 很酷的車庫派對中度過那晚。我跟 Sarah 交談共舞，世界上最可愛的女孩。難過的是，二月時她們家就要搬到南部，而我可能再也見不到她了。十一點時，我依照約定走到姐姐的男友家與其他家人相聚，我因為無法在午夜與 Sarah 有個新年之吻而感到遺憾。
December 31, 1984
With friends in my dad's car on the way to a nightclub, I have a narrow escape as I am pulled over by a police officer for exceeding the speed limit. When he asks if I have had a drink like many on New Year's Eve, I reply, "Of course not." I'm young but I'm not that stupid. He tells me to drive carefully and watch my speed, and to my relief he lets me go with a warning. Unsurprisingly, my New Year's resolution is to be a careful driver.
1984 年 12 月 31 日
和朋友開著我爸的車前往夜店的路上時，因超速而被警察攔下後，我僥倖逃過一劫。當他問我是否跟很多人一樣在跨年夜喝酒，我回答：「當然沒有。」雖然我很年輕但我並沒有那麼笨。他警告我要小心駕駛並注意開車速限，而讓我鬆了一口氣的是，他警告完之後就放我走了。可想而知，我的新年願望就是當個謹慎的駕駛。
December 31, 1993
My dad passed away in November after losing a year-long battle against cancer, and my mom and the rest of the family have gathered at my sister's house. It's the usual happy occasion but touched with a hint of sadness. At twelve o'clock we link arms, sing "Auld Lang Syne" and think fondly of absent loved ones.
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot, and old lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
I catch my sister's eye and we exchange sad smiles. My New Year's resolution is to think about my dad every day.
1993 年 12 月 31 日
我爸爸在與癌症奮戰一年後不敵病魔，在十一月離開人世，我媽媽與其他家庭成員在姊姊家團聚。那是個一如往常的歡樂時刻，卻點綴著一絲哀傷。在十二點時，我們彼此手挽著手唱著《友誼萬歲》，深深思念著我們深愛卻缺席的家人們。
我們怎能遺忘與往日好友的友誼，怎能不時常緬懷？
我們怎能遺忘與往日好友的友誼，還有過往的美好時光？
為了過往的美好，親愛的，為了過往的美好，我們舉杯共飲，為了過往的美好。
我與姊姊四目相接，對著彼此哀傷地微笑。我的新年願望就是每天都要想到老爸。
December 31, 1999
I watch the biggest party on earth unfold on television. In enormous crowds across the planet, joyful faces are lit up by a million fireworks, and everyone is looking forward in hope and expectation to the new millennium. But the sleepy Japanese city I'm in is quiet. Before going to bed, I look in on my two-year-old daughter. She's sleeping peacefully and I kiss her forehead.
1999 年 12 月 31 日
我在電視上看著全世界最大的派對舉行著。人群在全球大量聚集著，充滿喜悅的臉龐被許多煙火點亮，大家充滿希望與期待地展望新的千禧年。但我所處的寂靜日本城市是安靜的。在上床睡覺之前，我看了一下我兩歲的女兒。她安詳地睡著，而我在她的額頭吻了一下。
December 31, 2016
The family has gathered at my youngest brother's house. His baby boy crawls around the floor getting lots of attention from aunties and uncles and cousins. One day he'll see the photographs and we'll all be looking so young. I wonder what he'll think.
2016 年 12 月 31 日
全家人在我小弟的家裡團聚。他的小兒子在地上爬來爬去，得到阿姨、叔叔與表姊兄弟姊妹的許多關注。有一天，他會看到照片，我們會看起來如此年輕。我想知道他會有什麼想法。
The earth has completed another cycle around the sun, and we continue to mark the passing of time with our traditions, rituals, and numbers. We reflect on the past and look to the future. It's not a complex idea, but one with great significance for us all.
地球又繞了太陽一圈，我們用我們的傳統、儀式典禮以及數字持續記錄時間的逝去。我們反思過去並展望未來。這不複雜，但是一個對我們所有人來說有著重大意義的概念。
- lie [laɪ] v.
存在，在
My sister's birthday lies in December, on Christmas Day, in fact.
實際上，我姐姐的生日在12月，聖誕節那天。
The house is on a small island that lies in the middle of a lake.
房子在湖中間的一個小島上。 - specific [spɪˋsɪfɪk] adj.
特別的，特定的
Many politicians try to avoid giving specific answers to important questions.
許多政客試圖迴避對重要問題給出具體的答案。 - blend [blɛnd] v.
混合，交融；使混合
These animals can change color in order to blend into their background.
這些動物可以改變顏色以融入其背景。
Blend the flour, milk, and eggs to make a sticky mixture.
將麵粉、牛奶和雞蛋混在一起做一個黏黏的混合物。 - extraordinary [ɪkˋstrɔrdn͵ɛrɪ] adj.
非凡的，特別的
Most of the students in our class are good at math, but Diana is extraordinary. She scores 100 on every quiz.
我們班上大多數學生都擅長數學，但 Diana 特別出色。她每次考試都拿100分。 - crawl [krɔl] v.
爬行
Sally's baby is seven months old, and he has just started to crawl around the floor.
Sally 的嬰兒七個月大，他才剛開始在地板上爬行。 - amazement [əˋmezmənt] n.
驚訝，詫異
The look of amazement on Lionel's face showed that he hadn't expected to receive the gift at all.
從 Lionel 臉上驚訝的表情可知，他根本沒想到會收到禮物。 - amaze [əˋmez] v.
使驚訝
It amazes me that Dennis is still trying to get a date with Tina after she has rejected him five times.
令我驚訝的是，Dennis 在 Tina 拒絕他五次之後，竟然還想和她約會。 - tremble [ˋtrɛmb!] v.
發抖，顫抖
Nathan went outside without his coat and trembled with cold all morning.
Nathan 沒有穿外套就出去，因此整個早晨都冷得發抖。 - tremble [ˋtrɛmb!] n.
發抖，顫抖
A tremble of excitement went through the crowd just before the World Cup Final started.
在世界盃決賽開始之前，人群早已激動不已。 - reward [rɪˋwɔrd] v.
獎勵，報償
For my help with the housework, Mom rewarded me with a trip to the seaside.
由於我幫忙做家事，媽媽獎勵我去海邊旅行。 - reward [rɪˋwɔrd] n.
獎賞，報酬
Carrie's new computer is a reward for her good grades in the final exams.
Carrie 的新電腦是她在期末考試中表現出色的獎勵。 - indoors [ˋɪnˋdorz] adv.
在室內，在屋裡
When the rain began, the party in the garden moved indoors.
開始下雨時，花園裡的派對就移到了室內。 - indoor [ˋɪn͵dor] adj.
室內的，屋裡的
Basketball and badminton are two of the most popular indoor sports.
籃球和羽毛球是最受歡迎的兩種室內運動。 - regret [rɪˋgrɛt] v.
遺憾，懊悔
Paula regretted inviting Mike for coffee because he wouldn't stop talking about himself.
Paula 後悔邀請 Mike 喝咖啡，因為他一直不停地談論自己。 - regret [rɪˋgrɛt] n.
遺憾，懊悔
Because of the practical experience she's gained from work, Linda has no regrets about not going to graduate school.
由於 Linda 在工作中獲得了實際的經驗，她對不唸研究所一點遺憾也沒有。 - exceed [ɪkˋsid] v.
超越，超過
Try to cut down on sugar. Exceeding the daily limit in your diet can put your health at risk.
試著減少糖分的攝取。如果你的飲食超出每日攝取量可能會危害你的健康。 - excess [ɪkˋsɛs] n.
過度，過量
Even during the New Year holidays, Yvonne avoided eating to excess.
即使在新年假期期間，Yvonne 也避免過度進食。 - resolution [͵rɛzəˋluʃən] n.
決心，決定
After receiving help from kind strangers when he was a poor student, Toby made a resolution to help people in need one day.
在 Toby 還是個窮學生時得到善良的陌生人幫助後，他下定決心將來要幫助需要的人。 - fondly [ˋfɑndlɪ] adv.
溫柔深情地
Mrs. Jenkins looked fondly at her grandson as she fed him his favorite meal.
Jenkins 太太在餵他的孫子吃他最喜歡的食物時，她溫柔地看著他。 - fond [fɑnd] adj.
喜愛的
You can tell Dave is very fond of his baby brother by the way he holds him in his arms.
從 Dave 牽他弟弟的手你就看得出來他很愛他弟弟。 - acquaintance [əˋkwentəns] n.
認識的人
I saw a few old acquaintances at the party, but I didn't know any of them well.
我在派對上看到一些老朋友，但我跟他們任何一個都不太熟。 - acquaint [əˋkwent] v.
使認識，使熟悉
George went out for a walk to acquaint himself with his new neighborhood.
George 出去散個步，讓他自己熟悉一下這個新的社區環境。 - unfold [ʌnˋfold] v.
發展，呈現；打開
I didn't go to the party, but I'm curious to find out how it unfolded.
我沒有去那個派對，但我滿好奇，想知道它後來怎麼樣。
Brian unfolded the paper June gave him and read what was written on it.
Brian 打開 June 給他的紙條，看看上面寫了什麼。 - firework [ˋfaɪr͵wɝk] n.
煙火
A lot of fireworks were set off at the end of the Fourth of July party.
許多煙火在七月四號的派對上被施放。 - expectation [͵ɛkspɛkˋteʃən] n.
期許，期望
Thousands of people went to the park in expectation of seeing an exciting free concert.
數千人湧入公園，期望看到一場讓人興奮的免費演唱會。
Barry studied hard in high school to live up to his parents' expectations.
Barry 高中時努力讀書，以達到父母期望。 - forehead [ˋfɔr͵hɛd] n.
額頭
The ball hit John on his forehead and made a big red mark.
那顆球打到 Jack 的額頭，留下一塊大大的紅印。 - ritual [ˋrɪtʃʊəl] n.
典禮，儀式；例行公事
Offering food to the dead is a religious ritual performed on a specific day in lunar July in Taiwan.
在七月某個特定的日子為逝去的人提供食物是在台灣舉行的一個宗教儀式。
Amy's daily ritual of putting her makeup on takes her about half an hour.
Amy 每天上妝的例行公事會花她大約半小時。 - reflect [rɪˋflɛkt] v.
認真思考
After she reflected on her mistake, Anne promised herself she would think twice before making a decision next time.
在 Anne 反思她的錯誤之後，她向自己承諾下次要做決定之前要三思而行。 - reflection [rɪˋflɛkʃən] n.
深思
On reflection, Bernard canceled the trip because it was going to cost much more than he had expected.
經過考慮之後，Bernard 取消了旅行，因為那會比他預期還要花錢。 - complex [ˋkɑmplɛks] adj.
複雜的，難懂的
The instructions for operating the machine are quite complex, so you must read them carefully.
機器的操作說明還滿複雜的，所以你一定要仔細讀過。 - complexity [kəmˋplɛksətɪ] n.
複雜
The human brain is a structure of great complexity, and we still have much to learn about it.
人腦是很複雜的結構，我們還有很多要了解的地方。 - significance [sɪgˋnɪfəkəns] n.
重要性，意義
Landing on the moon was an event of major significance for all the people of the world.
登陸月球是對全世界人們來說一項重大的事件。 - significant [sɪgˋnɪfəkənt] adj.
意義深遠的，重要的
Next Saturday is a significant day for Ian; he's going to graduate from high school.
下禮拜六對 Ian 來說很重要；他要從高中畢業了。 - look to
關注
In times of great crisis, people tend to look to themselves and their families first.
在危急時刻，人們傾向優先關注自己和家人。 - stand out
顯眼，突出
With his hair colored purple, Nick really stood out in the crowd.
Nick 將頭髮染成紫色，真的在人群中脫穎而出。 - a narrow escape
僥倖逃過一劫
The passengers had a narrow escape when the bus almost went off the road.
當公車差點駛出路面時，乘客們僥倖逃過一劫。 - pull over
將車子開到路邊
Joshua got pulled over by a police officer, who thought he might have been driving drunk.
Joshua 被一名以為他酒駕的警察攔下來在路邊停車。 - pass away
過世，逝世
After a long illness, Mr. Bond passed away at the age of eighty-three.
在久病一場之後，Bond 先生在九十三歲時過世。 - bring to mind
回想，想起
Seeing the photograph brought to mind the great times I had in school.
看到照片就讓我想起在學校度過的美好時光。 - look in on
關照
Tommy likes to look in on his new baby sister before he goes to school in the mornings.
Tommy 早上去上課之前，喜歡照看他的新生兒妹妹。
