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第137次例會，2007年12月29日（週六）下午2:30~5:30
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
Time:
14:30 ~15:30 (Free Talks)
15:30~16:00(Speaker Session)
16:00~17:15 (Topic Discussion)
17:15~17:30 (Happy Time)
Host: Carol Chang
Assistant Host:
Topic: Out with the Old, In with the New Year
除舊佈新迎新年
Source: http://tw.news.yahoo.com/marticle/url/d ... e=new&pg=5
"Three, two, one, Happy New Year!" Most people are familiar with the dropping of the ball of lights in New York City, along with the famous fireworks displays in Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, and Taipei. But here are a few lesser-known New Year's Day traditions from around the globe.
In Japan, people send postcards to friends and family. They also fly kites, play games, and read poetry. Some traditions related to Chinese New Year are banging gongs to drive away bad luck and spirits and giving money to children on January 1.
In Spanish-speaking countries around the world, wearing red underwear on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck in love. In Ecuador, people burn dummies stuffed with paper and firecrackers to symbolize the death of the old year. In Spain and Mexico, people eat 12 grapes to ensure 12 lucky months.
In Scotland, home of the famous New Year song, "Auld Lang Syne," people bring gifts to neighbors just after midnight. In Denmark, people smash old plates to attract new friends. Dutch people believe that doughnuts are good luck because their ring shape symbolizes a complete year.
Around the world, it's common practice to give a loved one a kiss at midnight on New Year's Day. People of many countries also make resolutions, believing that the new year is a good time to leave bad habits behind. Common resolutions include dieting, exercising, or quitting smoking.
Throw a party, watch some fireworks, eat a special food, or make a resolution. No matter where you are, there are plenty of great ways to welcome the New Year.
Vocabulary
1. fireworks display 煙火秀
2. be derived from... 來自∕起源於……
3. lesser-known a. 較不為人知的
4 gong n. 鑼
5. spirit n. 鬼魂
6. dummy n. 假人
7. firecracker n. 鞭炮（常用複數）
set off firecrackers 放鞭炮
8. Auld Lang Syne n. 驪歌
auld lang syne 為蘇格蘭文，直譯成英文是 "old long since" 或 "times gone by"，意思是『逝去已久的日子』，在很多西方國家，這首歌通常會在除夕夜演唱，象徵送走舊年，迎接新年的來臨。
Questions
1. Would you like to share with us about you got any incredible or sweet memory on New Year’s day? Why??
How do you plan to welcome New Year? What ‘s your activity? Would you like to share with us?
例會須知 參與例會，請自行列印當週的討論文章並帶至現場，圖示如下：
請將社團網站，加入我的最愛 http://www.happyforum.org/
台北，每週六 (2005年6月起)
Taipei, Saturday, Weekly
from June, 2005
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
高雄，每月最後一個週日 (2007年4月起)
Kaohsiung, Final Sunday, Monthly
from April, 2007
Place：
viewtopic.php?t=15
20071229, Speaker, Celia Chen
20071229, Game Conductor, Nadine Lan
20071229, Gathering and Feedback
