rì běn日本de的shèng dàn jié圣诞节hé和xīn nián新年
When the author was a graduate student in Japan, winter was often very busy, taking care of many small seedlings.
Christmas and New Year in Japan have special customs.
At Christmas, Japanese people like to eat KFC fried chicken and strawberry cake.
Many people book fried chicken in advance to eat with their families.
After Christmas, people start preparing for the New Year.
At New Year, families make a soup called 'Zoni,' which contains rice cakes, meat, and vegetables.
Everyone also eats 'Osechi Ryori,' foods that represent health and good luck.
During the New Year holiday, families rest together and don’t cook too much.
The author sometimes misses their family but has also learned to enjoy the quiet holiday.
Now in the United States, the author celebrates Christmas with friends, eating, chatting, exchanging small gifts, and feeling warmth and happiness.