Notes:
decoration 飾り;
poinsettia【植】 ポインセチア 《上部の葉は燃えるような真紅色でクリスマスの装飾に用いる》;

*********************
There are signs of Christmas everywhere here in Japan. When you go into a store, they are playing Christmas songs, and there are Christmas trees and decorations. You can see the poinsettia, a Christmas plant with beautiful red leaves on top. One of the big differences between Japan and Christian countries is that Christmas is a holiday in those countries. In the U.S., for example, most people have at least half a day off on Christmas Eve and a full day off on Christmas Day.(by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
*********************

Notes:
nursery 保育園，託児所;
affable 〈人が〉話しやすい，親しみのもてる;
pop in ひょいと入る;
*******************
Last year, I had an opportunity to work in a nursery in England. I had been there about 3 months and I had an absolutely wonderful time. All the children were so sweet and affable. This summer holiday, I went back to England to see my friends. I wondered if I could pop in to the nursery but it had been a while since I left. I didn’t think the children remembered me. One day, in a supermarket, a little boy came around and shouted “Annie!” That is what I was called in the nursery. I was very surprised that he still remembered me. How lovely! (written by student Miss Ayana Ito, Nagoya Women’s University; edited by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
*******************