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》;

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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)
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Notes:
memorial services 法事;
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Three weeks ago, I went to a memorial service for a man who died at the age of 52. He was a sales representative for a textbook publisher, but I remember him as someone with a big heart who always listened carefully and tried to help teachers. I think many English teachers in Japan will miss him. Then, two weeks ago, I went to a memorial service for a singer who died of cancer at the age of 40. She was beautiful and very talented. Death is such a sad thing when it happens to people like these two. (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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