April 28,1999

Dear Taro,

　Hello from Boulder, Colorado. Your friend Sumiko is my pen pal. Last week, I heard from her that you're looking for an American pen pal. I hope we can become good pen pals, too. I'm glad you live in Yamagata, because Yamagata and Boulder are sister cities.
　I'm a high schoo student. I like studying history and French. My teachers are really nice. This September, I'll go to the University of Colorado. I want to study French history there.
　There are four people in my family. My father has a big farm, and my mother helps him. My older brother is a college student. I also have a pet dog. His name is Blendy. He's really cute, and sometimes he sleeps with me on my bed.
　Our city Boulder, is in a beautiful part of America. It's near the Rocky Mountains. In the winter we can go skiing, and in the summer we can go hiking or ride a bike. Many people like to spend time outside, because the weather is sunny most of the year. Of course, in the winter we have snow. But sometimes it's warm even in February, and we can go out without a coat.
　I really want to visit Japan someday, and I hope you can visit Boulder, too.
　Please write to me soon.

Sincerely,

Bob

Welcoming the New Year in America

　The last night of the yearis called New Year's Eve. It is the best time for a big party. In New York, many thousands of people gp to Times Square, in the center of New York City, on New Year's Eve. They listen to music played the bands. They sometimes dance, and they look at the many beautiful lights around the square.
　A few seconds before twelve midnight, the people in Times Square count down: "3, 2, 1," and then, at twelve o'clock, everybody shouts, "Happy New Year!" When the New Year begins, the sky above Times Square is filled with beautiful fire works. Everybody feels happy and sings a special New Year's song together. The big party goes on until early the next morning. Everyone has to wear warm clothes, because Times Square is outside and New York is very cold in winter.
　Other people enjoy a warm New Year's Eve at home, and some of them watch the party at Time Square on TV. Children often don't go to bed until very late. Some families and friends play games together.
　The next day is New Year's Day. Many Americans like to watch football on New Year's Day. Every year on January 1, two of America's best college football teams play a big game. This famous game is called the Rose Bowl. It is played at a big stadium in California, and people can watch the game on TV all over the United States.