Hopefully 2009 will be a smooth year!

爆竹聲中一歲除, 春風送暖入屠蘇,
千門萬戶曈曈日, 總把新桃換舊符.

(宋 王安石）

My translation attempt:

A new year arrive with the sound of the firecracker,
People can feel the spring breeze the carries the smell of the wine;
Families eagerly put on the new year couplets under the sunshine.

(Don't use this for your homework or essay, you will probably get a failed grade.)

Love it and hate it

Montreal's winter is harsh compare to Vancouver. Montreal is much colder and has very heavy snow fall. The worst thing is the temperature stays low after the snow fall, which turns the snow/slush to ice. Walking on the street requires careful attention or else one can slip. I think this is the first time I experience a "real Canadian winter."

I do enjoy looking at the falling snow, but I really hate the icy road afterward. There is always a light and dark side to everything