LESSON TRANSCRIPT

Advanced Audio Blog S4 #11

Top 10 Holidays in the United
Kingdom - Christmas Eve

# 11
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Christmas Eve was when the real magic began.T here was something in the air and
the feeling of anticipation was almost palpable.Shoppers rushing for last minute
presents.T he biting cold wind in your face, fingers tucked into gloves; thick socks and
silly pom-pom hats.Wooly jumpers with reindeer patterns.Stressed mothers and
fathers dragging hyperactive children around supermarkets to the tune of tired
Christmas songs.T he fight for the last frozen turkey, too much chocolate, mince pies,
eggnog, and buck's fizz.T here was a buzz and energy, a chaotic day of preparation
and nervous excitement.By evening when most of the work had been done people
began to relax.Bottles of champagne were popped, and families gathered together to
watch Christmas movies on T V.Every year as a child my father would sit me and my
brother on his lap, and read us T he Night Before Christmas.We would warm our hands
over the fire, as chestnuts roasted in the ash beneath the grate.My mother would eat
blue cheese and crackers, the lights of the Christmas tree glinting in the reflection of
the window.We would stare up at the night sky, hoping for snow, or walk outside in the
frosty air, as our breaths rose from our lips like billowing ghosts, to admire the
Christmas lights that decorated the neighbour's houses.As it neared 10pm, my brother
and I would gather near the fireplace and hang out our empty stockings for Santa.Our
Christmas lists had been written and sent up the chimney weeks before.We would
take a glass of whisky and leave it for Santa, and leave a carrot for Rudolph.It was
then up to bed, lying with the lights out, butterflies in our stomachs, listening for the
clip clop of reindeer and the sounds of bells on the roof.Suddenly it was morning, and
that feeling is like no other, when you suddenly realise that this is no ordinary day.We
would rush downstairs, open the door to the living room, and see a huge pile of
presents under the Christmas tree, a stuffed stocking, and my parents smiling and
waiting.We always knew that Santa had been, because the whisky had been drunk
and only the end of the carrot eaten.Needless to say, I never quite stopped believing.

ENGLI S HCLAS S 101.COM ADVANCED AUDI O BLOG S 4 #11 - T OP 10 HOLI DAYS I N T HE UNI T ED KI NGDOM - CHRI S T MAS EVE 2