Dear Pete,
Thank you for your letter. I was glad to get it.
My congratulations to you on the occasion of your school leaving and give my regards to all your family and my warmest congratulations to Michail on the occasion of his graduating from the University. What was his ceremomy of getting diplomas like? Where did it take place? Were relatives present at the unofficial part? I hope in five or six years we'll have the same kind of ceremony like his one. But now we have to work hard in order to enter the University. I'm going to take four exams to enter my department. And what about you? As I have already written to you I apply to historical department. I believe my dream will soon come true.
I close now. Write to me soon.
Best wishes,
Helen
I like New Year's Day, it is my favourite holiday. The 1st of January is a winter holiday and now it is the first day of the New Year. Peter the First changed the Russian calendar in 1699. He made the 31st of December, 1699 the last day of the year. The first of January 1700 became New Year's Day.
The 1st of January is in the middle of winter. The weather is usually fine and there is a lot of snow everywhere. As the 1st of January is a holiday I don't go to school and my parents don't go to work.