My Big Cousin at University
My big cousin Jenny is 20 years old and goes to a university far away from home. She's really smart and studies really hard. I don't get to see her very much anymore since she's always at school. But I was super excited when my mom told me that Jenny would be coming home for the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday!
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of my favorite times of year. We get to eat delicious mooncakes and carry brightly lit lanterns around the neighborhood. My siblings and I practice for weeks to put on a fun lantern riddle game for our family. The best part is when everyone gathers together to look at the full, bright moon. It's so pretty!
I couldn't wait for Jenny to come home so I could tell her all about the Mid-Autumn Festival. I wanted her to watch our lantern riddle game and eat mooncakes with us. Most of all, I was excited for her to see the giant, golden full moon with our whole family.
关于中秋 A few days before the festival, my parents got a call from the university. The person on the phone had an important announcement for Jenny about the Mid-Autumn Festival. Here's what happened:
"Hello, is this the Wang family residence?" the caller asked in a very serious-sounding voice.
"Yes, this is Mrs. Wang," my mom replied.
"This is Dean Livingston from Bai Tao University. I have an announcement regarding the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival for your daughter Jennifer," the dean said officially.
"Oh yes, Jenny has been looking forward to celebrating with us," my mom said happily. "What is the announcement?"
The dean cleared her throat importantly. "After careful consideration, the university administration has decided to grant all students an extended holiday for the Mid-Autumn Festival this year."
My mom gasped. "A holiday? How wonderful! Jenny will be so pleased."
"Indeed," Dean Livingston continued in her professional tone. "Beginning on the evening of Friday the 13th and lasting until classes resume on Monday the 23rd, students are free to leave campus to travel home and partake in traditional festival celebrations with their families."
Ten whole days! I couldn't believe Jenny would have that much time off from university. This was going to be the best Mid-Autumn Festival ever!
"However," the dean went on, "students must be back on campus by 8am on the 23rd, as any unexcused absence from class will result in academic penalties." She said this part very slowly and clearly, like she was reading off a list of rules.
"Of course, of course," my mom assured her. "Jenny is an excellent student. She will make sure to return on time after the holiday."
The dean gave a satisfied nod. "Excellent. We simply want to make sure all students hav
e ample opportunity to return home and take part in this important cultural tradition. Please pass along the schedule details to Jennifer. We wish your family a joyous and memorable Mid-Autumn celebration."
"Thank you so much, Dean Livingston!" my mom exclaimed, absolutely delighted. "This is such a wonderful gift for the students. Have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!"
After hanging up, my mom hurried to call Jenny and tell her the amazing news. Jenny screamed so loudly on the other end of the phone that I could hear her from across the room. She was going to have over a week off from school to come home for the whole Mid-Autumn Festival! I was bouncing up and down, I was so thrilled.
The next day, Jenny came barreling through the front door with a giant smile. I ran and gave her a huge hug, almost knocking her over.
"Did you hear the news? Did you hear?" I shouted, unable to contain my excitement.
Jenny nodded and ruffled my hair. "I sure did, little cousin! Thanks to the holiday, I get to
spend the full Mid-Autumn Festival at home with you guys this year!"
Over the next few days, the house was a whirlwind of activity as we prepared for Jenny's arrival and the festival celebrations. My parents cleaned like crazy, my siblings and I practiced our lantern riddle game nonstop, and my mom spent hours baking her famous mooncakes.
Finally, the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival arrived. We walked outside as a family, our lanterns glowing brightly and leading the way. Jenny lifted me up on her shoulders so I could get a good view of the huge, golden harvest moon rising over the horizon.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Jenny whispered in awe. I just nodded, taking in the magnificent sight of the full moon surrounded by shimmering stars.
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