Inspired by a legendary Chinese New Year monster story, this holiday season reminds us that it is celebration – not fear – that drives the beast away.

Long ago, a fearsome monster called Nian came out every New Year’s Eve to terrorize villagers—eating crops, livestock, and sometimes people.

The villagers eventually learned Nian was afraid of loud noises, fire, and the color red, so they used these to drive it away.

These practices—firecrackers, red decorations, loud celebration—evolved into the joyful traditions we celebrate today.

https://youtu.be/ERvOyy4P1M8

May the season cleanse the past and guide us toward warmth and new adventures.

May your 2026 be delightful, beautiful, and harmonious. Happy New Year from all of us at Monterey Language Services!!!

Somewhere out there, if this video reaches someone in the world, and it touches their heart with hope and relief, if that happens, then that is worth all our effort made for this video!

After Thanksgiving, we spent quite some time working on this video. There was a lot of thinking involved in order to make the video exactly the way that we wanted it to be: hopeful and gentle in the new year!

The video has 6 slides, but it can be considered to be 2 parts. The first part with 3 slides is the reflection of our thoughts about changes, challenges, and how to face them. Our answers came out to be to embrace them, to seek the best of the situation, and to tackle them with a comfortable pace.

The second set of another 3 slides is about taking action. The music stops after the first 3 slides and plays again at the 4th. Everything is awakened. It’s about how tomorrow will be better, and the new year will be full of hope, joy, and success.

The pictures of nature are taken from our surroundings. They’ve touched our hearts and serve as inspirations that will guide us along the new year. These simple and soft pictures indicate what we foresee 2025 to be like, and sets the path for the next year.

The first photo: Light is cast on the mountain top and turns the mountain top from green to golden, which signifies magnificent opportunities to come.

The second photo: It’s an image that coincides with the idea of us taking a comfortable stroll into the new year.

The third photo: The text is displayed between clouds, which embraces the message of changes. A rainbow is also a great symbol stretching towards a bright future.

The fourth photo: This is a picture of dawn taken by us, which is filled with hope and beauty.

The music is relaxing, calming, and reflective, which matches our theme perfectly. Every slide is on the beat and not too strong. The music stops at the end of the first set and starts again distinguishes this year from next year.

The video is a collective expression of Monterey Language Services. Through our expression, we hope to make connections with those who come pass our path. We wish everyone a wonderful and successful 2025 and it is filled with optimism and opportunities for growth.

We also have a traditional and simplified Chinese version, which is very convenient for people to greet each other in the new year with positive, uplifting messages.

Following the celebration sound at the end slide, we open the door to the new year! Happy Holidays, Happy 2025, and Happy New Year!

We asked all of our colleagues to choose some of their favorite songs to be added to a playlist. They made some great choices!

The result is a Mood Booster playlist which shares our positive energy and happy mood, and give others something very special for the holiday season. We had a wonderful experience making this playlist and cherish the energy it brings to us and others!

This has been a process in the making, which started last summer when working with John. Mei-Ling had a chance to learn John’s work rhythm and energy, and it gave her the idea that all of us have an energy to share, and music is a great medium to present that. Emma helped the idea evolve: she made a wonderful start in putting together the video idea and it was completed by Mike, who is a professional music video producer.

Thanks to all our colleagues for their contributions to this project! The playlist really reflects Monterey Language Service’s work together as a team, and all the different energy everyone brings to the team and to others. We hope you will enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it!

From the team here at Monterey Language Services, happy holidays and may you and your loved ones have a blessed Thanksgiving!

All of us at the Monterey Language Services would like to send you our warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year.

Thank you for your continued support and friendship.  We look forward to furthering our relationship in the coming year.

Wish you a happy holiday season
and a successful new year!

Thank you for your continued support and friendship.  We look forward to furthering our relationship in the coming year.

Wish you a happy holiday season
and a successful new year!