UNICEF reports that 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect .

The USA National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse finds 3 million new reports of child abuse or neglect every year .

According to such information on human rights abuses of children , the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Youth .

In answer to the common human rights abuses of young people , Dr. Mary Shuttleworth of Youth for Human Rights International ( YHRI ) recently completed her seventh annual World Tour to five continents in eighty days .

The purpose of the tour is to promote the

to tens of thousands of children and officials .

According to UNICEF , 1.2 million children are illegally traded all over the world every year .

Sold as goods , these children are forced into inhuman labor , denied basic education and robbed of their childhoods .

Youth who do not know their rights are easily cheated by ill-intentioned men .

That is why YHRI thinks highly of education .

`` When the United Nations declared 2010 as the International Year of Youth , I knew that their human rights had to be greater than ever , '' Dr. Shuttleworth said .

The tour reached Mexico , Guatemala , Panama , Ecuador , Brazil , South Africa , Swaziland , Portugal , Sardinia , Sicily , Italy , Greece , Taiwan , Japan , Hawaii and Los Angeles .

The YHRI World Tour 2010 has reached tens of thousands of students as well as officials , educators , and religious leaders and thus promotes human rights education to millions more .


They graduated from high school and went to the same college for further studies .

After some days Linda found that her friend was behaving strangely .

She would remain quiet , sleep too much and turn wild , very often .

At first , Linda thought it was just because of the problems she had met in her studies .

However , Lucy became even stranger over time .

Finally , Linda could n't take it any longer and asked Lucy about her strange behavior .

Lucy broke into tears and said that she was going around with a boy , who was taking drugs and forcing her to take them , too .

She then advised her friend to leave the boy .

She reminded Lucy of her dreams of becoming a successful doctor and encouraged her to set an example for others .

She also reminded her of how her parents would feel if they found out what their daughter was up to .

Through her efforts , Lucy was finally able to leave the boy and drugs .

During this time , her friend always stood by her .

Finally , the two friends graduated and their friendship grew stronger .

They both became successful doctors , but never let each other down by getting into bad habits .

From the story we can know that true friends are those who encourage you to become the best you can ever be .

They believe in you and will never leave you .


Medicine comes in lots of different packages .

Painkillers in a tablet can make your headache go away .

Antibiotic cream from a tube can prevent your cuts from becoming infected .

But can medicine come packaged in chicken eggs ?

A team of scientists from Scotland say `` yes '' .

They 've engineered special chickens that lay eggs with disease-treating drugs inside .

These eggs come from chickens that have been engineered to produce certain drugs inside their egg whites .

These drugs are made of molecules called proteins .

Animals make thousands of proteins -- they 're the main element in skin , hair , milk and meat .

Since animals can make proteins easily , they 're good candidates for making protein drugs .

Researchers have already made cows , sheep and goats produce protein drugs in their milk .

But chickens are cheaper to take care of , need less room , and grow faster than these other animals .

Those qualities could make chickens a better choice to become living drug factories , says Simon Lillico of the Roslin Institute near Edinburgh , Scotland .

Lillico and a team of researchers changed chickens ' DNA -- the code that tells cells how to make proteins -- so that the birds ' cells made two protein drugs .

One drug can treat skin cancer , and the other treats a nerve disease called multiple sclerosis .

The scientists changed the chickens ' DNA so that the birds made these drugs only in their egg whites .

This protects the chickens ' bodies from the drugs ' possible harmful effects and makes it easy for scientists to collect the drugs .


Here 's our advice to her -- -- and to all kids who feel lonely sometimes .

It 's hard when a best friend is n't around -- -- maybe because she moved to a different school or a different class .

You may feel lonely at break or lunchtime .

You want to have new friends , but how do you make them ?

Maybe it seems like everybody else already has their friends .

But remember , there 's always room for more friends .

Start by looking around your classroom -- -- think about which kids you 'd like to play with at break .

Look for chances to say hi to them , smile , and be friendly .

Offer to share something or express your appreciation to them .

Invite someone to play with you or say `` Do you want to sit here ? ''

When you 're at break , walk over to kids you want to play with , act friendly , and say `` Hi , can I play , too ? ''

If you have trouble doing _ or if you 're feeling shy , ask your teacher to help you make new friends .

Teachers are usually pretty good at matching up friends .

The best way to make friends is to be a friend .

Be kind , be friendly , share , say nice things , offer to help -- -- and pretty soon , you 'll have one , or two , or even more new friends .

You might still miss that special best friend .

But when you see each other , you can share something you did n't have before she left : You can introduce her to your new friends !


Now that America has declared a state of swine flu public health emergency , you may be asking yourself -- what am Isupposed to do ?

Here is a list of practical steps you can take to prepare and protect yourself and your family .

1 ) Know the symptoms -- Here are some of the symptoms that sound like swine flu -- fevers over 100 degrees ( 37.8degC ) , body aches , cough , runny nose , and sometimes , nausea and diarrhea .

It 's also useful to know if you might have had an exposure either by recent travel to Mexico , or to the areas of known cases so far in America -- specific areas of California , Texas , New York , Ohio and Kansas .

Or you may have been exposed to a sick person who came from those areas .

2 ) Do n't panic -- If you have symptoms that sound like swine flu , do not rush to hospitals .

Not only is this difficult for the healthcare system , it can also be potentially dangerous for everyone .

Call your doctor or local public health clinic before going in .

3 ) Contain the illness -- Hand-washing works .

Invest in some hand sanitizer for the whole family .

Avoid hugs and kisses of well-wishers , and do not share telephone handsets or computers .

Be especially careful to always cough into the elbow of your arm ( yes !

Cover your cough and sneeze to protect others .

-- The data shows that masks do work -- as long asthere is a tight seal about the mouth and nose .

5 ) Eat the pork ( if you want ) -- Swine flu gets its name because pigs can get the infection and spread it to each other -- as well as to humans .

This latest virus contains pieces that indicate it evolved from swine flu virus , and can now spread from person to person .

Swine flu is not spread by properly prepared and cooked pork products .

-- In our go-go-go culture and these severe economic times , it can be very hard to call a boss and cancel a day 's work .

Now , however , if you or your loved ones are feeling like there 's a flu coming on , stay home .

-- Right now , it 's too early for any of us to become a Swine Flu Shut-In , but the public health department recommends that each home have two weeks of supplies , in case we must stay home -- either for illness or to help contain transmission .

That means two weeks of food for everyone in your home , two weeks of all medications , and , if you 're like most people , two weeks of books and DVDs .


Nigel received a reward for his excellence in study .

It began when he was selected to help the teachers in the computer laboratories .

The peak of his school career came not when he topped the school but when he was selected for the nationwide competition .

Unlike everyone else , Nigel wanted to join the contest because he liked making something out of the Lego sets .

Nigel spent the next two months rebuilding the robot .

It was during the time that Nigel found out about the prizes for the competition as well as another competitor , Alicia , from a neighboring school .

Getting the thousand-dollar prize was more important than anything else .

Unaware of his intentions , she told him all about the robot that she had been building for the competition .

He even helped her to put the finishing branches to her robot .

He was glad with the way things had progressed .

His robot was able to become a ball with its arms , which Alicia had failed to do .

Everything did n't dawn on her until she saw him among the competition .

She stared at him , puzzled at first , then angry and finally a look of helplessness came over her .

The flashbulbs of the camera exploded in Nigel 's try .

The robot bird performed actions so unique that the specialist judgments were the same .

Nigel was so personal with himself that he did not even notice the girl standing a few feet away from him .

Without her , he would never win the competition .


Woody Guthrie left California for New York in 1940 .

There he met Alan Lomax , an expert on America 's traditional music .

He collected and recorded traditional American folk music , which had few fans at that time .

When he heard Woody sing , Lomax knew he had found a true singer of American folk music .

Lomax recorded many of Woody 's songs for the Library of Congress .

Three years later , Woody published a book called Bound for Glory .

It was about his early life and travels .

From this book people came to learn how Woody had spent his unhappy youth .

His mother , Nora Guthrie , died of Huntington 's Disease in 1929 when he was only seventeen years old .

There was no treatment for the disease .

About twenty years later , the disease also began to attack the son .

Woody 's health got worse and worse , and finally he entered a hospital .

While Woody seemed to be forgotten , his music was not .

By the late 1950s , folk music became popular in America .

More Americans began listening and playing the songs of Woody Guthrie .

Young folk singers came to New York to visit Woody in the hospital .

Among them was Bob Dylan , one of America 's greatest popular songwriters .

Dylan and others copied the way Woody sang and played the guitar .

And like Woody , they wrote songs that called for social and political justice .

Woody Guthrie stayed in the hospital until he died in 1967 .

In the last years of his life , Woody could hardly speak .

But his family and friends knew he still believed in the causes he had sung and written about all his life .

They knew this because when they sang his songs , Woody 's eyes would become brighter and his defiant spirit would shine through .


Shanghai Super Star provides combination service including translation and tourism and sourcing , focusing on interpreting and translation .

Our professional team offer highly professional business interpreters , assistants , companions and exhibition translators and sourcing for a variety of business requirements as well as tour guides to first-time tourists coming to China .

^ Our professional and experienced business interpreters/translators have more than 5 years ' experience and also have professional education background like business , foreign trade , management etc .

^ Our knowledgeable and enthusiastic private tour guides are always ready to help design your unique trip .

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So we will be your great choices when you need interpreters for trade shows , trade fairs , exhibitions or you need business assistants for your business trip like supplier meetings , factory visiting , project negotiation etc .

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I had the pleasure of working with Susan on multiple trips to Shanghai .

Susan is very professional and likes her job .

Having Susan as our translator made the trip enjoyable .

In every respect , Susan did an excellent job as our interpreter .

She was always friendly and professional , so everyone felt comfortable working with her .

And she had no problem communicating clearly about technical subjects and sensitive business issues .

I recommend Susan to any companies doing business in Shanghai and nearby cities .


Raising pets is a popular online game among teenagers .

`` More than 20 of my classmates have adopted pets online , while last year the number was just 10 , '' said Wang Hui , a middle school student from Beijing , who also raises pets online .

If you go to some websites , you can adopt virtual pets like penguins , chickens , dogs and elephants .

You can feed , wash , talk to and play with your pet .

Dai Yingshuang of Shanghai raises pets on KaixinOOl .

The 15-year-old girl said it is great fun .

She thinks that she has also learned how to take care of others .

If one does n't feed and care for the pet , it becomes unhappy and unhealthy .

So raising an online pet means spending a lot of time online .

They fear there will be bad influence in the children 's studies .

Dai said that she usually asks her uncle to take care of her pet , while she is at school .

Wang Zhaotong , from Anhui , has been raising a penguin on QQ .

The 14-year-old girl takes good care of the penguin .

She said her parents knew about the penguin and think it 's Okay .

If the students can keep the balance between studying and playing , it 's not bad for them to `` raise '' pets online .


Former Hollywood child star Shirley Temple died on Monday at home in Woodside , California , from natural causes .

`` She was surrounded by her family and caregivers , '' a statement said .

With her adorable charm and blonde curls , she was one of the most popular stars of the 1930s , in hit movies like Bright Eyes and Stand Up and Cheer .

Her singing , dancing and acting won over fans worldwide .

She was given a special teenager Oscar in 1935 , when she was just six years old .

To this day , she is still the youngest person to receive an Academy Award .

After retiring from films in 1950 at the age of 21 , Temple returned to the spotlight as a politician and diplomat .

Shirley Temple started her film career at three years old .

Between 1934 and 1938 she appeared in more than 20 feature films and was consistently the top US movie star .

The youngster wore a grass skirt and played a Ukulele to promote the musical Captain January , directed by David Butler , in 1936 .

She attended her first big premiere for her film Wee Willie Winkie in Hollywood on 26 June , 1937 .

As well as being the youngest ever receiver of an Oscar ( at the age of 6 years and 310 days ) , Temple was also the youngest person to present one of the statuettes .

She stood on a chair to give Claudette Colbert the best actress prize for It Happened One Night in 1935 .

At the age of 12 Temple`s star burnt out - her parents bought out the remainder of her contract and sent her to a girl`s school .

Her final film , A Kiss For Corliss , is available to watch online for free .

This is star`s final ever moment on the big screen .

The actress retired from Hollywood in 1950 , but she still appeared occasionally on TV .

In 1958 she wore a fairy godmother costume to promote her series of dramatised fairy tales , Shirley Temple`s Storybook .

In 2006 , she accepted the Life Achievement Award at the 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards .


My father 's family is not a musical family .

My brother has my father 's dark hair , his love of a good argument .

From her I inherited a curious nature , a sense of adventure , bright red hair .

I did not , contrary to her hopes , inherit a talent for the piano .

That fact was established beyond doubt after unsuccessful attempts to draw music from me .

The piano lessons began when I was four .

My mother was convinced that I would be a child Mozart .

She found the ideal teacher-Madame Oblenka , a strict Russian woman , whose pursed lips were enough to frighten a wild horse into submission .

Madame Oblenka , who expected a little Mozart , was not very delighted to find a little girl banging her fists on the keys .

I `` felt '' it and winced my ears-for what is more unpleasant than a series of wrong notes played continuously ?

She `` felt '' my music , too , which is why she always left with an angrier expression than when she came .

Once , when I was ten , I managed to record one of my own rehearsals .

In order to escape my practice sessions , I would close myself behind the door of the piano room , put on the tape recording , and read until the tape had finished .

That method worked for a week , until my mother began to wonder why I always missed the same B-sharp .

She knocked on the door , and , receiving no answer , came in to check on me and found that I had fallen asleep while the tape of my performance played on and on .

I was twelve when my parents finally acknowledged that my hidden talent was not about to emerge any time soon .

My mother , refusing to admit defeat , told me to pick another instrument .

`` Choose anything you want , Honey , '' she said , assuming that freedom of choice would inspire devotion .

I thought long and hard and chose the drums .

My parents , sensitive to noise , would be less than overjoyed by a daily bombardment of playing .

I imagined my father in his study , cotton wads in his ears .

I worked my way through several other instruments before my mother hit on another idea .

Maybe I was n't meant to be an instrumentalist .

Realizing that drama might be more suited to my talents , Mom took me to a drama teacher .

However , he put me backstage , painting scenery .

Once I recovered from my sense of injury , I realized the wisdom of his choice .

I loved the active , practical backstage world , and I discovered that I had a knack for constructing and painting .

I loved the challenge of taking our scanty supplies and using them to make something beautiful .

Imagining a scene and then seeing it emerge before me-this , to me , was close to magic .

I 'm a sculptor now , and every day I experience afresh the joy of being fully absorbed in the act of artistic creation .

I realize that my parents , in their misguided attempts to interest me in music , were trying to give me this feeling .

Perhaps they went about it in the wrong way , but their hearts were in the right place .


When you were very young , you liked to play with your friends .

Did you find that playtime was always more fun when everyone shared the toys ?

That 's a life lesson that changes as you get older .

As you grow up , you begin to understand that others have less than you do - in China and in the world .

And that those of us who `` have '' things should help those who `` have less '' than we do .

The idea of sharing makes a great difference .

At your age , you can `` share '' with people in need in three ways .

You can give them a part of your money .

You can share items you no longer use , such as clothing and toys .

You can pass them onto others who can not buy them .

You can help people by giving your time and your energy .

The last one is also called volunteering .

Volunteering is about giving your time to take part in activities that will help others .

Every year , many thousands of volunteers in the world give the most valuable gift of all .


Recently , South Korean star PSY 's 'Gangnam style '' video has been popular on the Internet .

It has become most people 's favorite music .

In fact , the song has set the Guinness World Record for the most popular video in the history of the Internet .

More than two million people have said `` like '' since the song was on the Internet on July 15 .

PSY '' s special dance moves and funny horse riding style have attracted many people .

Although many people do not understand the language , the video has become the talk of the Internet .

The song has come to first place in the music charts in 31 countries , including the United States , the United Kingdom , and Canada .

`` I just sang for my South Korean fans .

I have never expected it to be popular in other countries , '' PSY told the reporters on a concert .

The song was so popular that a few of South Korean 's politicians showed PSY 's moves to attract supporters .

It sings about the rich life of South Korea -- especially Gangnam in Soeoul , where a lot of rich people live .

Millions of people have watched the video .

Many stars , such as Katy Perry , Robbie Williams and Nelly Furtado said that they love the song .

These stars performed part of the song at a recent concert .

Riding high on the success of `` Gangnam Style '' , PSY was signed by Scooter Braun to Braun 's Schoolboy Records , a label distributed by Universal Republic .

PSY has written many hit songs of varying styles for different singers .

Prior to `` Gangnam Style '' his most famous composition perhaps was Lee Seung Gi 's debut song `` Because You Are My Woman '' .


While Americans feel worried about how to look after their children and help them grow , French parents are raising happy , well-behaved children without all the anxiety .

Pamela Druckerman , an American mother living in Paris , watched carefully as to why French children seem to behave so much better than American children .

While eating at the restaurants in Paris , I noticed the French kids were either sitting in their chairs waiting for their food or eating fish and even vegetables , happy and satisfied .

There was no shouting or crying , and there were no pieces of food around their tables .

However , my 2-year-old daughter , Beth , took a brief interest in the food .

She could n't keep herself in her chair and ran around the table .

Though by that time I 'd live in France for a few months , I could n't explain it .

After surveying French parents , I realized that they are n't perfect , but they have some parenting secrets that do work .

French parents seem to have different ideas about raising kids .

One of the keys to this education is the simple act of learning how to wait .

It is why the French babies I have encountered mostly sleep throughout the night from two or three months old .

Their parents do n't pick them up the moment they start crying , allowing the babies to learn how to fall back asleep .

It is also why French kids will sit happily at a restaurant .

Rather than snacking all day like American children , they mostly have to wait until mealtime to eat .

French kids always have three meals a day and one snack at about 4:00 pm .


From Nigerian science fiction to a time-travelling serial killer , Brittle Paper selects the best works of fiction from the continent to inspire our inner desire to travel .

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts - Amos Tutuola

Who would n't want to get enveloped in a fog of magical delight ?

The novel describes the adventures of a little boy lost in a forest .

His search for the way back home seem to take him deeper and deeper into secret colonies of creatures living in reality .

He is under the spell of a life-long dream to traveling out to the moon when the mysterious Mr Bello offers him the chance to man a Nigerian space-exploration mission .

But like most dreams , what starts out as the magical fulfillment of desire quickly slips into the kingdom of nightmare .

In novels like this , travelling through space easily becomes a journey into the self .

Ama Ata Aidoo 's novel is a tourist adventure set in Germany and London .

It charts the journey of Sissie , a bright and self-assured African student who wins a European travel scholarship .

Like any good explorer , she is very aware of her surroundings - an awareness that she conveys in a mixture of poetic and prose expressions .

In the 16th century , a group of five ships set sail from Spain for the New World .

Estabanico , a survivor of the expedition , is our latest guide through the unknown lands and peoples .

He lives to tell the story of their following travels heading out to Florida and how their dream of becoming wealthy conquerors becomes a journey in search of self-discovery and redemption .


When he was a teenager , Hunter Adam was very unhappy and he spent many years in a special hospital for people with mental health problems .

When he left the hospital , Adam decided to become a doctor , so he went to a medical school in Virginia , USA .

But when he was there , he did things in a different way .

For example , he did n't like the doctor 's white coats , so he wore shirts with flowers on them when he visited his patients and he tried to make them laugh .

The doctors at the medical school did n't like Adams because he was too different .

But Adams believed that people in hospital need more than medicine .

He saw unhappy and lonely people , and he tried to help them as patients , but as people too .

He spent a lot of time with children in the hospital and often dressed up like a clown to make the children laugh

When he finished medical school and become a doctor , Adams opened his own hospital , called `` the Gusundheit Institute '' , together with some other doctors .

They wanted it to be a place with a different way of working with sick people .

Hunter Adams became famous during the 1980s , and in 1988 , Universal Pictures made a film about his life .

In the film , Robin Williams played Adams .

Williams said , : `` hunter is a really warm person , who believes that patients need a doctor who is a friend .


Born in America in 1898 , William was an extraordinary boy , gifted with an amazing IQ between 250 and 300 .

The genius went to a grammar school when he was only 6 years old and graduated just within 7 months .

At the age of 11 , he became the youngest student of the Harvard University .

He graduated with high scores at the age of 16 and entered Harvard Law School at 18 .

Gifted with an amazing IQ between 220 and 230 , Terence Tao makes it to this list of the people with the highest IQ in the world .

Born in Adelaide , Australia in 1975 , this genius first displayed his incredible intelligence at a mere age of 2 , when he managed to solve basic arithmetic questions on his own .

At the age of 16 , he graduated with both Master 's and Bachelor 's degrees at the Flinders University .

Fix it `` by Charles Fefferman , who is a professor of Mathematics at Princeton University , and many other mathematicians want to interest him in their problems .

This 31-year-old Japanese-American astrophysicist lands him third in this list .

At the age of 12 , Christopher Hirata already worked on college-level courses , around the time most of us were just in the 7th grade .

At the age of 13 , this gifted kid became the youngest American to have ever won the gold medal in the International physics Olympiad .

At the age of 16 , he was already working with NASA on its project to conquer planet Mars .

D. at Princeton University , he went back to California Institute of Technology .

The next person with very high IQ is Albert Einstein .

With an IQ between 160 and 190 , Albert Einstein is the genius behind the theory of relativity , which has had great impact on the world of science .

He possessed such an amazing ability that after his death , researchers were eager to preserve and make research on his brain in search for clues to his exceptional brilliance , which to this day , has remained a mystery .


Many facts suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse , according to the doctors .

I feel there are a number of reasons for this .

Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy , fatty foods , such as fried chicken and ice cream , at low prices .

This has turned out a whole generation of grown-ups who seldom cook a meal for themselves .

If there were fewer of these restaurants , then probably children would buy less take-away food .

There is another argument that blames parents for allowing their children to become overweight .

I agree with this , because good eating habits begin early in life , long before children start to visit fast food shops .

If children are given fried chicken and chocolate rather than healthy food , or are always allowed to choose what they eat , they will go for sweet and salty foods every time , and this will carry on throughout their lives .

There is a third reason for this situation .

Children these days take very little exercise .

When they get home , they sit in front of the television or their computers and play computer games .

Not only is this an unhealthy pastime , it also gives them time to eat more unhealthy food .

What they need is to go outside and play active games or sports .

The above are the main reasons for this problem , and therefore we have to encourage young people to be more active , as well as steering them away from fast food shops and bad eating habits .


On the first day of the sixth grade , I waited at the bus stop for the school bus .

When it arrived , I got on and I noticed one little girl called Amy .

She was different from everyone else on the bus .

`` Do n't talk to Amy , '' warned Lauren , who sat beside me .

`` Or everybody will make fun of you . ''

Amy had many physical differences and the other kids always made fun of her .

They would say , `` God , what a strange face !

For a while I shouted insults at Amy too , just so I could fit in .

After all , I did n't want the other kids treating me the same as they treated Amy .

I could see that the insults were making her feel ashamed and lonely .

I did n't know how to stop my schoolmates insulting Amy until the night of our class skating party .

Our whole class was there , including Amy .

Amy did n't know how to skate , but I could see how much she wanted to have fun like the rest of us .

So I skated over to her and took her by the hand .

Holding her hand , I slowly pulled her , and together we began the journey around the skating rink .

I did n't say a word to her , and she did n't speak to me .

She just smiled , and every once in a while she would laugh in excitement .

The next morning , on the school bus the other kids talked a lot about Amy and me .

And they did n't do that for the rest of the year .

When the school year ended , my family moved away , and I never heard of Amy again .

But I 've always hoped that I changed her life for the better .

After becoming her friend , I no longer tried to impress people by trying to act like them or dress like them .


It centers on a shoeshiner who takes pity on an immigrant child in the French port city Le Havre .

He tries to save him by inviting him to his home .

The film premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival , where it received the FIPRESCI Prize .

Also known as Mia and the Migoo , this animated film describes the adventure of a young girl named Mia .

Motivated by a premonition , Mia sets out on a journey across mountains and jungles to search for her father .

The film won the European Film Award for Best Animated Feature .

Director Jacques-Remy Girerd will also show up at China Film Archive .

Also known as A Trip to the Moon , this silent movie was inspired by the French novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon , by Jules Verne .

It follows a group of astronomers who travel to the moon and explore it .

They meet lunar inhabitants and capture one before returning to Earth .

Find schedule and ticket information about the French movie panorama at http : //www .

The China Film Archive will also present a short lecture before each French movie on how to understand it .


You 've heard of fast food , but what about slow food ?

Slow food is an international movement .

It promotes home cooking , and the use of fresh , unprocessed produce .

It was founded as reaction to the popularity of unhealthy fast food .

It also encourages people to buy food from local businesses , rather than large supermarkets .

The movement began in 1986. at that time , McDonald 's wanted to open a restaurant in the centre of Rome ( Italy ) .

Food writer Carlo Perini , along with others , was against this .

So , the Slow Food Organization was born .

Today , it has overt 100,00 members in 132 countries .

And its symbol is one of the world 's slowest moving creatures , the snail .

The organization 's website explains , `` The snail was chosen because it moves slowly , and calmly eats its way through life . ''

But Slow Food is n't just about the food we eat .

Slow foodies say that in our fast - food world with very little time , we 've forgotten that eating should be a social activity .

They believe families should eat together and talk , rather than watch TV with their dinner while sitting in front of it .

In fact , research has shown that if children grow up in a family that eats together at the table , they are more likely to do well in school , and less likely to have behavioral problems or devel op eating disorders .

Slow Food has sparked an entire Slow Food Movement .

This encourages people to slow down the pace of their busy lives .

And now , within the movement , there 's Slow Money , Slow Travel , Slow Parenting , Slow Art and Slow Media , among many others .

In 1999 The World Institute of Slowness was formed .

One of the Institute 's slogans is a quotation by the famous American actress Mae West .

She said , `` Everything worth doing in life , is worth doing slowly . ''


Welcome to the Kampala Beach Hotel Reservations System .

You can reserve a room or package one of three ways : ( a ) online , ( b ) by phone , and ( c ) by email .

You can take advantage of special savings by booking direct with us online .

Enter your travel dates and the number of guests below to book your room online now .

Click here to check on an existing online reservation .

If you are searching for a specific package , please make sure your check-in and check-out dates allowing for the minimum number of nights in the package .

You may make reservations for a maximum of 4 guests per room .

For requests of 10 rooms or more , please refer to Group Accommodations .

If you prefer to reserve by phone , please call :

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If you prefer to submit an e-mail reservations request , click here .

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A Scottish woman has given birth to twins for the third time .

Karen Rodger , 41 , welcomed her first pair of girls rowan and Isla after having twice given birth to twin boys .

`` I still have n't really taken it on board because I was convinced I was having two boys , '' Rodger told Sky News .

Karen said her husband Colin was equally stunned when the couple learned they were going to have their fifth and sixth child .

`` He thought I was joking and immediately wrote back to say 'this is not funny ' .

I had to explain that it really was true , '' Karen said .

The average couple has about a 3 percent chance of having twins when not accounting for fertility drugs .

And with each following pregnancy , the changes of producing twins a second , or even third time , become less .

Karen , a dance lecturer , first learned of the incredibly rare occurrence during a visit to her doctor and immediately texted her husband to share the news .

It never crossed my mind that it would be twins again .

I just thought that would n't happen to people like me , but I 'm ly delighted , '' she said .

It had been several years since the couple 's last children were born .

Their oldest twins are 14 and the second set was born just two years later .

`` I turned 40 and I thought , if I 'm going to do it , I should do it now , '' Karen said .

`` I spoken to my husband and we both thought we 'd quite like another one so that was it and , one month later , I was pregnant . ''

Colin says the age and gender difference will ensure a sweat-inducing dilemma for any future suitors of the twin girls .

It will be a frightening challenge for any boyfriend .


Claressa was getting ready for a fight .

But this time , the prizes were higher than ever .

If she won this fight , Claressa would win a spot on the US Olympic Women 's Boxing Team .

Claressa was up against a two-time US champion .

`` Her whole game plan was to hold me against the ropes so I would n't hit her , '' says Claressa .

She also won the title of outstanding fighter for the whole tournament !

Claressa , now 17 , started boxing when she was just 11 .

He had been a fighter when he was younger .

But when she first told her dad that she wanted to box , he did n't support her .

Boxing is a man 's sport , ' '' Claressa remembers .

I knew that whatever I put my heart and my work into , I was going to be successful at it , '' she says .

Finally , her dad took her to the boxing gym to start training .

`` Everybody was looking at me , '' she says .

Claressa did n't worry about fitting in .

Claressa now has a boxing record of 23 wins and zero losses .

`` I think you 're awesome , '' her dad told her not long ago .

`` I 'm still proving people wrong , '' says Claressa .

How does Claressa feel when she steps into the ring ?

She knows it 's important to stay confident .

`` I 've never gotten into the ring thinking that a girl can beat me , '' she adds .

But Claressa takes the competition seriously .

`` I always tell myself it 's going to be harder than I think , '' she says .

`` I fight them all like they are world champions .

If I think it 's going to be easy , I 'm done ! ''

We asked Claressa to imagine stepping into the ring at the Olympics .

Would it feel any different from her other fights ?


When he arrived at his seat in the classroom that morning , he found an invitation on his desk .

It was from some of his classmates asking him to join their camping trip .

This was the first time he was asked to join in an out-of-school activity .

In fact , he had been so lonely that he ate a lot to make himself feel less lonely .

As a result , he had put on a lot of weight , and this gave the children something more to make fun of him .

Cindy , who was standing near Jess when he read the invitation , went out quickly to tell the others that the trick had worked .

Everyone was happy that Jess thought that was true .

But later , when Jess told her that he was going to buy a sleeping bag with his pocket money , Cindy had a second idea .

She knew that Jess 's family had little money , and she hated to see him spend his pocket money on something he would never use .

Cindy also hated to tell Jess the truth .

Her close friends would be unhappy with her .


No one is sure how the ancient Egyptians built the pyramids near Cairo .

But a new study suggests they used a little rock'n'roll .

Long-ago builders could have attached wooden poles to the stones and rolled them across the sand , the scientists say .

`` Technically , I think what they 're proposing is possible , '' physicist Daniel Bonn said .

People have long puzzled over how the Egyptians moved such huge rocks .

On average , each of the two million big stones weighed about as much as a large pickup truck .

The Egyptians somehow moved the stone blocks to the pyramid site from about one kilometer away .

The most popular view is that Egyptian workers slid the blocks along smooth paths .

Many scientists suspect wokers first would have put the blocks on sleds .

Then they would have dragged them along paths .

To make the work easier , workers may have lubricated the paths either with wet clay or with the fat from cattle .

Bonn has now tested this idea by building small sleds and dragging heavy objects over sand .

Evidence from the sand supports this idea .

Researchers found small amounts of fat , as well as a large amount of stone and the remains of paths .

However , physicist Joseph West think there might have been a simpler way , who led the new study .

West said , `` I was inspired while watching a television program showing how sleds might have helped with pyramid construction .

I thought , `` Why do n't they just try rolling the things ? ``

A square could be turned into a rough sort of wheel by attaching wooden poles to its sides , he realized .

That , he notes , should make a block of stone `` a lot easier to roll than a square '' .

He and his students tied some poles to each of four sides of a 30-kilogram stone block .

That action turned the block into somewhat a wheel .

Then they placed the block on the ground .

They wrapped one end of a rope around the block and pulled .

The researchers found they could easily roll the block along different kinds of paths .

They calculated that rolling the block required about as much force as moving it along a slippery path .

West has n't tested his idea on larger blocks , but he thinks rolling has clear advantages over sliding .

At least , workers would n't have needed to carry cattle fat or water to smooth the paths .


He asked every taxi driver about his name .

It cost 5 dollars from the airport to the hotel .

`` How much does it cost for the whole day ? ''

`` 100 dollars , '' said the taxi driver .

This was very dear , but the man said it was OK .

The taxi driver took the man everywhere .

He showed him all the parks and museums in the city .

In the evening they went back to the hotel .

The traveler gave the taxi driver 100 dollars and said , `` What about tomorrow ? ''

The taxi driver looked at the man and said , `` Tomorrow is another 100 dollars . ''

The next day the taxi driver took the traveler everywhere again .

They visited all the parks and museums again .

And in the evening they went back to the hotel .

The man gave the taxi driver 100 dollars again and said , `` I 'm going home tomorrow . ''

The driver was sorry because he liked the traveler and 100 dollars a day was a lot of money .

`` New York , '' the taxi driver said , `` I have a sister in New York .


Juac has made the leap from being an African refugee to a chess champion in the United States .

His job is to share his expertise with students in schools , chess camps and other events .

During Sudan 's civil war in the mid-1980s , Juac was forced out of the country with 20,000 0ther so -called Lost Boys .

He fled to Ethiopia , then to Kenya staying in a refugee camp for eight years , where he learned to play chess .

Juac described a dangerous journey in which half the boys did n't survive .

To eat , they had to kill wild animals .

It was about a thousand miles and sometimes there was no water .

When we were in Ethiopia , we had to cross the river and there a lot drowned . ''

Juac arrived in the United States in 2004 and began working as a security guard .

Winning a chess tournament gave him this teaching opportunity .

Juac believes chess helps prepare young people for life .

`` Some kids are not interested , so it 's your job to make them like the game , to explain them what chess is going to help them with . ''

`` Like , I can tell , this game will give you patience , and help with your math skills . ''

Julie Cathone , a second grade teacher in Jackson Public School , agrees .

The School 's principal , Meghan Kelley , said Juac and chess have made a big difference .

I mean when you think about just overcoming , and finding what you love and turning that into your life 's work . ''

Juac said he enjoys the freedom he has in the United States .

But his passion is playing and teaching chess to youngsters .

His boss , Michael Propper , said Juac has one great advantage .

I think they look at him and he 's so unassuming that they feel like they can do what he 's doing and be a person as he is too . ''

Ju ac still has a big goal ahead of him-becoming an international chess master .

With his skill and patience , Propper and his peers have no doubt that will happen .


What does the word `` home '' mean to you ?

Although people usually know what the word means , it often has no exact translation .

It 's not surprising really , because the idea of home differs from country to country , and from person to person .

A home is more than a roof and four walls .

It 's the cooking , eating , talking , playing and family living that go on inside , which are important as well .

And at home you usually feel safe and relaxed .

But it 's not just that homes look different in different countries , they also contain different things and reveal different attitudes and needs .

For example , in cold northern Europe , there 's a fire in the living room or kitchen and all the chairs face it .

In the south , where the sun shines a lot and it 's more important to keep the heat out , there are small windows , cool stone floors and often no carpets .

We asked some people about their homes .

How often do people move house in your country ?

`` In my country many people do n't stay in one place for a very long time .

They often move every ten years or so . ''

What are typical features of homes in your country ?

`` In Britain , even in town there 's always a garden and sometimes a cellar .

We have separate bedrooms and living rooms .


It should be very clear that we live in a most spectacular time .

It 's a time when information is of primary importance .

It 's a time when new information technologies are fundamentally transforming the world in every aspect .

Among the changes , which have come upon modern society , the ones in education are probably the most obvious and influential .

New information technologies are accelerating changes in education , at the same time presenting revolutionary tools with the potential to make education more efficient and more effective than ever .

The application of new information technologies has remarkably promoted the process of education .

Online learning is probably the best case in point .

As is often the case with `` technology '' , online learning may appear to be horrible ; it can sound like alphabet soup sometimes .

Now let 's see whether you can understand all this .

You can participate in CBT at a CLC via the convenience of IDL .

Let me translate : GBT -- Computer-Based Training ; CLC -- Computer Learning Center ; IDL -- Interactive Distance Learning .

Online learning is much less complicated than it seems .

Students can learn at any time , anywhere , at any speed .

They can make their own learning schedules and follow their own paths to suit their lifestyles .

In my university , every semester there 're several online courses available , which need no class meetings or paper materials .

The only thing I have to do is just to get online regularly as I wish , and download necessary learning materials .

Then everything I need to know about the course is only a click away .

But online learning is not perfect ; it 's like the microwave oven : it does some things better , but it is not a complete replacement for the traditional model .

The traditional classroom model for education and learning is hard to leave behind .

Because humans are social creatures , there 're times when we need to see each other face-to-face for interactive learning .

A social and personal connection often builds effective teams , solves problems , and inspires confidence .

So one possible solution is to combine online learning with the old traditional classroom learning , which not only makes the learning process faster and cheaper , but also highlights the interactions between teachers and students .

The bottom line : the Internet is the most important educational tool in the information age and online learning will become a main part of every individual 's learning experience in the future .

That 's exactly how we will move knowledge from the ones who have it to the ones who need it faster and cheaper , and that 's how we 're going to survive in the information age .


My legs do n't do much because I have a serious disease .

When people look at me , they only see the chair -- my wheelchair .

I 've been in one since I was 3 years old .

And it does n't matter if I graduate at the top of my class and go to law school .

To some , I 'll always be the girl in the chair .

But I do n't think of myself as the kid who ca n't walk .

Most of my friends do n't even notice the chair anymore .

I 'm just the girl they 've been friends with .

My friends are good at lifting me in and out of my small car when we go to the movies .

One of the boys helped me out of the car and all the girls helped me to fix my dress .

Even in the crowded school elevator , there 's always someone around to carry me .

There are a lot of things I ca n't do for myself , such as lifting my arms , dressing myself , and feeding myself .

Even so , I do very well at school and I always tell myself that I 'm just like any other kid in my school .

The truth is that my parents raised me to be proud of my disability .

There are plenty of things I wish I could do differently .

I also wanted to dance and play soccer .

My parents taught me that I 'm like this for a reason -- to educate people and show them that this disease affects my bones -- not my brain .

My friends Erica once said to me , `` Kennedy , you 're not disabled .


When you were a child you had a pure mind which was free from worries and anxieties .

However , as time goes by , you 're faced with so many problems in life .

Below are five techniques that can help you get relaxed .

When you start being concerned about things which are not related to you , you lose your control on your thought process , which often has negative results disturbing the mental peace .

Basically , your mind starts wandering here and there .

So next time an unnecessary thought comes to your mind , think whether this is really something you should be worrying for ?

If not , keep it away and focus on something positive , practical and fruitful .

Surround yourself with positive people .

Ignore negative comments and stay away from negative souls .

When someone is negative , he spreads negativity and you get affected .

Staying with such people will have long term influence on your character so think about your company .

Remember : the great quote : small minds discuss people ; Average minds discuss events ; Higher minds discuss ideas and Great minds act in silence .

Do n't allow your brain to compare yourself to others as this is an insult to yourself .

Do n't be jealous ; it 's a heart killing disease , get rid of it as soon as possible .

When you are jealous you focus on finding faults in others even if they do n't have .

This poisons your soul and steals the mental peace .

Be positive and constructive in your deeds and then do n't really care too much about others .

Be aware , do n't apply this to too closed relations .

Develop trust to build up powerful relationships .

Remember this : Bad luck happens to everyone .

Time , whether good or bad , passes quickly .

Develop the power of not looking back into your past .

Work hard and you will get what you have been entitled for .

Be patient and see what has been planned for you .

With these recommendations , I believe if you can make it , it 's probable that you can bring changes in your lifestyle and get back your mental peace .


Since we are social beings , the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships .

One strength of the human condition is our tendency to give and receive support from one another under stressful circumstances .

Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties .

Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily difficulties .

People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties .

Studies over a range of illnesses , from depression to heart disease , show that the presence of social support helps people protect themselves from illness , and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely .

Social support cushions stress in a number of ways .

First , friends , relatives and coworkers may let us know that they value us .

Our self respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others despite our faults and difficulties .

Second , other people often provide us with informational support .

They help us to explain and understand our problems and find solutions to them .

Third , we typically find social companionship supportive .

Engaging in leisure time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distract ( ... ) us from our worries and troubles .

Finally , other people may give us important support -- financial aid , material resources , and needed services -- that reduces stress by helping us solve and deal with our problems .


It 's the second time for me to come to Beijing .

There are many places of interest in Beijing , such as the Summer Palace , the Great Wall , etc .

What 's more , I think great changes have taken place in Beijing .

People 's living conditions have improved a lot .

Almost everyone has a big smile on the face .

People in Beijing are in high spirits and hard-working .

But in the past , some children did n't have enough money to go to school .

The bosses did n't give them enough food .

Today people have already lived in tall building , worn beautiful clothes and so on .


First Frenchman : I once heard someone shout , `` Look out , '' I put my head out of a window and a basin of water fell on me .

It seems that `` Look out '' may mean `` do n't look out . ''

Second Frenchman : Once I was on a ship and heard the captain shout , `` All hands on deck , '' I put my hands on the deck and someone walked on them .

Third Frenchman : I once visited an English friend early in the morning and the maid who came to the door and said , `` He 's not up yet .

Come back in half an hour , '' When I went again for him , she said , `` He 's not down yet . ''

`` If he 's not up and he 's not down , where is he ? ''

When I say 'He 's not up ' I mean 'he has not yet got up ' .

When I say'He 's not down 'I mean 'he has not yet come downstairs . ''


Although men and women have been growing crops for thousands of years , they have not always had enough to eat .

Even today , many people in the world go hungry , and even die of hunger .

If we are to grow enough for everybody , we have to grow more crops and better crops .

Plants need the right food in order to grow .

In particular , they need three chemical substances in the soil : nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium .

They also need smaller amounts of other chemical substances like calcium .

If there is too little of any of these substances in the soil , plants ca n't grow well .

When a plant grows , it takes up these basic substances from the soil and builds them into itself .

If we remove the plant from the soil and use it for food , we are taking some of these substances away , and this means that future plants will find less of them in the soil .

In time , the soil would become too poor for plants to grow in it at all .

To prevent this we must put basic substances back .

One way of doing this is putting manure on the soil .

This contains the remains of plants that have been eaten , and , if we add it to the soil , we are returning some of the basic substances .

In Europe and in prefix = st1 /Japan , manure from animals has for long been used in this way .

Unfortunately much of the animal waste inIndiais used as fuel because there is not enough wood to burn .

This means there is less manure for the crops .

Even when we use manure , we can not put back into the soil more of the basic substances than have been taken out .

Often the soil does not have enough of them in the first place , and so we must provide extra supplies .

Experiments in Indiahave shown that , if we use a fertilizer containing a mixture of nitrogen and phosphorus , we get half as much rice again from the crops on any one piece of land .


On February 9 th,2013 , Sarah Darling was walking along the street when she met a homeless man named Billy Ray Harris .

She reached into her change purse , emptied out all the coins she had and gave them to the homeless man .

Neither of them realized that this small generous act would change their lives .

Sarah did n't realize that she had given Billy not only all her change but also her diamond ring that she had put in her change purse earlier until the following morning .

She and her husband , Bill Krejci , rushed to see if they could find Billy .

The homeless man was not only in the same place , he also immediately returned the ring .

The grateful couple paid him back for his honesty by emptying out their pockets of all the money they had .

Bill Krejci , a web designer , felt that he needed to do something more for this amazingly

So on February 18th , he set up a special page to raise money for him .

In just four days , Billy received over $ 85,000 and there seems to be no end yet .

Billy is 1iving with a person who is generous instead of living in the streets .

And that 's not all -- thanks to the news report , he got together again with his older brother , Edwin Harris who he had been unable to find for 27 years .

All the good luck is just because Billy did the right thing -- returning something that did not belong to him .


The small coastal town of Broome , in northwest Australia , is a remote village in the vast countryside .

There are no traffic jams and hardly any roads .

There is only the massive Australian wild land , where some houses are 500 miles apart and some driveways are 50 miles long .

There seem to be only two main sources of entertainment out here : the sunset at the beach and Sun Pictures .

Sun Pictures is a very different movie theater : The seats are park benches and deck chairs , but you 're also welcome to sit on the grass .

It is the world 's oldest outdoor movie garden .

Sun Pictures was built in 1916 on the other side of the globe from Hollywood .

All the big films were shipped here and the lonely country was amazed .

Broome resident Pearl Hamaguchi has never traveled far from home .

But in the Sun Pictures chairs , under the deep blue night sky , she has been almost everywhere .

`` And we came back excited about Gregory Peck , '' she recalled .

This is one of the few places left in the world where you can see two sets of stars at the same time -- -- -one set in the sky , the other in the film .

Each night , dozens of people from around the world line up at the old wooden stand , with no computer in sight , and buy their tickets to the latest films .

Sun Pictures is also a museum , exhibiting projectors that date back to the silent films , a portrait gallery of the famous people who never knew about this place -- -- even though they came here all the time .

Every once in a while , I 'm told , you might find a non-ticket holder in your seat .

That 's why it 's always a good idea to shake out your chair to make sure there are no spiders or scorpions .

`` We 've only had a couple of scorpion incidents but no one 's been stung yet , '' said Aaron Mestemaker , a tourist visiting from Michigan .

Sun Pictures is a holy hall of movie history and a reminder that air conditioning and carpet are no match for grass and fresh air -- -even when the lizards steal the scene .


If you 're like most teens , you probably spend a lot of time online .

The Internet is a great place to do homework , talk to your friends and download your favorite music .

But with all of that good stuff , there is also bad stuff .

So we 've put together some safety tips for you .

Some people pretend to be your age or a friendly adult so that you will trust them .

You can never be certain that people you meet on the Internet are really who they say they are .

It 's dangerous to get together with someone you met online .

As we said before , they may not be who they say they are .

However , if your parents agree to the meeting , they should go with you , and the meeting should be in a public place .

When you are online , never give anyone personal information like your name , address , phone number , the name or location of your school or your parents ' names or where they work .

Do n't put personal information or your picture in your online profile or anywhere else online .

Use a screen name that is different from your real name and your e-mail address .

Some people in chat rooms often create a fake profile , hoping a teen will trust them .

Someone who seems to be a 14-year-old girl from New York who wants to be friends may be a 42-year-old man from California who wants something else .


They often go to play games after school .

They ca n't look after their things very well .

So their mothers do n't give them watches .

But they can ask a man under the big tree .

They can also see the clock on the wall of the classroom .

They must put on their clothes and go home .


The words used by young people in the UK can be very different to those used by adults .

These extremely informal words and expressions are known as `` slang '' .

*Instead of using different tag question like is n't it ?

*Instead of saying very , really or completely , they use `` well '' .

* `` Whatever '' means `` I do n't care '' .

A : But the teacher says we ca n't leave until we 've finished .

Nobody uses slang and not everybody likes it .

A school in Sheffield , in the north of England , recently instructed its pupils to stop using slang words .

The head teacher says that if young people learn to speak 'correctly ' this will help them get a good job .

When British people use slang , it 's no surprise that some students say they ca n't understand native speakers .

But perhaps learners do n't need to worry about communicating with native speakers so much .

Research shows that most of the English spoken in the world today is spoken between non-native speakers of the language .

In fact , when we think about `` International English '' , there is no such thing as a native or non-native speaker .

How important is it to understand these slang words and expressions ?

If you watch films or TV , chat online in English , then understanding slang can be very useful .

But you probably wo n't see much slang in your English exam though .

With over seven billion people living on our planet today , it 's easy to think one person 's actions wo n't make a difference , however , from personal experience , I can say : each of us is capable of making a difference , however small , to someone 's life .


If you 're among the millions of Americans packing their vacation bags for summer trips , do n't forget , however , that as soon as you step off the plane , you 're expected to follow that country 's laws .

We took a look at one of the top countries Americans are most likely to visit and what might happen if you got caught .

Smoking marijuana : If police find you smoking a cigarette which contains marijuana , they will most likely detain you overnight and you will get a fine .

Carrying a firearm : You might be able to walk around with a gun in Texas , but that is n't so in Mexico , so leave your gun behind .

If you wish to go hunting in Mexico.you can apply for a gun permit but expect to be charged $ 5,000.If you are caught bringing a firearm , Mexican policeman may take away your car and arrest you .

An arrested American may spend months in prison while his or her case is being looked into .

Driving 70 mph on the highway : Speed limits are on the lower side .

Depending on what type of highway you 're driving on , you should n't go faster than 62 mph .

The police enforce the speed limit , but most local police do n't have radars .

The maximum fine for speeding is about $ 40 .

To scare tourists into paying the fine `` on the spot '' , sometimes police will threaten to keep your driver 's license .


Some people like flowers because of their smells , shapes , colors and so on .

Others like flowers because they think different flowers mean different things .

For example , red roses mean `` love '' and sunflowers mean `` loyalty '' .

So people in more than 100 countries have chosen their own national flowers which say something about their countries ' spirit .

In 1994 , China talked about choosing a national flower .

Some people liked the peony but others liked the plum blossom .

People like to buy different flowers in different seasons .

Where do all the beautiful flowers in shops come from ?

They may come from far away , so their price is higher .

Planes or trains or buses take the flowers to different places .

c. Flower shopkeepers buy flowers from the flower markets .

They look after the flowers and throw away the broken or bad ones .

They cut the flowers to make them more beautiful .

d. You go to buy the flowers in the shops .

When you buy a flower , you 're paying lots of people : the farmer , the driver of the plane or train or bus , the seller in the flower market and the flower shopkeeper .

So you 'd better keep your flowers from far away for a long time .

Dry , clean sand is one of the oldest things for drying flowers .

*Leave the flowers there for one to three weeks .


'All right then-just one more piece ... ' Words every girl has said when they are faced with the delicious cheesecake .

Of course , many of us know we may eat the whole thing in the end .

Most of us find it hard to say 'no ' to something attractive , However , scientists now say that willpower is very important to success and a happy life .

Scientists in different countries have been studying the effects of willpower on people 's lives for a long time .

The results are similar , according to an article on February 7 in the Guardian , a famous British newspaper .

In one experiment , scientists told young children that they could either have a marshmallow now , or two marshmallows in 15 minutes .

Waiting obviously needed more willpower .

Scientists then continued studying the children as they grew up .

They wanted to see if some children always had stronger willpower .

They also wanted to see how having stronger willpower affected their lives .

Years later , scientists found that the children who had waited for two marshmallows were all healthier , happier and richer adults .

Oppositely , the children who had shown weaker willpower at that young age were more likely to be in low-paid jobs , to be overweight , to have social problems .

But there is hope , Roy F Baumeister , an American social psychology professor told the Guardian .

Baumeister says we can train our willpower just like we train our muscles .

Even a little practice can strengthen our overall self-control if we do it regularly .

You could start by making yourself stand up straight , speaking in complete sentences , or using a computer mouse with the other hand .

Scientists have found that people who manage to change little habits often perform much better in laboratory willpower tests .

Like muscles , willpower can 'get tired ' .

Do n't try to do too many things at the same time , or when you do n't have enough energy , for example when you are ill .

If you already feel tired , you can try to recharge your willpower with a good night 's sleep and by eating well .


Sometimes , even the best friends have fights .

They disagree with each other and begin to argue .

Sometimes , they even stop talking to each other .

What can be done to help the two friends make up ?

Finding a good friend who knows both of them very well to be a peacemaker is a good way .

Maybe one day you will be a peacemaker for your good friends .

Here are some useful communication strategies for you to use .

State your feelings clearly but do n't criticize them .

Begin with `` I feel '' instead of `` You always ... '' .

Do n't stop or finish the other person 's sentences .

Listen carefully to what the other person is saying .

Try to see the other person 's side of the disagreement .

Look the other person in the eyes when you are talking .

Ask questions to make sure that you understand them .

Repeat the other person 's ideas as you understand them .

Saying things like `` You 're stupid '' makes communication difficult .

Try to find a solution that makes the two friends happy .

Never decide who is right and who is wrong .

Instead , help them to find their own `` win-win '' solution .

A `` win-win '' solution allows each of them to feel good .

In this way , their friendship can be continued .


I recall a moment that I experienced with my dad when I was twenty-one .

I was going to college and living with a couple of friends in Chicago .

When the car I was using died , my dad , realizing that I needed transportation to get to work and to school , was good enough to lend me the money for a used car .

Shortly after I bought it , my parents drove down to San Diego for the winter .

Before they left , my dad gave me some of his bank deposit slips with clear and detailed instructions to put one hundred dollars of my earnings , every payday , into their savings account while they were gone .

At that time of my life , I was not yet clear about what were the most important problems that I had to attend to first .

I dismissed our agreement as nothing important and continued to spend my money as fast as I was making it , in pubs , on dates , and so on .

Instead of honoring our agreement , I made payments that were less than the agreed-upon amounts , and on more than one occasion I made no payment at all .

When my parents arrived home in late March , I got a call from my dad , who said , `` Do n't go anywhere .

My dad was ( and still is ) a physical presence and had been a truck driver for thirty-five years .

I felt ashamed and guilty , knowing that Dad had discovered that I had n't held up my end of our bargain .

After he came in , he told me to sit down because he had a few things to tell me .

There was no shouting , no red face with a vein about to burst on his forehead , and no bad language at all .

His first words were , `` When your mother and I got back into town yesterday , I called the bank .

I ca n't say I was surprised to discover that you had n't made all the payments .

My first thought was to come here and take the car from you , but I want to tell you some things while I 'm here .

Maybe you 'll understand , and maybe you wo n't . ''

He went on to tell me , very calmly , about what it means to keep your word .

He explained that when he was growing up after the Depression , a man 's handshake and his word meant everything .

He also told me that because I was twenty-one , he did n't feel angry so much as sad and disappointed .

He closed by saying that our words and actions have a real effect on others , and that my words and actions were what others would measure me by .

He added that if I had n't yet formed some core or basic values and principles , this might be a good time to start thinking about those things .

For the first time , I saw real disappointment on Dad 's face .

He gave me a second chance to make our deal right , and even gave me more deposit slips , saying , `` I will take those keys if you miss a single payment or , at the very least , if you do n't let me know in advance that you 'll have trouble making a payment .

He spoke for about forty-five minutes , and I listened .

He did n't expect me to say much , and I knew enough to keep quiet .

I just nodded or shook my head at the right time and continued to listen .

That time we spent together changed me forever .

Then and there , I made a promise to myself that I 'd never again be the cause of that look of sadness and disappointment on Dad 's face .

After that defining afternoon , our relationship got better and better .

I 'm now married with two sons of my own , and they 're already learning about the importance of honor , trust , and honesty .


I was now in my twenty third year of residence in this island and was accustomed to the place and to the manner of living .

If it had not been the savages who had come to the place to disturb me , I could have been content to spent the rest of my time there , even to the last moment , till I had laid me down and died , like the old goat in the cave .

I had also arrived to some little recreations and amusements , which made the time pass more pleasantly with me a great deal than it did before .

At first , I had taught my Poll to speak .

And he did it so familiarly and talked so clearly and plain that it was very pleasant to me .

And he lived with me no less than twenty six years .

How long he might live afterwards , I do n't know ; though I know they have an idea in Brazil that they live a hundred years .

Perhaps poor Poll may be alive there still , calling Poor Robin Crusoe to this day .

I wish no other English man had the bad luck to go there and hear him .

But if he did , he would certainly believe it was the devil .

My dog was a very pleasant and loving companion to me , for no less than sixteen years of my time , and then died of mere old age .

As for my cats , they multiplied to that degree that I had to shoot several of them at first to keep them from eating up all I had .

Besides these , I had two more parrots which talked pretty well and would all call Robin Crusoe , but none like my first .

Nor indeed did I take the pains with any of them that I had done with him .

I had also several sea-fowls , whose names I do n't know , that I caught upon the shore and cut their wings .

And the little stakes which I had planted before my castle wall being now grown up to a good thick bush , these fowls all lived among these low trees and bred there , which was very agreeable to me ; so that as I said above , I began to be well content with the life I led if not worried about the threat from the savages .


More than half of rich Americans have not shown their full wealth to their children , a new survey showed last Tuesday .

The survey , published by the Bank of America , studied the rich with $ 3 million or more in possessions .

It found that `` surprisingly few of those surveyed have well-developed plans to preserve and pass on their possessions to their children '' .

The majority of the 457 people surveyed are self-made , first-generation rich .

Fifty-two percent of parents have not chosen not to tell their children just how wealthy they are , and 15 percent have given away nothing about the family wealth .

One in three parents said they had never thought to do it .

They are worried that their children would become lazy , spend money freely , make bad decisions and even become a target for attractive women who use their looks to get money from rich men .

Only 34 percent strongly agreed that their children would be able to handle any inheritance they plan to leave them .

`` There is an expectation about the wealthy parents that they have a responsibility to pass down their fortune to the next generation , '' said Sallie Krawcheck , president of the Global Wealth and Investment Management of the Bank of America .

`` Our research , however , uncovered changing views of what one generation owes the next . ''

The trend is led by the world 's richest man Bill Gates , who promised in 2008 that he would leave his $ 58 billion fortune to the charity started by him and his wife , the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , and not to his children .

`` We want to give it back to society in the way that it will have the most positive effect , '' he said .

Of his plans for his children , Gates said : `` I will give the kids some money but not a meaningful percentage ... they will need to work but they will feel reasonably taken care of . ''


Children in England must n't work until they are 13 .

They need to have a work permit to start working .

Many teenagers will get up early to deliver newspapers to houses in their local area before going to school .

They are known as Paper-boys or Papergirls .

Babysitting : Looking after young children in their home while their parents have gone out for the evening is a popular job for teenagers , as they get money for watching children and television all at the same time !

Helping the Milkman : From the age of 14 some teenagers help the milkman deliver milk to houses .

Other popular jobs : Working in a shop ; Office work ; Washing cars ; In a cafe or restaurant .

The hours teenagers ( 13 and 14 year olds ) can work :

Not more than 2 hours in one day during the following periods :

Morning 7 a. m. -- start of school or Evening

Up to 2 hours between 7 a.m. and 11 a. m .

Up to 12 hours a week ( Including weekends )


He can run very fast and he is always ready to show how fast he can run .

One day a thief breaks into his house , takes some things of his and runs off as fast as he can .

Mr. Smith runs after him and shouts : `` Stop !

Do n't you know you ca n't run away from me ? ''

He is soon a few miles away from his house .

He does n't see anything or anybody and is still rushing alone when he runs into me .

`` Far , far behind me , '' says Mr. Smith with a smile on his face .

`` He thinks he can run faster than me , but you see he is wrong . ''


I hope that you and your children will be here in two weeks .

My husband and I will go to meet you at the train station .

Our town is small but it is nice and beautiful .

Your son Tom can go to the sports center every day .

He can play games and go swimming there .

My son has a cat and two sheep and I have two horses .

I 'm sure you 'll have a good time here .


Nicola Davies provides a look at nature 's largest living creature in Big Blue Whale .

The text often uses examples from the child 's world to help youngsters understand this great creature .

For example , the blue whale 's skin is `` smooth like a hard-boiled egg '' and its eye is `` big as a teacup '' .

Nick Maland 's pen-and-ink illustrations capture the majesty of the blue whale , of which only 10,000 remain .

This educational book has outstanding photographs and illustrations .

The bright colors are attention grabbing .

The importance of the coral reefs in the ecology of the earth is explained as well as how the coral reefs are being harmed and destroyed .

The author then offers solutions and suggestions to help prevent the destruction of these beautiful natural resources .

This is a beautifully illustrated book by the award winner Jan Sovak featuring fifteen North American animals that are in danger of becoming extinct .

Each animal is introduced with a short poem , followed by factual information and why the species is considered to be endangered .

This reference book takes a close look at the fascinating world of majestic sea mammals including whales , dolphins , seals , and sea lions .

The author describes how whales adapt to sea life and explores whale communication , socialization , behaviors and reproduction , life cycles , habitats and physical characteristics .


My brother , Michael , was born one month before his due date and he also had cerebral palsy .

He never lost his baby teeth , never grew taller than about 30 inches and never weighed more than 28 pounds .

They did estimate , however , that he would not live to see his 12th birthday .

As a boy I learned to feed and clothe Mike .

As a teenager , I babysat for my `` big brother '' and learned use the proper medicine to prevent the seizures that caused him to tremble .

Many people said he would never walk or talk .

He never did learn to walk , but he did learn to talk -- not even in complete sentences , but he had the basics down .

If he was hungry , thirsty , happy or sad , we knew .

But that changed with a beard I grew during the summer before college .

`` Ugly , '' he would respond with delight .

All of which -- to me -- was normal , for he was the only brother I knew .

The only time I thought of the differences between us was when others pointed them out .

My circle of friends widened when I entered high school .

One day Mom asked if my new friends would have a problem seeing Mike for the first time .

`` If they do n't accept Mike , they do n't accept me and they are n't welcome , '' I said .

And if I did n't think of him as different , I never thought about him dying either .

On a warm fall night in 1998 , Mike had a seizure .

With this first seizure , Mike 's life was beginning to fade .

Michael Patrick Harter -- just 26 years old -- died in Mom 's arms .

We never had those great talks other brothers have about women , work and parents .

We never played catch or talked about our dreams .

But Mike taught me compassion and strength .

He taught me respect for those less fortunate than myself .

And he taught me an appreciation of the beauty in the simplest things .

Physically and mentally , I was my brother 's keeper .

Spiritually , Mike was and is my keeper -- a nearly silent guardian angel .


Some British and American people like to invite friends for a meal at home .

You should not be upset if your English friends do n't invite you home .

Dinner parties usually start between 7 and 8 p.m. and end at about 11 .

Ask your hosts what time you should arrive .

It 's polite to bring flowers , chocolates or a bottle of wine as a gift .

Usually the evening starts with drinks and snacks .

If you want to be extra polite , say how much you like the room , or the pictures on the wall .

But remember-it 's not polite to ask how much things cost .

In many families , the husband sits at one of the table and the wife sits at the other end .

You 'll probably start the meal with soup or something small , then you 'll have meat or fish with vegetables , and then dessert , followed by coffee .

It 's polite to finish everything on your plate and to take more if you want it .

Call your hosts the next day , or write them a short `` thank you '' letter .

British and American people like to say `` thank you , thank , thank you '' all the time !


Chinese writer Mo Yan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012 .

Mo , who was born in 1955 from a farmer 's family in Gaomi county in Shandong Province , is the first person in China to win the Nobel Prize in Literature .

In his early years , life was not easy and he experienced hunger .

These things have influence Mo Yan 's later writings .

Park Geun-hue is 64 years old this year .

She was selected the new President of South Korea in December , 2012 .

She is the country 's first female head of state and her term will last five years from 2013 .

`` I will become a president who puts people 's living before anything else , '' she told the cheering people in central Seoul as she accepted her win .

Barack Obama ( born in Honolulu , Hawaii in 1961 ) , who was elected the 44th President of the United States in 2008 , has been elected again to a second term .

Obama is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School .

And his mother was born in Wichita , Kansas .


Japan Earthquake and Tsunami : How to Help

For readers interested in contributing to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan and the Pacific region , here is a list of contact information and links for some agencies that plan to provide relief .

THE JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE

The Japan Center for International Exchange has set up the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund .

Half of the money raised will go to support six Japanese NGOs currently at work in the disaster area and half will be retained to support the longer term recovery .

Red Cross officials say donors can text REDCROSS to 90999 and a $ 10 donation will automatically be charged to donors ' phone bill , or donations can be made directly on its Web site .

To help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami , donate online on the group 's secure Web site .

Or , by mail to : B'nai B'rith International Disaster Relief Fund , Attn : Japan Earthquake,2020 K Street , NW,7th Floor , Washington , D.C.,20006 .

CARE is one of the world 's largest private international humanitarian organizations .

Their offices in Asia are on high alert and have ensured that staff are informed of the tsunami warnings and other related developments .

( Updated information on CARE 's work in Japan is available here . )

GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps , Save the Children , and other organizations on the ground to disburse funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami .

Donors can text JAPAN to 50555 to give $ 10 , and larger donations can be submitted on GlobalGiving 's Web site .

The Salvation Army has been providing food and shelter to Tokyo commuters who were stranded when public transportation was interrupted by the earthquake .

They are to send a team to Sendai , a city about 250 miles away from Tokyo , to assess the situation there .

Text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $ 10 donation .

( Make sure to respond `` YES '' to the thankyou message you receive . )

Donations can also be made on the organization 's Web site or by calling 1800SALARMY .


Healthy relationships are fun and make you feel good about yourself .

The relationships that you make in your teenage years will be a special pan of your life .

They will teach you some of the most important lessons about who you are .

This may help you understand different kinds of relationships , what makes each relationship special , and how to communicate in a positive way .

Communication and Sharing : The most important part of any healthy relationship between two people is being able to talk and listen to each other .

You and the other person can find out what your common interests are .

You can share your feelings with the other person and trust that he or she will be there to listen to you and support you .

In healthy relationships , people do n't lie .

Communication is based on honesty and trust .

By listening carefully and sharing your thoughts and feelings with other people , you show them that they play an important part in your life .

Respect and Trust : In healthy relationships , you learn to respect and trust important people in your life .

Disagreements may still happen , but you learn to stay calm and talk about how you feel .

Talking calmly helps you to understand the real reason for not getting along .

It makes it much easier to figure out how to fix it .

In healthy relationships , working through disagreements often makes the relationship stronger .

In healthy relationships , people respect each other for who they are .

This includes respecting and listening to yourself and your feelings so you can set boundaries and feel comfortable .

You will find that you learn to understand experiences and feelings of others as well as having them understand your experiences and feelings .

How do I know that I have a healthy relationship with someone ?

You know that you are in a healthy relationship with someone because you feel good about yourself when you are around that person .

Unhealthy relationships can make you feel sad , angry , scared , or worried .

Healthy peer relationships involve an equal amount of giving and taking in the relationship .

In unhealthy relationships , there is an unfair balance .

You may often feel that you are giving the other person more attention than that he or she gives to you .

You should feel safe around the other person and feel that you can trust him or her with your secrets .

In a healthy relationship , you like to spend time with the other person , instead of feeling that you have to spend time with him or her .


Black has long been praised for its ability to better women 's figures and suit every occasion .

But the color has a side-effect -- it ages the face .

While black does give the appearance of a slimmer figure by making the shadows less visible , wearing it next to the face brings out a negative effect .

Black clothing can highlight dark lines under the chin , shadows around the eyes and wrinkles on the face .

The effect can be as serious as making women feel exhausted , self-conscious and upset .

Wrinkles and sunken areas appear deeper and more pronounced , meaning the effect is more obvious in older women .

Dark scarves , hats and high-collared coats are apparently particularly likely to emphasize aging features of the face .

The effect can be tempered by a splash of color around the neck -- in the form of a scarf or a piece of jewelry -- or a low neckline .

Famous actress Joan Collins is among the few who can get away with the side-effect .

But those who should consider changing their dresses include many European stars .

The majority of women who have what is known as a `` warm '' skin tone , based on yellow and gold colors , will not look young and healthy with black against their faces .

Warm skins do not match well with black against their faces as it takes away all the golden glow that they have as a basic skin tone .

Black looks for dark things on the face and highlights them , particularly as women age .

The good news for those who like black dress is that a simple test can help determine whether they can wear black well : Hold the color up against your face , stand in front of the mirror and look for dark lines under the chin , shadows around the eyes or lines on the face that are highlighted .

If there are no dark areas or shadows , you can probably wear black close to your face and look great .


Harvard researchers have created a tough , low-cost , biodegradable material inspired by insects ' hard outer shells .

The material 's inventors say it has a number of possible uses and someday could provide a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic .

The material , made from shrimp ( ' ) shells and proteins produced from silk , is called `` shrilk . ''

It is thin , clear , flexible and strong .

A major benefit of the material is its biodegradability .

Plastic 's toughness and flexibility represented a revolution in materials science during the 1950s and '60s .

Decades later , however , plastic 's very durability is raising questions about how appropriate it is for one-time products such as plastic bags , or short-lived consumer goods , used in the home for a few years and then cast into a landfill where they will degrade for centuries .

What is the point of making something that lasts 1,000 years ?

Shrilk not only will degrade in a landfill , but its basic components are used as fertilizer , and so will enrich the soil .

Shrilk has great potential , the inventors said .

Materials from which it is made are plentiful in nature , found in everything ranging from shrimp shells , insect bodies to living plants .

That makes shrilk low cost , and its mass production possible should it be used for products demanding a lot of material .

Work on shrilk is continuing in the lab .

The inventors said the material becomes flexible when wet , so they 're exploring ways to use it in wet environments .

They 're also developing simpler production processes , which could be used for non-medical products , like for computer cases and other products inside the home .

They 're even exploring combining it with other materials , like carbon fibers , to give it new properties .


Both are so much related to each other .

What are the differences between friendship and love ?

Is platonic friendship possible between persons of opposite sex ?

When do we call someone a very good friend ?

If we care for a person , if we are always ready to help that person and if we share most of our thoughts with a person , they are our good friends .

We can always count upon our good friends in an emergency .

We are always sure that our friend will understand why we acted in a certain way .

We need not explain anything to our very good friends .

The friendship is so deep and the relationship is so close , that most of the things are automatically understood by our friends .

In a relationship of deep love , all the sharing that we discussed above are taken for granted .

During love , we are attached with a particular person , while in friendship , one may have many friends .

A loving relationship makes one so much attached to the other , that one gets pained if his/her beloved is hurt !

Nature gives us love so that the species can go forward .

Your heart beats will never increase in expectation of meeting your friend .

You will not lie awake at night thinking about your friend .

You will not feel totally lost , if you do n't meet your friend for a few days .

You will not have dreams in your eyes thinking about your friend .

But in love , you will do all these and much more .

Indeed , there is no comparison between love and friendship .


The slogan `` a dog is for life , not just for Christmas '' has been going strong for 27 years now .

Dogs and cats have been popular Christmas gifts in the gifts in the UK and Europe for many years .

But some people still have n't quite got the message .

Some 105,000 dogs were rounded up by local government last year because they had been abandoned , many of them shortly after the festival season .

The main reason given by owners for handing their dogs over to the Dogs Trust is that the dogs need more attention than they can give ; behavioral problems and moving home are also reasons given .

But Eleanor Silk , the Trust 's communications director , says , `` It 's often four or five months after Christmas , in early summer , when owners find that the dog has got too big and too active , or it has n't been trained properly and has caused damage around the home . ''

In any case , some organizations that help pets are quick to point out that if you are serious about getting a puppy as a pet , Christmas is not the time to do it .

Puppies need to get used to their new surroundings , to be introduced to a routine , and to be looked after like small children .

It 's hard to meet any of these needs at Christmas .

What 's more , pulling a puppy out of a Christmas stocking in itself sends the wrong message to children .

It encourages children to think of the puppy as a toy , rather than a responsibility .

Appreciating what you 're taking on with a dog can be a sobering realization .

`` For life '' means thinking about the effect they 'll have on your life .

It also infers you will need to care for the dog for its whole life .


Sometimes I think I 'm the only girl who notices these quiet but beautiful things .

But if it had n't been for a crowded restaurant , I would n't have ever noticed Valeri .

She walked to class with her books against her chest and her head down .

She talked only when the teacher asked her a question .

After a month at our school , she had n't made any friend .

One day at lunch , most tables being full , I had nowhere to sit .

I walked over to her , `` Is that a good book ? ''

Valeri gave a small nod and went back to reading .

After seconds of silence , she looked at me , her eyes shining , `` Well , it 's about a dragon !

This boy , Eragon , finds this dragon egg when he goes playing one day .

The egg hatches and Eragon hides the dragon from his cousin and uncle until it gets too big . ''

Two weeks later , I was sitting in the auditorium enjoying the talent show .

Valeri held a violin in one hand and a bow in the other .

The auditorium fell completely silent until we realized the music was finished .

Valeri was n't just `` a quiet girl '' .

She knew about wonderful books and could play the violin like nothing I 'd ever heard .

Like a butterfly , she was beautiful and amazing when you looked closely .


The Japanese have always loved fresh fish .

But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades .

So fishing boats went farther than ever.but If the return trip took more than a few days , the fish were not fresh .

Then fishing companies equipped their boats with freezers .

Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer .

However , the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish .

So fishing boats were equipped with fish tanks .

They would stuff fish in the tanks , fin to fin .

After a little thrashing around , the fish stopped moving .

Unfortunately , the Japanese could still taste the difference .

The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish , not sluggish fish .

To keep the fish tasting fresh , the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks .

But now they add a small shark to each tank .

The shark eats a few fish , but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state .

Have you realized that some of us are also living in a tank but most of the time tired & dull , so we need a Shark in our life to keep us awake and moving .

If your challenges are the correct size , and if you are regularly defeating those challenges , you are Conqueror .

You think of your challenges and get energized .

Instead of avoiding challenges , jump into them and enjoy the game .

If your challenges are too large or too numerous , do not give up .

Find more determination , more knowledge , more help .

God did n't promise days without pain , laughter without sorrow , sun without rain , but he did promise strength for the day , comfort for the tears and light for the way .

Disappointments are like road blocks , they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards .