Angela and Nick just finished a history test They stop outside the classroom to talk.
Angela: That was such a difficult test! It's a good thing I studied so hard for it, or I probably would have failed.
Nick: Me, too. You go on ahead. I need to talk to Mr. Brown about something.
Angela: Oh, what about?
Nick: I saw a guy peeing at a piece of paper under his desk during the test.
Angela: Really?
Nick: Yeah. I think it was a cheat sheet.
Angela: And you're going to tell the teacher? Why? He probably had a really busy week and didn't have time to study.
Nick: You and I were busy this week, too, but we still made time to study. If someone else didn't, that doesn't justify cheating.
Angela: It seems to me that this is really none of our business. After all, his cheating doesn't affect our grades on the test.
Nick: Maybe not directly, but it will affect the class ranks. It's not fair to hard-working students if someone else gets a high rank by cheating.
Angela: True. But I really feel that we shouldn't take matters into our won hands. What if he wasn't cheating?
Nick: Well, I'm just going to report what I saw to someone in authority. The teacher can take care of it.
Angela: But this is Mr. Brown. Everyone knows what a strict teacher he is. He might call the student's parents or even have him suspended!
Nick: Mr. Brown can't suspend the student yet. He'd need more evidence than just my word. He'll probably just give him a warning and keep an eye on him.
Angela: And what if our classmates find out you told on him? Everyone in the class will call you a tattletale.
Nick: I don't care. I'm doing the right thing. But I'll ask Mr. Brown not to mention my name.
Angela: I still don't see why this is such a big deal to you. It's pretty naive to think only one person cheated on the test. The fact is that lots of students cheat.
Nick: But that doesn't make it right. And I didn't see them all. I just saw one, and I feel I should take some action. Furthermore, I don't think school is just about getting good grades. It's about learning things that we'll use later in life. And, more importantly, doing it in an honest way.
Angela: Maybe. But if I were you, I still wouldn't tell. I really need to get going. See you tomorrow.
Nick: Bye, Angela.
Work
How do you take your coffee?
Coffee Culture
Could you order coffee in English or would you become tongue-tied? If you would, you might need a lesson in coffee language.
Size
If you order a small, medium or large coffee, they'll know what you mean. But you 'll be considered an amateur. Instead, ask for a "tall," "grande" or "venti."
Coffee names
Espresso: a strong coffee made by forcing hot water through ground coffee beans
Espresso Creme: espresso served with an ounce of cream.
Shot: a measure of espresso. You can add an "extra shot" to any coffee drink.
Cappuccino: espresso made with foamy milk on top.
Cappuccino Mochaccino: cappuccino with chocolate
Latte: espresso made with steamed milk
Latte Granita: espresso made with frozen milk and sugar.
Lattle Mocha: latte with chocolate
White coffee: coffee beans that aren't roasted as long as regular beans, resulting in a lighter coffee
Decaffeinated: no caffeine in your coffee
Skinny: espresso made with skim milk and sugar-free syrup
Planning for the future plan for all the possibilities.
This month Uncle Bob has some big news for Ben.
Ben: Hey, Uncle Bob. How are you today?
Uncle Bob: I'm doing well, Ben. Actually, I have some big news to share with you.
Ben: What is it?
Uncle Bob: Well, your Aunt June and I are moving to Hawaii.
Ben: Hawaii? Why Hawaii?
Uncle Bob: We've always loved Hawaii, and now that we're retired there's nothing to stop us from spending more time there. We've been contemplating a change of scenery for some time.
Ben: Wow. That is big news. Are you planning to keep your place here?
Uncle Bob: Sure. We've purchased a condo in Hawaii, but we're only planning to live there during the winter.
Ben: That's great, Uncle Bob. I can see Hawaii is beckoning, but I don't know what I'll do if you aren't around.
Uncle Bob: Thanks, Ben, but I doubt you'll need me that badly.
Ben: Seriously, Uncle Bob, I'm pretty sure my business will go under without your advice.
Uncle Bob: That's a bit premature. You're built that business with a lot of time and hard work.
Ben: I have put a lot of work into it, but there are still so many things I'm unsure of.
Uncle Bob: Like what?
Ben: Well, I still have lots of questions, and I'm really not sure which direction the company is headed.
Uncle Bob: What? I've read your business plan, and it was very clear.
Ben: Right. It was clear, but you'd be stunned by how much my industry has changed in the last year.
Uncle Bob: That's just the way business is, Ben.
Ben: I know, but what can I do about it?
Uncle Bob: Well, Ben, you need to take some initiative. You need to refocus on your business plan.
Ben: Refocus?
Uncle Bob: Sure. When we first talked about business plans, I told you that they need to evolve over time.
Ben: I know you have. But sometimes being aware of changes isn't enough. Sometimes you need to get ahead of the changes in order to stay relevant.
Uncle Bob: How do I do that?
Ben: I think the main thing is to look at prospective changes in your industry and to consider how you might deal with them.
Uncle Bob: You mean I should plan for things that might happen and not just react to things that have happened.
Ben: I'll always need you, Uncle Bob.
Uncle Bob: Then you'll have to come and visit Hawaii.
Ben: Now that's good advice.
I chase my dream east, to Taipei.
My present life in Taipei commenced with a bit of a gamble. After Nepal, I knew I wanted to write, and I wanted to live in East Asia. I searched for jobs throughout the region and found a few promising options in Taipei. I had just enough money saved for a month-long trip. If I couldn't find work, I'd have to return home broke. Then I'd live with my parents awhile until I could save up enough money to try again. So I took the plunge and bought a plane ticket to try my luck in the job market in Taipei.
To save money, I split my time between hostels and Couchsurfing. In doing so, I got to know Taipei's Couchsurfing community. They were a hospitable bunch, and I was relieved to meet so many new friends right away. Everyone was helpful when they heard I was looking for a job, offering advice and suggestions. I always felt encouraged. Only one man had some negative things to say. I'll call him George, and we met on one of the Couchsurfing forums. George was a foreigner like me, and he offered to meet me for coffee.
Our conversation began normally but headed south when we began discussing my job search. George's pessimism showed immediately. He informed me that he didn't think there were many jobs available in Taipei. I told him I wanted to be a writer. He told me that the competition would be too vicious for me to succeed; everybody wanted to write. According to George, everything was hopeless. I was doomed. If I were lucky enough to find a job, it wouldn't be the one I wanted.
At first my heart sank. But I decided not to listen to his negative predictions. What kind of person says such discouraging things to someone they just met? Obviously, life in Taipei had not been good to George. We parted ways after that and haven't met since.
In life there are always "Georges" trying to pull us down. Will we believe them and give up? Or will we ignore them and chase our dreams anyway?
I'm pleased to say none of George's predictions came true. I did find the job I was looking for - in Taipei - and I decided to stay.
Travel
Things to do in Madrid. From art to entertainment, the Spanish capital has something for everyone.
Look at a map of Spain and point at the center. You've located the country's capital and one of Europe's most beautiful cities: Madrid. This popular destination is considered a city of contrasts because it abounds with historic sites resting in the shadows of modern skyscrapers.
History
This city of over 3 million people boasts Western Europe's largest royal palace, and some consider it it to be Madrid's most beautiful building.
Inside the Royal Palace 2,800 rooms are decorated in splendor, with museum-quality furniture and artwork. Tourists can tour 50 of these lavish rooms.
In the Royal Palace Gardens, people can gaze on statues and sculptures or relax by the reflecting pond.
Art
The internationally respected Prado Museum is the largest and most impressive art gallery in Spain. Opened in 1819, it is filled with works of art that feature the world's most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings.
Shopping
Madrid has some of Europe's best shopping, and potential buyers love to browse the stores looking for bargains. But for 500 years, shoppers have flocked to an immense outdoor flea market known as the Rastro, where they find everything from antiques to CDs.
A taste of Egypt
Visitors strolling through the Parque del Oeste will come upon a little bit of Egypt in the heart of Spain - the Debod Temple. Originally located in southern Egypt, the structure was donated to Spain in 1968, rebuilt and opened to the public in 1972.
Entertainment
No trip to Madrid is complete without seeing a performance of Spain's famous art form, flamenco. Every day, flamenco performers sing, dance or play the guitar in small cafes and grand theaters alike. Over the years, famous celebrities have traveled to Madrid to see this famous folk art.
Food
Madrid has a wide assortment of restaurants, but because the Spanish typically eat late - around 9 or 10 p.m. - it's difficult to find good dinner food earlier. If you get hungry before then, the best solution is to try a tapas bar where light snacks are served. Be sure to try the jamon, dry-cured ham; Spain is famous for it.
Time for a break
After a day of touring, relax in 350-acre Retiro Park, with its beautiful gardens, fish pond and lake. It is the perfect place to reflect on all you've enjoyed in this marvelous Spanish city.
Bike care and maintenance
Whatever bike you choose to ride, bike company Merida suggests doing a few things before every ride. These include checking and greasing the chain, checking the tire pressure and testing the brakes. For new bikes, Merida recommends an inspection after three to six weeks of riding. The reason? Several parts on the bike will shift and change, so fixing them will help your bike last longer.
Very few castles can compare in beauty to the splendor of Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle.
Germany and other countries hold traditional Christmas markets in December. The smell of spiced wine, roated chestnuts and hot sausages fills the air as visitors walk among stalls selling toys, decorations, shoes and more. For hundreds of years these markets have delighted visitors with the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas.
Whale-watching locations
Here are some of the best places to catch sight of these giant mammals.
Canada
Some of the world's best whale-watching can be done in British Columbia, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, Canada. Orcas, gray whales, blue whales, sperm whales and others can all be spotted from May through October.
Hawaii
Another great location is Hawaii, where more than 6,000 humpback whales migrate to the islands' warm waters to mate and give birth. Whale-watching season runs from November through early May.
Alaska
With a season that begins in April and almost never ends, you'll spot orcas, minke and gray whales.
Other places like Mexico, Iceland, Britain, Norway and the Arctic will also afford you once-in-a-lifetime views of these astonishing creatures of the sea.
Angelia and Mike are classmates at University. They exchange opinions about overseas volunteer service corps.
Mike: It really baffles me. Why do people invest such a stupendous amount of money and time to serve as volunteer in Cambodia? Plenty of people in Taiwan need help, too!
Angelia: Compared with those in Cambodia, people in Taiwan are really living in the lap of luxury. Cambodia was once ruled by Khmer Rouge; years of civil war also widen the gap between the rich and poor. Many remote areas in Cambodia don't have access to water or electricity. They don;t even have a well to get water from, and bathrooms are few and far between.
Mike: But how can you help the people in Cambodia?
Angelia: Cambodia is home to the world's largest religious monument, Angkor Wat. But it takes good English skills to promote tourism. One of the tasks for the International Volunteer Corps is to teach English and nurture qualified English teachers locally. After all, English learning requires the teacher's mentorship over an extended period of time.
Mike: I see. Well, I will sign up for the University's International Volunteer Service Corps. But before then, let me help with charity sales and fundraisers! Marketing is actually one of my strong suits!
Take an exciting tour full of beautiful sights and European history.
When most people think of the Netherlands, images of wooden shoes and windmills come to mind. While this may be a stereotype, it's correct! Spend a few days here and you'll see all that and more. Look for yellow rounds of cheese, blue-and-white ceramics and bright flowers everywhere you go.
How can you explore this colorful country? Start with the capital. Touch down at Schiphol, one of the busiest airports in the world. There, you can hop on the train to Amsterdam Central Station.
Going Dutch
From the station, rent a bicycle to explore the streets the Dutch way. Even if you don't pedal the locals. You'll be amazed at how many items they can carry on two wheels!
If you'd rather be on the water, you can take a cruise. Spend an hour or two gliding through the canals of this city, past historical buildings. Watch for the skinniest house in Amsterdam!
Get out of the city
What about the wooden shes and windmills? If you want to really see the Netherlands, take a bus. About 25 kilometers north of Amsterdam is the town of Marken. Even today, some of the residents can be seen sporting the Dutch costume. Look for ladies in long black skirts, striped aprons, lace caps and, yes, even wooden shoes! In fact, you can learn how the old-fashioned footwear is carved and buy a pair for yourself.
Low land
Marken used to be an island but is now a peninsula. For 2,000 years, the Dutch have been taking back land from the sea. Using a system of dikes and pumps, they have actually made the country bigger. In Marken, stand on top of a dike to see how much lower the land is than the sea.
Time for lunch!
Being surrounded by the sea means that fish is on the menu. Try the most famous local delicacy if you dare: pickled herring. The Dutch way to eat these small fish? Tip your head back, dip the entire fish into your mouth, and eat it directly off the bone.
Don't forget those wheels of cheese! You can see how they are made in Marken and perhaps buy a sample to take home. Treat yourself to some rich Dutch chocolate or a mouthwatering stroopwafel (a caramel wafer cookie) for dessert. Then continue on over bridges and through tiny alleys in this traditional town.
Exploring south Korea.
Culture shock me hard during my first few months in south Korea. My job was new and different; I didn't know anyone, and the language barrier frightened me. My therapy was to sit alone in my apartment and watch TV every night after work. I lived this way from February until May. But as the weather warmed, I began to venture out more and explore.
An Accessible Korea
Over that summer I learned that Korea has a lot to offer. There are miles of beautiful mountains and ocean beaches, centuries of rich history and unique cultural experiences everyone should try. but outside of Seoul, these are sometimes hard for foreigners to access. Only a few possibilities lay in the pamphlets at the train station and my copy of Lonely Planet South Korea. The key to my adventures was networking.
A friend of a friend knew how to book a hiking trip. Somebody was dating a GI who knew where to go deep-sea fishing. I learned that the longer someone lived in Korea, the better they knew how to plug into the fun activities. In a few months, I was plugged in, too.
Summer fun, Korea style
My favorite summer getaway was sunny Busan. It was easy to catch a morning train from Daegu to the seaside city. By noon my friends and I were stretched out on Haeundae Beach, sipping lemonades and getting sunburned along with throngs of other vacationers. In July we headed north to enjoy the Boryeong Mud Festival. Every July this filthy festival on Daecheon Beach celebrates mud. Mud slides, mud wrestling and muddy hugs from strangers. - we enjoyed it all with no care for a shower. At night we lay on the beach and watched an impressive fireworks show.
In August my friends and I drave up into the mountains for a weekend of rafting. A Koreans call a "pension." Another weekend in August, my friends went bungee jumping off a bridge high up over a river. I watched from the shore!
Each summer weekend seemed to hold a chance to see and do something new. But I only lived there for a year, so I barely scratched the surface. I look forward to returning one day and exploring more.
Story
Looking closely
O-Kai's first album is in part a government-funded attempt to preserve aboriginal music, particularly lesser-known songs. But where you might expect traditional performances of folk songs, you get O-Kai's original blend of styles. You'll notice that the entire album is sung a cappella. O-Kai's members prove that they are very capable of complex harmonies and creative voice techniques.
And beyond a cappella, O-Kai has also planted itself in the world of jazz. Of course, it is far from the first group to perform a cappella jazz. In fact, O-Kai marvels at many such groups, especially gospel group Take 6, which uses both jazz and R&B. However, O-Kai may be first to put a lively jazz stamp on the warm, joyful music of Taiwan's native people.
Looking up
There's no doubt that things have been going well for O-Kai. Some of their favorite foreign professional arrangers were happy to arrange songs for their album after the group approached them. O-Kai A Cappella was named one of the top 10 Taiwanese albums of 2012 because it brought something new to the table. Now their hard work and creativity has been rewarded with three Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan's highest honor for music. Rather than dwell on their own achievements, though, O-Kai thank God for his guidance and give honor to Him.
Looking forward
O-Kai continue to push forward with more performances and projects with no signs of their energy running low. As I am talking to them, Sean even uses spare moments to practice his vocal percussion. Before I hear them sing, they create a zoo of musical sounds to warm up, caring little if anyone hears. Though their schedule is packed, they still gather around their music like carefree children. Perhaps their hearts are still back in that village church around the piano.
According to one story, a woman poured soup on a soldier's head, hit him with her cauldron and then ran to warn her neighbors. This stopped the attack, so now people smash and eat chocolate cauldrons in her honor.
That song is very encouraging. The lyrics always inspire me not to give up.
The band's fabulous song earned them a Grammy award.
based on a true story.
The people of Earth must work together to save themselves after an alien war. They choose Ender Wiggen, a smart, quiet boy, and send him to battle school. Everyone hopes he will be the one to save them all.
Frozen, the kingdom of Arendelle lies trapped in winter. Anna's sister Elsa is responsible for the spell. Anna teams up with tough mountain man Kristoff and his reindeer Sven. They must find Elsa and save the kingdom before it's too late.
The Desolation of Smaug, Bilbo and his friends have crossed the Misty Mountains. Now they must travel through Mirkwood Forest. But they must go without the wizard Gandalf. Will they make it to Lonely Mountain where the dragon Smaug guards the dwarfs's gold?
Adventure finds a most unlikely person in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Walter, a timid magazine photo manager, lives a quiet life. Exciting things only happen to him in his dreams. But when a negative disappears, Walter finds himself in a real-life adventure!
Movie star Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco and became Prince Rainier of Monaco and became Princess Grace. Grace of Monaco tells how she helped save Monaco from a looming French invasion in the early 1960s.
This talented, young boy is being compared to some of the world's best-known artists.
The boy who paints like an old master.
According to his parents, Kieron was a typical toddler who liked finding bugs and playing in mud.
His progress amazed everyone as the young boy produced impressive landscapes and watercolors.
Kieron has probably become one of the most collectible artists currently exhibiting worldwide.
"I like the Queen to have a collection of my work." With his popularity soaring, this young artist may realize his wish one day.
From a young age, Mandy had a great deal of musical talent.
Love
Happy Facts.
These fun facts are sure to make you smile.
Here are some things you can be happy about even if you're having a bad day.
Cartoon romance: Wayne Allwine was the voice of Mickey Mouse in many cartoons. He married Russi Taylor, who supplied Minnie Mouse's voice.
Friendly cows: Cows form close bonds with other cows. They have best friends and feel stressed if they are separated from their friends.
Rabbit sports: In a Swedish sport, rabbits hop through courses with jumps of different heights and lengths. The sport has spread throughout Europe, the U.S., Canada and even Japan.
Hanging on: Otters hold hands when they sleep. This stops them from drifting away from each other.
Hugs heal: When you touch another person, your body produces a hormone called oxytocin. Studies suggest that oxytocin actually helps heal physical wounds.
Superheroes visit sick children: Sometimes window washers at children's hospitals wear superhero costumes. The kids love these visits from their favorite characters.
Remember these facts, and you'll always have a reason to smile.
Disater relief program
In a matter of minutes, earthquakes and floods can destroy not only people's home but everything they have. In times of disaster, people have found help and support through this program.
Emergency family relief program
What does an already poor family do when it doesn't qualify for government help but runs into an emergency situation?
Ming-chung owns a small steamed-bun business in the south. He developed diabetes and then had several heart operations. As a result, he ended up with countless medical bills to pay, as well as rent and his children's tuition. Thankfully, 1919 stepped in and helped this family survive for several months while Ming-chung was unable to work.
After-school program for disadvantaged children
These young children are usually on the own after school. They come from broke homes homes with working parents or no parents and homes with only a grandparent. Homes like these can provide only the basic necessities, meaning no after-school programs.
The program's first goal is to help the children finish their homework. The teachers found that the program raises kids' confidence and helps them stay in school. Basic life skills such as bathing and good character traits, including honesty and respect, are also taught. Music, arts and crafts are included.
Tasui is a teenager who lives in Africa. When he was young, he had polio, and now he crawls on his hands and knees. Although he wants to go to school, he must work.
Tasui is only one of millions of children who can't go to school. many must work to support their families. Others are sick, disabled or can't travel long distances. Still others don't have the finances to pay school fees. Therefore, more than 100 million children will never receive an education. Can anything be done?
Today, nearly 1 in 6 people around the world cannot read or write. Not being able to read impacts a person's job opportunities and increase poverty. Around the world, many girls face neglect and are often denied an education.
Although Timmy experienced neglect as a child, he grew up caring about people.
Science
Mysteries of the mind.
Scientists are still trying to discover the secrets behind human minds.
Scientists have taught us astounding facts about the world. But they haven;t been able to explain the things we experience every day.
Laughter
Laughter is one form of communication that transcends culture and language. It's a natural response that even young children have. Yet scientists are not sure exactly what causes people to laugh or what function laughter plays. It may be playful response to things that run contrary to people's expectations. Or laughter may have a social function of signaling that something is said in fun, not seriously.
Memory
People have an amazing ability to recall everything from mathematical facts to their morning routines to the smell of their favorite meal. Scientists think memory storage involves connections between brain cells. Memories may even affect the physical structures of human brains!
Human minds differentiate short-term and long-term memories. But scientists still don't have a complete explanation of how this process works. They also don't know how people retrieve their memories. When most people hear their best friend's name, they picture the person instantly. The ability to recall things so quickly is amazing - and unexplained.
Sleep
It enhances one's ability to fight disease, improves memory and helps one cope with stress. Neglecting it can result in exhaustion, hallucinations and in rare instances, even death! Sleep is important, but no one is quite sure why.
Scientists do know that people alternate between two kinds of sleep. Rapid eye movement sleep, REM, is when most humans dream. Deeper NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep may help people rest and conserve energy.
Scientists are still investigating the purpose of REM sleep and dreams. Some think dreams help people organize memories by selecting important short-term memories and converting them into long-term ones. Or dreams may exercise people's brains to prepare them for waking up.
Aging
Aging is a part of human life, but it isn't universal to all life. One type of ocean polyp doesn't age and could theoretically live forever. So why can't people live forever?
Some scientists see aging as a feature of human genes. It could be potentially beneficial, but they're not sure exactly how. Others see aging as cell damage that has built up gradually.
Almost everyone takes these processes for granted, but to scientists, they are far from ordinary.
The medical students are learning how to differentiate cells with cancer from healthy ones.
After the car accident, Arthur had trouble retrieving some of his memories.
The medicine we're developing should theoretically be able to cure that disease.
The way goods are produced could potentially be changed by 3-D printers.
Beetle Bottles
One little bug might be the start of a big change.
In a bleak, lonely desert on Africa's southwestern coast, black insects push up their shells toward the sun. But these Namibia desert beetles aren't just trying to relax - this action gives them much needed water in one of Earth's driest areas. On their raised backs, the beetles collect moisture from the morning fog, which beads and rolls directly into their mouths. While these remarkable creatures are built for survival, some young scientists think that the beetles inspire a solution to human water stress today.
NBD (Namib Beetle Design) Nanotechnologies is the name of this ambitious group, giving credit where it is due. Though the little Namibian creatures were the stimulus for the development of several water-collection materials or devices, NBD Nano is putting their own stamp on the idea. They want to create a portable bottle that will collect water from the air as the beetles do. To achieve this, they have created a nano-designed surface imitating the beetle's wings, made up of both water-attracting and water-resisting parts.
Once they have a working prototype, it will like first be sold to green consumers, military groups and greenhouses. However, NBD Nano really hopes these sales will allow "beetle bottles" to be donated to Third-World countries - a very honorable goal.
Family
Christmas Carols
The English word carol comes from Old French word carole, which means a circle dance with singing. Today the word carol is associated with Christmas and especially with Christmas songs that celebrate Jesus' birth - such as "Joy to the World." Christmas songs that aren't religious - such as "Jingle Bells" - are often simply called Christmas songs.
Good News!
In the past, people rang church bells so that the whole community would know something important was happening. Today church bells still ring to celebrate national holidays, also become an important symbol of Christmas because they remind us of the good news of the birth of Jesus, God's son.
The Color Green
For many cultures, the color green is an important symbol of hope. Since the Christmas holiday is also about hope, green has traditionally been used as a Christmas color. That 's why so many Christmas decorations are green - Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands for example.
Ornaments
Christmas trees first appeared in the 15th and 16th centuries in Germany. However, those Christmas trees were decorated very differently from the Christmas trees we know and love today. Early Christmas trees were decorated with food such as apples and pastries. It wasn't until the 19th century that modern decorations began to appear.
Where dreams come true, Christmas at Disney World
Every child has a dream. Little girls daydream about marrying Prince Charming and living happily ever after. Boys dream about staying in "Neverland," where they never grow up and can play all day. Is there a place where dreams come true? Well, for at least one or two days? The answer is yes - Disney World because we are going to celebrate Christmas here. Mickey, Buzz Lightyear, Snow White and others will join us in the celebration.
All four theme parks are decorated with lights and Christmas trees and decorations. Holiday joy is in the air. In addition to the regular entertainment, special Christmas parades and performances celebrate the season.
On our Animal Kingdom ride Kilimanjaro Safaris, we glimpse giraffes and elephants in their natural environments. The live Festival of the Lion King show combines singing, dancing and acrobatics. The audience takes part in the program as if they were at the festival with the animals.
Movie lovers won't want to miss The Great Movie Ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We are excited to watch some classic moive clips. Our all-time favorite - Star Wars. Star Tours, a motion-simulated space flight, gives us a chance to experience adventure in 3-D.
On Christmas Eve, Epcot holds a special celebration - the Candlelight Processional. A full orchestra with a mass chorus holding candles performs traditional Christmas music and songs. A famous person reads the Christmas story from the Bible.
At Magic Kingdom, the magnificent fireworks above Cinderella's castle light up the sky. And now, this dreamland is about to come to an end. Have your dreams come true yet? My children will grow up. We will get old. But the sweet memories our family is creating together here and now will stay in our hearts forever. My dream is to enjoy time with my family. And, today, my dream has come true.
Merry Christmas!
July is start this month with some hot July facts. Hot, hot, hot!
Welcome to one of the hottest months on Earth - at least in the Northern Hemisphere. Indeed, you can try doing that on July 4 - Sidewalk Egg Frying Day.
Of course, you may want to beat the heat by eating ice cream. Ronald Reagan, America's 40th president, would have supported that idea! In 1984, he declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. Take your cold treat and go for a walk.
July's gemstone is the red ruby. this "king of gems" represent courage, among other virtues. According to some, soldiers used to implant rubies under their skin in hopes of gaining courage in battle.
International Joke Day is July 1 - today! And who doesn't like to laugh? Take some time to tell a joke or post something funny online. After all, laughter is the best medicine.
What do Americans usually do in summer? The last thing they like to do is to stay indoors to study or work. School gets out in mid-June, so parents make plans to travel or send their kids to summer camps. Road trips or beach vacations are top choices for families. Camps vary from technology to adventure.
The local swim and fitness centers make popular spots to cool off. The Music Center, shopping malls and Town Center host free outdoor concerts every week. And sports lovers canoe or kayak along the river or bike and hike on the trails all summer.
So what is my family doing this summer? On weekends, we're going to different state and regional parks. Rock Creek Regional Park's Lake Needwood is our favorite place to hike. The nature center there helps us understand this area's history. My children love the Legacy of the People exhibit. Outside they visit the aviaries to see their "feathered friends" - a wing-injured American bald eagle and a half-blind owl.
Like many American families, we're going to the beach. Ocean City is famous for its beautiful beach, fishing and water sports. Thousands of vacationers go there to surf, boogie board and swim. Kids build sandcastles and jump in the waves while adults swim or sunbathe. Free movies, bonfires and concerts on the beach occur almost every night.
Ocean City also has one of America's famous boardwalks. Gigantic kites fly high, and street performers and shops provide entertainment. The arcades are filled with kids of all ages.
And food? Seafood lovers will enjoy the spicy steamed crab and famous Maryland crab cakes. Have a sweet tooth like me? Try the caramel popcorn, funnel cakes and hot, hand-dipped donuts.
It's the beginning of the summer, so let's go out and have some fun!
Health
Healthy eating on a budget.
You can care for your body and your bank account at the same time.
What can you do if you can't afford healthy food? If you want to save money, are you stuck with eating instant noodles and fried rice? Actually there are several ways to get food that will preserve your health - and your savings.
When eating out
Order wisely
In general, choose grilled, baked or steamed dishes instead of fried ones. And choose vegetables as side dishes in order to fill up on healthy foods rather than fattening ones.
Know your limit
When you're full, stop eating - even if some food remains on your plate. Take the rest to go, and eat it later instead of purchasing an additional snack or meal.
Drink to your health
Fortunately, the least expensive drink is also the healthiest - water. Sodas and even fruit juices are filled with sugar and may contain dangerous chemicals. So instead of paying for a drink, enjoy free water at most restaurants.
Avoid desserts
At the end of your meal, skip the sweets. By not ordering dessert, you save money and cut down on calories and sugar.
When cooking
Be prepared
Healthy, inexpensive meals require a little planning. Set a budget to determine how much you can afford to spend on food. Then make a list of what you can buy within that budget.
Once you've made your list, stick to it! To avoid impulse purchases, don't shop when you're hungry. If you can't resist certain treats, stay out of the aisles where they're located.
Go natural
Artificial flavors, colors and chemicals added to processed food may contribute to various health problems. So instead of processed food, eat foods you prepare yourself from simple ingredients like fruit, vegetables, whole grains and meat without fat. These foods often cost less, too.
Eat fruit and vegetables that are in season. They're cheaper, and they taste better because they're fresh and ripe.
Have fruit for dessert
Healthy eating doesn't mean you can't indulge in something sweet. Fresh fruit can be sweet and delicious - but without the processed sugar and fat of cookies or ice cream.
Following these tips will lead you to healthier - and cheaper - eating habits.
Heather feels like she is stuck with working at a job she doesn't like.
