English fiction 6

Travel

We moved to a small town partly to get away from all the rush of the big city. But I was disoriented when I was in Australia because they drive on the left side.

My uncle is a world traveler and has fascinating stories to tell. Playing the piano for a living becomes more exciting when travel is involved. Cruise ship pianists provide music of many kinds - Broadway-style, classical, jazz, pop, etc. A pianist will accompany singers of many kinds as well as playing solo music. Being able to travel extensively is the best part of the job.

Don and Marge went on a cruise to the Greek Islands last month. Their bank account was almost empty after his last vacation. They decided she could do without eating out for the next two months to save money for her vacation.
They talk the unforgetting scene. Everyone stood and gazed at the amazing sunset.

Most of us consider winter a great time to stay inside with a good book. Yet the winter months offer great outdoor events, including many fun and unique festivals. To get to this festival, you'll need to travel to "the ends of the earth!" The remote region located in Mongolia is the perfect setting for cold-weather activities. Each year local residents have a two-day celebration. Wandering reindeer herders also join the fun, sharing their traditional songs and dances.

The activities take place on the frozen lake and include sled races, skating and much more. There's an ice tower with a slide and an ice house with hot and cold drinks. Visitors are always surprised to see how much weight the lake can hold. People, horses and even bonfires can be found on Lake Khovsgol!

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous
North America's largest winter festival takes place in Anchorage, Alaska. In the past, the fur trade was one of the state's most important industries. The festival's 80th anniversary this year will celebrate Alaska's pioneer way of life. People can enjoy nearly 70 different activities.

Exciting events include the World Championship Sled Dog Races and Running of the Reindeer. If film is your passion, when Norway's Tromso film festival is for you! ince the country's winter days are in twilight, It's perfect for watching movie outside.

Every January, ice art takes center stage in the beautiful Swiss village of Grindelwald. Artists from around the world arrive in mid-January to accept the ice challenge. They start with meter-high blocks of ice and spend six days creating spectacular sculptures.

Festival-goers are delighted to see the process as well as the finished pieces. An added benefit is the chance to enjoy the breathtaking scenery around Grindelwald. Don't let the cold weather keep you inside this season. There are lots of fun and exciting events to attend!

If chocolate is your passion, then Belgium is the place for you! When I'm traveling, I take the scenic route if I'm not in a hurry. You'll enjoy beautiful scenery from the helicopter as you fly over the Hawaiian Islands.

Tipping Tips
Tipping customs in different parts of the world. You're taking a trip around the world! You've got money for food, transportation and hotels. But in some countries, you'll need extra cash to tip people who help you. How much should you give?
\North America
In the US. and Canada, failing to tip is extremely rude. Waiters and waitresses often earn low wages, so they rely on tips. Give them at least 15 percent of the cost of your meal before tax. If the service is really good, tip 20 percent. It's common to give porters in hotels $1 or $2 for each bag they carry. You should also tip hotel housekeepers, tour guides and taxi drivers.

Africa
In most African countries, tip waiters 10 percent of the bill. But in South Africa, give them 15 percent. In hotels, the concierge may offer services such as booking show tickets. For these services, give the concierge a tip in advance. And don't forget to tip porters and taxi drivers.

Europe
Tipping customs in Europe wary from country to country. In Frances, waiters rarely receive tips. The cost of service is included in the bill. Many English restaurants also include a service charge. But those that don't expect customers to tip 10 to 15 percent. In Germany, there is no service charge, so a 10 to 15 percent tip is appropriate. Make sure you tip in cash, though, so the money gets to your waiter. In most of Europe, porters, guides and housekeepers also expect tips.

Asia
In Southeast Asia, tips are not usually required. But people will appreciate them if you choose to give them. However, that's not true everywhere in Asia. If you give waiters tips in Japan or China, they might offended!
Restaurant and hotel staff work hard to make your trip more enjoyable. So make sure you thank them - in the way that fits their culture.

Winter in Iceland
Five reasons to visit Iceland in the off-season. You'd think a country with "ice" in its name would be a terrible place to visit in the winter. But don't be fooled - this island just south of the Arctic Circle has fairly mild winters, thanks to warm ocean currents. Time your vacation here during the winter months, and you can take advantage of some off-season deals.

1. Save money. Off-season means good deals on flights, hotels, tours and more. You may also find that the locals are a bit friendlier and more welcoming when tourists aren't arriving in throngs.
2.See the lights. In the winter months, when there are less than seven hours of daylight, chances are good you'll glimpse the northern lights. And because the sun doesn't rise as high during the day, sunrises and sunsets last longer, making for some great photo opportunities.
3. Enjoy the outdoors. Centuries of volcanic activity have turned Iceland's countryside into a rugged, otherworldly landscape. In Iceland, winter is the perfect time to hike glaciers, go ice climbing, explore caves made out of hardened lava and much more. One of the most popular activities is off-roading in a specially-equipped "super jeep."

Take a dip. No matter what time of year you go, your trip to Iceland is not complete without a soak in one of the piping hot geothermal pools. This is the Icelandic equivalent of a hot spring. Even when snow is falling, you'll find Icelanders outdoors, enjoying a relaxing dip in one of these pools. One of the most famous is Blue Lagoon, a spa that boasts pools, steam rooms, caves and a restaurant.

Come for the thinner crowds and cheaper off-season prices, and stay for the spectacular natural wonders around the island. Although Iceland may be an unusual choice for a winter vacation, its unexpected charms will make this a trip you'll want to take again!

When he was in Europe, Alex was went sightseeing around Paris. The fancy hotel was like an oasis in the ugly, old town.
A throng of tourists got off the bus and filled up the entire restaurant. Then they rush the museum. The Paris museum is known for its many famous sculptures. You'll find the museum's most famous paintings in this gallery. From the observation tower, Maggie could see all over town.

The cost of food depending on where you are. A trip to Los Angeles is not complete without spending a day or two at Disneyland. It's very expensive. There games provides a Special Olympics-like field day for families in a carnival-like atmosphere. Each games includes an awards ceremony in which all the children are presented with medals to commemorate their accomplishments.

Jessie hopes to become a journalist and report on events around the world. She did. Jessie saw a glacier when she visited Canada. She also went to  Alaska. Alaska  hosts a very famous sled dog race every year.

There were several volcanos. Lava slowly moved down the side of the volcano. But she were not scared. She is brave girl who can travel anywhere. But it is the riskiest time to walk alone through the city park is after dark.

Summertime means fun in the sun, but outdoor fun also comes with some risks. Because the color white reflects the most sunlight, it is a good choice for summer. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your head, face, ears and eyes. Drink plenty of water to avoid heat stroke. Never leave children or pets in a car, even with the windows open a little bit. Temperatures inside can reach 49 degrees Celsius in just a few minutes. Such temperatures eventually can cause brain damage and death. Have a safe and fun summer!

Time are changing, and these desert people aren't far behind. Bedouin of the past when hear the word "Bedouin," they may think of mysterious desert nomads. This people group has survived for centuries, roaming the open deserts from Moroccco to Iraq.

They traveled as tribes, along with herds of camels, sheep and goats. Because the desert couldn't support even a small group for long, Bedouin moved from one fertile oasis to another often. Bedouin tribes lived in tents, some very simple and some quite luxurious. Tribes were ruled by sheiks, men of the tribe who were often chosen for their wisdom and abilities. The tribes relied largely on camels, which provided transportation, meat, milk and fuel.

The Bedouin were also known for their great generosity toward visitors. After weeks of traveling alone, meeting a new person was something to celebrate. Guests were welcome to stay for three days. Their reputation for hospitality still stands today.

Anna and Jen are planning their vacation.
Jen: I'm really excited about our trip! I've started looking for plane tickets.
Anna: Plane tickets? I was thinking we could drive and do some sightseeing along the way.
Jen: Driving takes so long! We only have 10 days, and I want to spend all of them in Los Angeles.
Anna: That's over a week - that's plenty of time. Besides, I've heard that the scenery between here and Los Angeles is gorgeous.
Jen: But It's like an 18-hour drive! What will we do on such a long road trip? We'll probably get tired of looking at the scenery.
Anna: It'll be a great chance to chat. Plus we can listen to music or audio books.
Jen: We can chat in LA. And I don't want to worry about planning our route, getting lost or getting stuck in traffic when we get to cities.
Anna: Flying can be stressful too. We have to get to the airport early, check our luggage, get through security, find our gate on time. Stuff like that. If we drive, we can take our time.
Jen: Flying is only stressful before boarding. Once we're on board, we don't have to worry about anything until we reach our destination.
Anna: I just don't want to spend so much money on plane tickets.
Jen: I found some good discounts online, and when you're flying, you only pay for tickets and fees. When you're driving, you have to pay to rent the car, for gas, meals and hotels.
Anna: Remember, we'd be splitting the cost.
Jen: Even if flying costs more, it's safer. Plane crashes are far less common than car accidents. I'm willing to spend more money to ensure our safety.
Anna: But I'm a really good driver; we won't have a car accident.
Jen: You can't guarantee that. You don't know about the other drivers on the road. And how will we stay alert for so long?
Anna: We can take turns driving and stop whenever we need a break.
Jen: We may need to stop a lot because sometimes I get carsick.
Anna: Well, you should be OK if we take some medicine along. And remember, we won't have to deal with the airline's baggage restrictions.
Jen: How much do you want to bring? We're only going for a week!
Anna: Hey, I have an idea. Let's compromise. Let's drive there and fly home.
Jen: Great idea! Let's do it!

Some of the greatest treasures in the world can be found in London. Those interested in wandering through museum galleries should head to the british Museum. This great museum houses over 8 million objects, including the Rosetta Stone and the beautiful Elgin Marbles. Each day you can join short tours that introduce the museum's different collections.

For those wanting a view from the top, the London Eye will not disappoint. It is the city's highest observation wheel. Thirty-two "car" hold up to 25 people each, and one revolution takes 30 minutes. You'll experience unforgettable views in every direction. You can see 55 of London's most famous landmarks as you spin through the sky.

Madame Tussauds offers visitors the chance to see famous people up close. Here you can "visit" with more than 300 celebrities both past and present. Tussauds has been offering history in wax for more than 200 years.

Be sure to visit the famous Tower of London. During its 945-year history, it has been a palace, prison, jewel house and zoo! Take a Yeoman Warder's tour and hear stories from the place's colorful past. Then gaze in wonder at the crown jewels.

For more history, step into Westminster Abbey. Since 1066, all of England's kings and queens have been crowned here. Three thousand tombs and hundreds of memorials of famous people line the floors and walls.
For a truly British experience, pick a place to enjoy afternoon tea. You'll enjoy some superb tea as well as scones, small sandwiches and cakes. But plan ahead. Some locations are booked weeks in advance!
Whatever you sample in London - sightseeing, eating or shopping, you'll enjoy it.

If you want to stay in the Gibbs Farm in Africa, you have to book a year in advance. When they booked it, they went. Traveling by bus or bike lowers air pollution, which may lead to global warming. Picking up litter on the beach also keeps the water clean.We can protect the environment by cleaning up our garbage. Healthy coral reefs mean a healthy ocean and a healthy Earth!

office

Joe: That dress is inappropriate to wear to work. It's really for a party.
Helen: I think there is an inherent problem with your suggestion. Although, my boss don't like it, too. But I need to take it easy. I don't let the amount of work you have to do paralyze me. I told my boss, "A positive work environment means happier workers and greater productivity."
 So I am wrestling with my boss's decision because I don't think it is ethical. There are several ways to disarm an argument and I succeed.
Joe: Most people like working at your company because of its friendly atmosphere.
Helen: No way, it's busy there. One of my roles is to play host to our visitors from around the world.
Joe: I don't think so. That job is very difficult, but the wages are high. Not like me. If everyone needs someone with computer expertise, just talk to me. Sometimes, I was tried like a dog.
Helen: The office was busy this week, but I'm letting my hair down this weekend. My boss designated me to represent our department at the weekly meeting. And it is busy reviewing new student applications. The new employee is counterpart in my office need me to teach a thing or two from me.

Joe: you are a regular traveler. Teach me how to get in and out of airports quickly
Helen: I am busy. I have few time to travel abroad. I loosely held onto his vacation plans because I wasn't sure I could get time off.. I can't give you any suggest.

Joe: That chocolate cake is so good that I'm tempted to eat three pieces. Come on. Eat more.
Helen: I can't eat it. I am on a diet.
Joe: Are you serious on a diet? You just were tempted to eat all. Eating a natural diet is beneficial to your health.

In the dark night, Helen felt such pressure trying to make a sales presentation that she cried.
In the office, Helen met the Joe.
Joe: If you stay up too late at night, you might oversleep in the morning.

You  see a familiar face across the room. You smile, wave ... and draw a blank. What is that person's name. Forgetting someone's name is embarrassing. Whether it's for business or friendship, remembering someone's name makes the person feel important.

Focus: Really look at the person's face. Repeating a name helps, too. Say it in your head and out loud. "It's nice to meet you, David." But if you do forget, don't be embarrassed to ask again. Say something nice first. "I've had a great time conversing with you. But I'm afraid I've forgotten your name." Then when you hear it again, try these tips to remember it!
Have we met before? You look really familiar.

It's important for colleagues in an office to have a good working relationship. For example, everyone likes Sharon because she's so friendly. Saron's optimism makes him a lot  of fun to be around. I treasure my my friendship with Sharon.

Boss David: Can you converse with the other members of your team today?
Manager John: Yes, why not?
Boss David: You can show consequence or how something will bring a certain result. Part of Sam's problem is that he has no skills. The other part is that he has no experience.
Manager John: It's maybe a mess. Martin's daughter receives treatment because of her syndrome. Ruby is trying to pioneer a new technology business. Tony has a heart disorder that makes him feel tired all the time. My team will be over.

Boss David: Don't worry. We will tailor the program to your needs. We can readjust the program to include your performance. But you have to hang in there if you're going to finish the race. First, we talk your team.
Manager John: I haven't thought of any creative ideas for this project yet - let's brainstorm together.
Boss David: Jackie is very observant. She sees things other people miss. And you call Frank to this meeting.
Manager John: Frank could not guarantee that he would get to the meeting on time.
Boss David: How about talking Nathan. Nathan quit his job because he couldn't handle the daily pressure. In order to cut the company's budget, everything will be considered, including layoffs.And it is difficult for Angie to cope with a busy school schedule and a job too.

Manager John: People are unhappy with the country's economy. Accordingly, the politicians are losing popularity. These days it's riskier than before to quit a job. The bad economy made it really difficult for people to find jobs. Tommy's spectacular performance in the amateur play resulted in a job offer. So he quited our job.
Boss David: Can you attend several observers watched the progress of the meeting.
Manager John: Yes, they wouldn't be fire. I forward suggestion. That company has a new marketing manager, and that has led to an increased number of sales! Then our employee morale will be improved.

Boss David was very anger and saying :  No way, we have no money.
Manager John: Is anything wrong? You've been losing your temper a lot lately. The best employers are those who take an interest in their employees' lives. Do you understand?
Boss David: You know it.We must play hardball.
Manager John: I love what I do, but as with any job, it has its disappointments. I know my friend, Jake,  took an electric car from his because he values environmental sustainability.
Boss David: There's a certain code of behavior in the office. If you don't follow it, you won't succeed.

Control time
Time often holds us hostage. We wrestle with endless to-do lists, pressurized deadlines and spiraling guilt (from failing to get it all done). But there is a way out. Good habits - planning, organization and focus - can unlock the prison of "not enough time."

Instead of going full throttle at every task, invest time in identifying your core values. Then, schedule selectively. Take a look at your life and determine which activities are vital: high-payoff, crucial, life- or business-sustaining.

Then, set aside an hour on a Sunday to ask yourself what's really important. Make a list and grab your calendar. If family time is key, designate one day per month as a family outing day. Think creatively.
Prioritizing is the key to greater is the key to greater efficiency as well as accomplishing what really matters. Assesses each activity or task at hand and ask yourself point-blank: What results will this gain?
How to: Establish a way of ranking items on your to-do list by relearning your ABCs. Give A-items (rich in reward) your full attention first. Set aside a special time each day or week to accomplish these things. Focus less on the B's (they offer minimal payoff). Brush aside or farm out the C's with the 4D's: delete, delay, diminish, delegate.

Taking a call at random or chatting with an unexpected visitor can eat away your day. Manage distractions by asking upfront how much time is required. Be proactive in deciding whether to proceed or postpone. If you're in the middle of something, offer to meet at a later time.

How to: Get ahead of the game by starting early in the day. One hour of quiet, uninterrupted work time is worth three to four hours later in the day, according to time-management studies. Also, don't start each morning with the simplest tasks on your to-do list to warm up. That tactic simply wastes your most alert hours.

Imagine your time is like a closet. See your day as a limited space that accommodates only so much and benefits from organization. Group common tasks together. Hit the grocery store, cleaners and health-food store all in one outing.
Just do it!

Procrastination is a chronic time guzzler. Set up a rewards system to stay motivated. Say a deadline out loud to someone else to solidify it in your mind and to commit yourself to it. If you are consistently late, set an early deadline and write reminders in your planner, calendar, or on post-its. Don't let fear of failure - or success = paralyze you. Jump in and get started.

How to: If you are feeling unfocused and having trouble getting something done, take a 15-minute break. Set a beginning and end to break to make it guilt-free.