When I was eight years old, Mother told me to put my coat on because we were going to go someplace 1. Usually, that meant we were going to see someone important or 2. I would at least get a new toy. I asked which one it would be that day, and she told me that I would be getting something better than a toy. She said I would get "access(通道)to a world of toys."
I had no idea why she was being so 3that day. 4, I had no real idea what she meant.
"Access to a world of toys?" Did that mean we were buying a toy store?
But we did not 5 at any toy store. Nor did we finally see anyone we knew.6, Mother pulled her car into a parking lot in front of a building that looked like 7 out of the past. It didn't have a modern look at all. And as we 8 the car, I still had no idea what this place was.
We took stone steps up to the entrance. Only then did I find out what this place was, because there was a sign that 9"Marcy Public Library". We pushed the door open, and Mother led me to the front desk. "I'd like to get my daughter a library card", she told the man 10the desk. He asked her to fill out a form and smiled at me. "What kind of books do you like?" he asked. I was too shy to 11 them. I simply smiled back and shrugged my shoulders. "Well, you'll find it out in time," he said.
I do not remember 12 I checked out that first day, but I know that in the years that followed I read everything I could find 13 at that old library. I read through all the Nancy Drew books before working on Judy Blume, then the 14: Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Shakespeare. Then I read books on history, books of poetry, and books about art. The library opened up a world that I 15 knew existed (存在).
So Mother was right. Getting a library card was like getting access to a world of toys.
Hiking is a fun way to get some fresh air and exercise. Here are a few simple tips to help you make sure that your next hiking trip is both safe and enjoyable.
First, it is always best to hike with at least one other person. Not only is hiking more fun with a friend, it is also safer. If you get hurt, your friend can go for help. If you decide to hike alone, make sure that you let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. This way, if you get lost or injured, someone will know where to look for you and when to send help.
Next, make sure you have plenty of water. Even if you are only going for a short hike, it is important to have lots of water on hand so that you avoid dehydration. Plan to bring one liter of water per person per hour of hiking. You can begin to dehydrate before you even realize it, so make sure to sip your water frequently, even if you are not very thirsty.
You should also make sure that you are wearing the right clothing. You should wear comfortable, closed-toed shoes and thick socks. If you're going on a long hike, you might want to bring an extra pair of socks just in case. Your clothing should be comfortable and easy to move around in. Clothing that is too loose might catch on rocks or branches, but clothing too tight might become uncomfortable as you walk. You should also wear your clothing in layers. This way, you can take off or put on layers based on how hot or cold it is outside. A hat and sunscreen are also a must; your head and skin need protection from the sun even when it is cold out.
These are just a few tips for a basic hiking trip. No matter where, when, or for how long you plan on hiking, remember: a fun hiking trip is a safe hiking trip.
For his seventh birthday, Rashard was given a gift that would define his life. His father took him to a music store and told Rashard he could pick out any instrument he wanted. There was just one requirement. Rashard would have to promise he would learn to play.
To that point, Rashard had not had much interest in music. Rashard was far more interested in playing video games or occasionally baseball with his friends. He had never once thought about playing an instrument. It was hard for him to pick one on his birthday.
Not knowing where to start, Rashard wandered the music store. In the front of the store, he saw all the pianos. Though Rashard's family did not live in poverty, he knew they were also not rich. He knew that a piano was too expensive, so he walked past the piano room. Next, he found a wall filled with brass instruments. There was a tuba, a saxophone, a trumpet, and something he could not tell. The salesman said it was a French horn. Rashard was not interested in any of those either, because he did not want to put his mouth on anything. He moved on to the large room filled with acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and basses. The salesman invited him to try out one of the guitars, but the only problem was that Rashard's hands were too small to fit around the neck of the instrument!
Realizing he would not be able to play a guitar, Rashard moved into the next room of the music store. There, he found stringed instruments other than guitars. He picked up a violin, and he realized it was the perfect size for his small hands!
Rashard kept his promise to his dad. He took lessons at the very same store he bought the violin, and he continues to play it as an adult.
Though Rashard has since bought nicer violins, he always remembered the first one his father bought for him. It was easily the most important gift Rashard ever received. As his father put it, "The gift of music is better than any video game you wanted when you were seven."
I lived in Hollywood. You may think people in such an attractive, fun—filled place are happier than others. If so, you have some mistaken ideas about the nature of happiness.
Many people still equate happiness with fun. The truth is that fun and happiness have little or nothing in common. Fun is what we experience during an act. Happiness is what we experience after an act. It's a deeper, more long-lasting feeling. Going to a ball game, watching a movie or television, are fun activities that help us relax, forget our problems for a while and maybe even laugh. But they do not bring happiness, because their positive feelings end when the fun ends.
I have often thought that if Hollywood stars have a role to play, it is to teach us that happiness has nothing to do with fun. These rich people have enjoyed exciting parties, fancy cars, expensive homes, everything that spells "happiness". But those famous people often tell of the unhappiness hidden behind all their fun: broken marriages, troubled children, and long-time loneliness.
If one believes that a fun-filled life without pain means happiness, he will probably not achieve real happiness. If fun and pleasure are equated with happiness, then pain must be equated with unhappiness. But, in fact, the opposite is true: More often than not, things that lead to happiness usually cause some pain.
As a result, many people avoid the very efforts that are the reason for true happiness. They are afraid of the pain necessarily brought by such things as marriage, raising children, professional achievement, and self-improvement.
What I never understood in elementary school was why my dad would always tell me to go on the bus . At first I believed he just wanted me to be respectful to others by (let) them go on first. Now I realize he just wanted to spend as much time as with me.
While others (get) on the bus, my father whispered, "Behave, son. I love you." I replied, "Dad, I love you too." I would then give my father a hug. At that moment, my turn came and I walked up the stairs. I (hurry) went to my usual seat and strapped on my seat belt. I looked at the window and my father's hand was already there. I followed our time-practiced ritual (惯例), and I put my hand in front of his.
Even though there was a glass window us, it was almost as if we were actually touching each other, my small hand in his bigger one. For a moment we (connect) as one, and seemed that all outside noises were gone. My mind was calm and full of love. Everybody was moving around with the busy morning, we were there as calm as ever. As the bus roared to life, I watched my dad wave goodbye to me. I leaned back in my seat and felt the (warm) of my father's hand soak into me.
