Some of my earliest memories involve sitting with my dad in his study every night when he came home. Dad has a jade green comb. Every night, he would smile, hand me the comb and say: "Help Daddy clean it, OK?" At age five this task brought me such joy. I would excitedly turn the tap on, and then brush the comb with a used toothbrush as hard as I could. Satisfied with my job, I would proudly return it to Dad. He would smile at me, and place the comb on top of his wallet.
About two years later, Dad left his job and started his own business. That was when things started to change. Dad's business wasn't doing so well, and our stable life started getting shaky. He didn't come home as much as he used to. And when he did, it was always late and I'd already be in bed. I started to get mad. Why didn't he listen to Mum and just stick to his old job? Over the years, I stopped spending my nights with him.
Now 28, I've already got a job. Dad's business has also started to be on track. Things are better. Yet the uncomfortable silence between us persisted.
Two days before my birthday last year, Dad came home early. As I helped him carry his bags into his study, he said. "Hey, would you like to help me clean my comb? It's been a while: since I last cleaned it." I looked at him a while, then took the comb and headed to the sink.
As I cleaned the comb, it hit me then: why, as a child, helping my dad clean his comb was such a joy. That routine meant my dad was home early to spend the evening with Mum and I. It meant he would watch TV with us or playa few videogames with me. It meant a happy and loving family.
I pass the clean comb back to Dad. He looks at it and smiles. But this time, I notice something different. My dad has aged. He has wrinkles next to his eyes when he smiles, yet his smile is still heartwarming. The smile of a father who just wants a good life for his family.
Dad carefully places his comb on top of his wallet. The same old jade green comb. I guess some things never change. And for that, I'm glad.
Many Chinese sports fans last month felt frustrated when the China women's national football team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. There was the typical roller coaster of emotional reactions with the usual talking heads on social media shouting for the chief coach Shui Qingxia to be fired. Similarly, at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Chinese national team athlete Wu Yanni came under attack for having been disqualified because of a false start. Facing pressure, she had to post an open letter to deeply apologize to all her "friends."
Strangely enough, many of these armchair en tics and "friends" were the very people who had sung the praises of Shui's and Wu's performance not long ago. Unfortunately, this phenomenon of polarized thinking, also referred to as black-and-white thinking, is by no means unique to the world of competitive sports, where successes and failures can happen in an instant.
Polarized thinking occurs when emotions run high and people use the lower part of their brain. This was very useful in the early stages of human development when, back in the Stone Age, our ancestors were forced to categorize everything into either good or bad because they lived in constant fear of being attacked by larger animals. Their lives were always on the line. There was no time to consider the nuanced (微妙的) middle ground or to put themselves in other people's shoes.
Since those old days are long gone, why do we still need to be so extreme in our thinking? The consequences of giving into polarized thinking are dangerous. Adopting extreme positions can distort (歪曲) yourself-image and worldview (like judging yourself or other individuals based on a single event), both of which will lead to failure in life.
What if you were verbally (口头上地) attacked by those polarized types? An effective way to deal with it is to apply the technique of summarization: "So what you're saying is...Is that correct? Could you be more specific?" This is a type of mental jujitsu (柔术), where you use the attacker's energy and strength against themselves. Emotional people are not good at being specific, so if you calmly ask them for a detailed explanation of their position, their argument will often reach a dead end. By that time, just smile and tell them, "Thank you for sharing."
The planet is in trouble, and a gas-car ban just might help. But how will it affect you? Cars are not small investments. They make a big impact on our wallets — but also on the environment. That's why when California announced a gas-car ban in August arid other states suggested they'd follow suit, there was a mixed response. Sure, reducing our use of gas by choosing more eco-friendly cars could slow climate change and help everyone live more sustainably, not to mention save money on gas in the long run. But what would happen to people's cars? Would they have to buy an expensive new electric vehicle right now?
Well, let's set a few things straight first: This isn't a full-on ban. People living in or visiting California will still be able to drive gas cars, as well as buy and register used internal combustion engines (ICE) vehicles, well after the law takes effect. But in a little over a decade, residents will not be allowed to register new gas-burning cars. It will take more than a decade for the ban to take effect fully — 2035, to be exact.
Why is California banning gas cars? It's all about the environment. More than half of California's carbon pollution comes from the transportation sector, and eliminating ICE vehicles is a critical first step in, addressing the climate crisis. California has seen the impact of climate change firsthand in the form of natural disasters such as floods, mudslides, record-breaking droughts and extreme wildfires — all of which have increased in frequency and intensity in recent years.
However, new rules and laws can be fearsome, and hard to carry out at first. For example, electric vehicles (EVs) also don't get as many miles per charge, making them difficult for long-distance trips and states with few charging stations. Related to that, the country needs more public charging stations. But, of course, the biggest barrier to more people getting excited about electric vehicles is price, which is currently higher than traditional vehicles due to their expensive batteries.
Still, Rauch is hopeful. "As someone who is focused on the health benefits of reducing pollution, I see the benefits as vastly outweighing the challenges," she says. "At the end of the day, who doesn't want their children and grandchildren to breathe clean air?"
Improving your family life can help make your family members closer and prevent conflicts from getting in the way of everyone's happiness.Fortunately, there are lots of concrete steps you can take to make your time with your family more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Have meals together as often as possible.
Parents work and kids have after-school activities, so it's tough to have breakfast and dinner together every day. However, do your best to eat together as often as possible.When someone gets home from work or practice late, sit down with them while they have dinner, even if you've already eaten. Spending time together and having a conversation is more important than eating at the same time.
Do household chores together.
Few people actually enjoy doing chores, but sharing household responsibilities can help everyone in your family take pride in your home.. For instance, whoever finishes folding their laundry first might get to pick out the movie you'll watch together. Divide chores up into age-appropriate categories. After dinner, your youngest could wipe the table, your oldest could fill the dishwasher, and you could put away leftovers.
Avoid comparing your family to those you see on social media.
It can be easy to believe that because other people always look happy in their pictures and videos they always feel that way.If you start to envy someone else's family, just remind yourself that you don't know what their life is really like, and they likely have family arguments and other issues just like everyone else. Remember, even if someone else's family takes more vacations or has more expensive things, it doesn't mean they're any happier than you and your family are.
Avoid harsh criticism and judgments.
Give each other permission to express emotions and act silly without fear of criticism or judgment.If you're a parent, offer positive, constructive criticism, and try to discourage your children from harshly judging each other. Instead of saying, "No, that's not how you do that," say, "Good try, but let me help you do this the right way."
A. Remember, every family needs to work to keep their relationships healthy and strong.
B. When people expect harsh judgment, they tend to bottle things up and avoid sharing their feelings.
C. However, navigating family relationships requires patience, understanding, and effective communication.
D. Family meals are a key routine that helps you stay involved in each other's lives.
E. When you are stressed, you're more likely to make harsh judgments.
F. Try to make it as fun as possible, such as by playing music or having contests.
G. Developing a chore system in your family's routine can make a big difference.
At just 14 years old, He man Bekele emerged as the victor of the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge,1 among nine other finalists with his innovative creation known as the Skin Cancer Treating Soap (SCTS). In2 of his exceptional achievement, this ninth-grade talent is set to receive a substantial cash award of $25,000.
Bekele's revolutionary concept3 through a two-minute video, centers on the development of a soap that is not only4 , priced at less than $10 per bar, but also has the potential to reactivate dendritic cells — the body's natural 5 of the skin — to cope with skin cancer.
Reflecting on his presentation and inspiration, Bekele shared that his childhood in Ethiopia played a significant 6 in shaping his innovative thinking. Having witnessed people work7 under the scorching sun, he couldn't help but8 how many were aware of the risks associated with long-term sun9 .
"I wanted to make my idea not only scientifically exceptional but also accessible to a broad audience," Bekele expressed during an interview with The Washington Post. To10 him realize his ambitious plans, he received invaluable advice from Deborah Isabelle, a product engineering specialist at 3M, who11 him with other scientists. Ultimately, the path forward for Bekele's creation includes obtaining FDA approval.
During his presentation at the 3M global headquarters in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Bekele 12 expressed his vision of turning the soap into a "symbol of hope, accessibility, and a world where skin cancer treatment is within 13 for all."
Over the coming five years, Bekele is determined to perfect his invention and14 a nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering his innovative creation to poor communities, offering hope and a practical solution in the15 against skin cancer.
—____. I actually found it quite entertaining.
The 2023-24 Hohhot (呼和浩特) Ice and Snow Festival (kick) off at the Mazongshan Ski Resort in Hohhot, capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Dec 22.
The festival features a series of New Year activities, the third Hohhot Happy Ice and Snow Carnival, and the Hohhot Spring Festival and Lantern Festival celebrations.
The third Hohhot Happy Ice and Snow Carnival combines North China's culture and local customs, showcasing 80 activities, (include) ice and snow architecture, ice and snow sports, artistic(perform), and New Year's markets. Additionally, Hohhot's cultural and exhibition venues will host 57 cultural activities.
(locate) in the "golden latitude belt" of ice and snow, Hohhot boasts excellent natural conditionswinter sports, with a winter season lasting over four(month) and average temperatures ranging from -2 C to-13 C.
In recent years, Hohhot (boost) its winter tourism by cultivating(diversity) product offerings and launching a range of distinctive winter tourism activities.
This year, Hohhot will host the 14th National Winter Games, as a result of its geographical and transportation advantages, it forms a "2-hour transportation circle" with Beijing. With the opening of the "Beijing-Hohhot" ski train, more skiing enthusiasts can come to Hohhot (experience) its unique ice and snow culture.
内容包括：1.活动地点；2.活动概况(如写春联、包饺子)；3.活动意义。
注意：1.词数100词左右；2.标题自拟，不计入总词数。
春联Spring Festival couplets
